Off Site Youth Provision

Photograph courtesy of Troy Tanska

The redevelopment of Symes Avenue will provide new money for off-site youth provision.

Local groups and organisations involved in the delivery of services for young people were invited to apply for this funding. Application forms and Guidance (Word 97) were produced by the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership, who are managing the application process. The deadline for submission of applications was 30 June 2005.

Following appraisal by HWCP, recommendations were made to the Symes Avenue Steering Group. The projects which will receive funding are:

• Blenheim Scouts - training of Scout Leaders
  
• The CORE Project - contribution to new Multi-Use Games Area
  
• Spacemakers Project - money for maintenance of new public open space
  
• St Andrews Church - detached youth work
  

The funding criteria were:

1. The main focus of any funded project must be the delivery of services for young people between the ages of 11-19 years and all relevant OFSTED requirements must be met.
   
2. Any proposal must reasonably relate to the Symes Avenue redevelopment. It must therefore be within close proximity to the site. It is considered that this is best defined by a walking distance catchment area. Within the Bristol Local Plan such an area is set by a distance of 400 metres.
   
3. Projects funded by this contribution can be capital or revenue based. With revenue projects funding will only be available for a maximum of three years, with allowances for inflation. The starting date for such projects must be no earlier than the commencement of development on the Symes Avenue site and no later that the commencement of trading of the Morrison's store. Capital projects may need to include provision for future maintenance requirements.
   
4. All applicants will be expected to meet, or be working towards meeting (through BCC Community Development), the Baseline Standards of Bristol City Council, including a demonstrable commitment to best practice in terms of adopting and implementing equal opportunities policies.
   
5. Projects must provide evidence of local need and demonstrate how such needs will be met.
   
6. As of the date of the signed Section 106 agreement for Symes Avenue, any existing organisation based within the 400 metre catchment area which delivers services to local young people will be eligible for funding.
   
7. All the funding will need to be spent within five years from the date of the Section 106 agreement is signed.