Agenda and minutes

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

Members received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 14^th May, 2018.

The Area Council Manager thanked Members for forwarding their views on the scope of the exercise to consider Berneslai Homes services provided in the area.  Feedback had been arranged into themes, and the scope of the exercise would be more fully developed following meetings with relevant officers within Berneslai Homes.  This would then be reported back to the next meeting of the Area Council.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 14^th May, 2018 be approved as a true and correct record.

Joe Hale, Natalie Dunn, and Lisa Bough were welcomed to the meeting to provide a presentation on My Best Life.  The borough-wide social prescribing service offered an alternative approach for primary and secondary care services, helped to connect communities, and empowered individuals to self-manage their own health.

Members were made aware of the referral criteria, which included frequent attendance at a GP or other health care service, long term conditions, and poor mental wellbeing affected by social circumstances.

An overview was given of the support provided which included assistance with housing, money, accessing work and volunteering, emotional wellbeing and healthy lifestyles.

My Best Life had been operational for a year, and Members heard how there had been 270 referrals within the Central Area, with all GPs surgeries referring to the scheme.  Since the service commenced there had been a 17% reduction in GP appointments, with 4.5 hours of support provided to each client.

Further information was presented in relation to the High Intensity Group, each of which had an average of 10 GP visits prior to referral and 4.2 after.  This group represented 16% of clients, but 65% of advisor time.

From the monitoring undertaken 17% of those providing information reported an increase in feeling optimistic, 17% reported feeling more relaxed and 20% reported an increase in keeping learning.  Members noted the high proportion of clients feeling they were more aware of support services, and were more able to manage their own health needs and conditions.  Also noted was the diverse range of agencies where clients were referred for additional support.

Members noted, and discussed, the challenges specifically faced in the Central Area, which included the need for emotional wellbeing support to be provided in the longer term, the financial pressures faced, the lack of advocacy and tenancy support, and the prevalence of issues of working age men who were facing multiple issues.

A number of case studies were referred to, which served to highlight the issues faced by user of the service, and the praise given to the service by those in receipt of support.

Members discussed the findings, noting that one of the early Central Area Council commissions had sought to engage GPs to refer those feeling isolated for support.  It was acknowledged that overall, more women had been engaged than men, but within the Central Area those defined as the hi-intensity group were often male.

With regards to young families, Members heard how only a small number had been engaged, with much of the client group being elderly or single people.

In relation to targets, for the whole of the service an annual target of 600 per year existed, yet 1144 individuals had been engaged within the first year.

Members praised the work of My Best Life and the importance of the CCG supporting a model of social prescribing

RESOLVED that the officers be thanked for their attendance and the content of the presentation be noted.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager who brought attention to the challenges in the Central Area identified by My Best Life. 

Members noted that a number of Area Council commissions were already addressing many of the issues identified.  Of concern were the numbers of working age males identified requiring support, and Members discussed the option of varying the RVS contract to consider this demographic.  The meeting concluded that this was not the focus of the work of RVS and that ongoing monitoring of the issue ought to be undertaken in order to have a better understanding of the magnitude of the situation, which could then be discussed at a future meeting of the Area Council.

The finite budget was also noted, as was the need to prioritise in order to ensure the impact of the Area Council was maximised.

The Area Council went on to provide an update on the current position with regards to the contract with Homestart since notice was received that they would cease delivery from 31^st May, 2018.  As payment was in arrears, a payment of £2,700 was outstanding from the Central Area Council.  Members were made aware that Homestart had been in receipt of a grant of £2,210 from North Area Council, which was to be repaid.  Following discussions with relevant parties, it was agreed that the £2,210 owing to BMBC be waived in lieu of the £2,700 owed to Homestart, therefore £2,210 had been paid from Central Area Council to North Area Council.

Members noted that a group, previously supported by Homