Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 6^th July, 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 6^th July, 2015 be approved as a true and correct record.

Members received a presentation from Andrea Battye and Christie Mc Farlane from YMCA about the programme being delivered to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 8-12 years in the Central Area.

The meeting heard of the variety of activities undertaken, which offered new experiences, promoted the development of new skills, and helped to build the confidence of young people.  This included Minecraft Club, outdoor experiences, environmental projects, dance workshops, sport, team games,  and free play amongst other things.

Members heard how the project had been shaped through consultation with young people to ensure delivery was best suited to their needs.

The meeting heard how the project had recruited and trained a number of young volunteers and peer supporters, who had been integral to the success of the project.  Members also heard how 90 young people had also successfully completed the IKIC award as part of their engagement with the project.

Members questioned the backgrounds of children engaged by the project and which ward they were from.  It was noted that, due to the existing networks of the YMCA, young people from a variety of backgrounds engaged with the project and from across the Central Area.

Questions were raised about which activities and venues were used, and it was noted that certain areas had historically not been best served in terms of provision, which in part was due to the lack of appropriate venues. Members were made aware that the contract was extremely flexible,  this allowed the team to respond to any concerns and to comments from young people, moving location and varying activities to suit.

Thanks were given by Central Area Council members for the hard work of YMCA staff and the positive impact the project had made.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager, who referred to the report circulated.  The report proposed that the reporting cycle of contracts be aligned so that each contract would report on a quarterly basis, aligned to the standard quarters in the financial year.  A cumulative report would then be brought to the next Area Council meeting after the end of the quarter.

The meeting considered the proposed process to be used for the ‘Check and Challenge’ exercises, with that relating to the Targeted Youth Support Service to be started around November, 2015 and Neighbourhood Services in September, 2015.  Members expressed concern as to whether deadlines for providing information would be adhered to, and it was agreed that if they were not, this could then be escalated.

To progress a ‘Check and Challenge’ exercise relating to schools, it was suggested that the Cabinet Spokesperson for People be invited to a future meeting of the Area Council.

With regards to considering fly tipping, Members heard how the Scrutiny Commission would be considering this topic.  The meeting also discussed whether Police response times may be an area for further consideration.  The Area Chair agreed to raise this with colleagues to ascertain whether this was an issue specific to the area or experienced elsewhere in the borough before progressing.

With any ‘Check and Challenge’ exercise being undertaken, it was agreed that the relevant Cabinet spokesperson ought to be made aware.

RESOLVED:-

i) that the proposed changes in performance reporting against contracts, service level agreements, Working Together Fund projects, and other programmes be approved;

ii) that the process to be used for ‘Check and Challenge’ exercises be noted; and

iii) that the scope of the ‘Check and Challenge’ exercise for the Targeted Youth Support Service and Neighbourhood Services be approved.

iv) that to progress a ‘Check and Challenge’ exercise relating to schools, the Cabinet Spokesperson for People be invited to a future meeting of the Area Council.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager who drew attention to the progress made against each of the priorities of the Area Council.  

With regards to Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People, it was noted that discussions were taking place with relevant officers regarding health information for the area.  Once the information is received it was suggested that it may be appropriate to invite the Health and Wellbeing Manager to attend a meeting of Central Area Council to discuss where resources could be most effectively used to address health related issues.

Members noted that the contract with Kingdom Security had successfully been extended until 31^st March, 2016, and the Private Sector Housing Management SLA was now well underway.

The meeting noted that only £65,000 of the Core Assets contract had been spent.  After the Target Youth Support Service summer programme, approximately £126,000 remained still allocated to this priority.  Members noted that, with income from fixed penalty notices, this resulted in £104,473 remaining unallocated in the current financial year, and £354,683 in 2016/17.

Members discussed a proposal, circulated under appendix 2 of the report, to address the Health and Wellbeing of Young People aged 13-19.  It was noted that a working group had been convened to consider the best way forward.  A number of steps were proposed, which would hopefully lead to provision being delivered from early January, 2016.

The proposal contained five steps:-

1 – to establish a stakeholder group to identify needs and develop a framework for the young people’s programme.  The membership of the group was discussed, including the merits of including  someone to represent churches in the area. Whilst Members did not wish to support any religion over another, it was recognised that many youth clubs and groups are organised through local churches.

2 – to hold a stakeholder/provider workshop session.  The session would help foster collaboration and innovation, identify and make plans to address local challenges and encourage a joint way forward to deliver the programme.

3 – inviting proposals to meet the identified need.  Organisations would be invited to put forward proposals with timescales for delivery and associated costings.

4 – agreeing successful proposals.  A number of options were discussed, which included holding a participatory budgeting exercise, and convening a small evaluation panel.  The meeting discussed this issue in some depth and it was suggested that one member from each Ward Alliance, with knowledge or experience in this area, be invited to take part in an evaluation panel.  It was acknowledged that this could be an Elected Member or Community Representative.  The panel would then make recommendations, which could be brought back to the Area Council for final approval, or this could be delegated to an officer.

Members noted that, following the meeting of the stakeholder group and the workshop, a report with further detail would be submitted to next meeting of the Area Council

5 – programme implementation and performance management.  It was suggested that projects would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Central – held on 3^rd June, 2015

Dodworth – held on 23^rd June, 2015

Kingstone – held on 13^th July, 2015

Stairfoot – held on 8^th June, 2015

Worsbrough – held on 11^th June, 2015

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Ward Alliances within the Central Area held in June and July, 2015.

RESOLVED that the notes and feedback from the Ward Alliances be received.

The meeting received a report detailing expenditure from the Devolved Ward Budget and Ward Alliance Funds for the year to 12^th August, 2015.  It was noted that significant amounts of finance remained unallocated, and Members were urged to accelerate project development to make use of finance where possible.

RESOLVED  that the report be noted.