Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest due to his membership of the YMCA, in so far as minute 18 related to this.

Members received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 4^th September, 2017.

With regards to the complete list of sites currently under surveillance by CCTV it was noted that this had not yet been received, but would be forwarded to Members once available.  Similarly the results of the audit of litter bins would also be forwarded once complete.

Members were made aware that RVS were engaging in an intergenerational event in Worsbrough Dale Park on 2^nd December, 2017.

The Chair updated Members on discussions with the Head of Safer Barnsley, in relation to staff employed under the Private Sector Rented Housing Enforcement Service Level Agreement.  Assurances were given that officers funded by the Area Council worked solely within the Area, and that although the core service had not yet recruited a full complement of officers, a service was still provided to the Central Area by other members of the core team.

Members still expressed concern at how the triaging of issues was operated, and how work was assigned to the core, or Area Council teams.  It was suggested that representation from the Safer Barnsley Team be invited to give a brief presentation to provide clarity.

An update was given in relation to the extension of the Environmental Enforcement Contract, and the conditions imposed.  The Area Council Manager made Members aware that all bar one of the four conditions could be implemented.  The fourth condition related to the use of body cameras in order to record offences taking place, and it was noted that this could not easily be implemented due to regulations around surveillance.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 4^th September, 2017 be approved as a true and correct record;

(ii)          That a representative from the Safer Barnsley Team be invited to a future meeting of the Area Council to give details of the triage process and how work is assigned to the core and Area Council funded officers.

The Area Council Manager presented the performance management report for the quarter two period from July – September, 2017.  There was overall satisfaction with the performance of services funded by the Area Council, and Members noted the cumulative overview of performance provided.

A brief overview of each of the services was then provided by the Area Council Manager. 

With regards to the contract with Royal Voluntary Service, it was noted that the majority of the performance was rated as ‘green’, with only one issue relating to additional information which had not, as yet, been provided.  Within the quarter, 126 new individuals had been engaged, with 21 of these being referred from ‘My Best Life’.

Members noted that 9 new adult volunteers had been engaged, these and other volunteers continued supporting 30 beneficiaries from the previous contract.  Members requested that tracking be increased so that the destination of beneficiaries is known once they are introduced to community groups and activities.

The contract with YMCA was considered, and it was noted that all areas of performance were rated as ‘green’.  60 sessions had been delivered during the quarter with 31 new children aged 8-14 participating for over 6 hours.  Members noted that a self-assessment framework was currently being developed by participants and that this would help to show the progression individuals had made.

The overall satisfaction with the contract with Kingdom Security was positive, with all performance indicators rated as ‘green’.  Within the quarter 229 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for littering and dog fouling, together with a further 11 Car Parking Notices.  Members acknowledged the targeted dog fouling operations undertaken, where the presence of officers had acted as a deterrent, and the ‘Bin it to win it’ initiative, which provided the chance to win a prize for people acting responsibly.

Though it was noted that patrols were conducted equitably across the wards in the area, notices issued were unevenly spread.  The Area Council Manager agreed to distribute the breakdown of notices by ward to interested Members.

Those present heard about the performance of the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, and it was noted that all areas of performance were rated as ‘green’.  Within the quarter approximately 248 additional pieces of work had been completed and Twiggs had led 10 social action projects and supported 9 Central Area Team led projects.   Members also noted that two new work experience placements had also been supported within the quarter.

Members discussed the Private Sector Housing and Enforcement SLA, noting that the service had engaged with a further 219 properties within the quarter.   Since the start of the service, 2,335 properties had been visited, with over 850 having 3 or more contacts.  The service had dealt with a number of complex cases, and other organisations had been engaged where relevant. 

Six referrals had been received by the Private Rented Housing Home Visiting Service, and 10 families were being supported on an ongoing basis by volunteers.  It was noted that two new adult volunteers had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The report was introduced by the Area Council Manager.  Members were reminded of the ability of Area Councils to consider local issues relating to services other than those commissioned by the Area Council within their terms of reference.  To this end two workshop sessions had recently been held, one with officers from Neighbourhood Services, and another with staff from Early Help/Family Centre Services.

The Chair went on to speak about the workshop with Neighbourhood Services, which was believed to be productive and conducive to building a partnership approach between the service and the Area Council.  Highlighted were a number of areas of concern such as:- the schedules for emptying litter bins; shrub maintenance; and how fly-tipping was dealt with.

A number of recommendations had been arrived at, which were attached as appendix 3 of the report.  Members discussed the positive service delivered by Neighbourhood Services in removing fly-tipping quickly; however the undesired impact of encouraging further fly-tipping was noted and the need to consider this in more detail for the area acknowledged.   Members noted that the problem was associated with Private Sector Housing in the area, and particularly linked to HMOs.

Councillor Clarke gave feedback on the workshop held with colleagues from Early Help/Family Centre Services, as at appendix 4. A number of concerns had been raised, including why certain centres were operating under capacity.  Issues around the current take up of places for 2 year olds in the area were also discussed, however it was noted that the service was still in its infancy, and that more time may be required to fully judge its effectiveness.

Members noted the feedback from the workshop, and recommendations as part of the appendices, and the future areas for consideration.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            The update regarding the role of Area Council role to consider local issues identified about the delivery of area-based services and borough-wide services provided locally, within the framework as previously agreed be noted;

(ii)          The local service delivery reports for Neighbourhood Services, and Early Help/Family Centre Service be received and the recommendations contained within be endorsed;

(iii)         That the future service areas for consideration be approved.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, referring to the overview of all contracts, together with their timescales.

For the service to ‘Create a cleaner and greener environment in partnership with local people’ also known as the ‘Clean and Green Service’, Members were reminded of the decision to review the service in autumn 2017, in advance of the contract end date of March 2018.

Similarly the Home Visiting Service, and the Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement Service were also scheduled to come to an end on 31^st March, 2018.  Both were also scheduled for review in autumn 2017.

With regards to the ‘Clean and Green Service’, Members acknowledged the progress made under the previous item, and also noted the review taking place within Neighbourhood Services.  It was suggested that it would be better to review the ‘Clean and Green Service’ in light of the outcome of these pieces of work.  To avoid any possible breaks in service, it was suggested that the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance be extended for a further 6 months to allow this to take place.

In relation to the Private Sector Housing Management and Enforcement Service, Members acknowledged that the Safer Neighbourhood Service was still in its infancy.  Also noted was the imminent appointment of Housing and Migration Officers as part of Barnsley’s Controlling Migration Fund.  Due to their potential impact it was suggested that the review be postponed, and the current service be extended for a further 6 months.

Members also noted that, as previously discussed, the Family Centre Service was still relatively new and therefore it was difficult to identify gaps for investment under the ‘Family Support’ priority.  Following discussion it was suggested that, in order to ensure families were still supported in the interim, the Homestart Home Visiting Service be extended for a further 6 months.

The Area Council Manager drew the attention of Members to the financial information, as attached in appendices 1 and 2.  It was noted that for the 2017/18 financial year approximately £66,000 remained unallocated.  If this was to be carried forward to 2018/19 this would leave around £124,000 for allocation, taking into account likely expenditure and that already committed.  However, it was recognised that Members may wish to further devolve some of the Area Council budget to Ward Alliance Funds in the future.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            that the overview of Central Area Council’s current contracts and timescales be noted;

(ii)          that authorisation be given to the Executive Director, Communities, to complete necessary paperwork in order to waive the relevant contract procedure rules to allow the extension of the ‘Clean and Green’ contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance Ltd for six months from 1^st April, 2018 at a cost of £42,500;

(iii)         That a review of the ‘Clean and Green’ Service be undertaken in Winter/Spring 2017/18;

(iv)         That the SLA to provide a Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement Service be extended for a further six months from 1^st April, 2018, at a cost of £39,000;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Central – held on 26^th July, and 27^th September, 2017

Dodworth – held on 22^nd August, and 26^th September, 2017

Kingstone – held on 11^th October, 2017

Stairfoot – held on 11^th September, and 9^th October, 2017

Worsbrough – held on 16^th August and 18^th September, 2017

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough Ward Alliances within the Central Area held in July, August, September and October, 2017.

Councillor Williams took the opportunity to recognise the work of the Friends of Locke Park. Over the summer, two major events had been organised with in excess of 10,000 visitors at each, many from outside the borough. Over 40 charities were also supported.  It was acknowledged that this asset benefitted all the residents in Barnsley, and other wards were encouraged to contribute financially to it where possible.

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

The report was discussed in brief.  The amounts remaining for allocation were noted, however it was acknowledged that a number of Ward Alliances had met since the publishing of the report in order and had recommended a number of applications for approval.

All Ward Alliances were progressing similarly in allocating their Ward Alliance Fund finance.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.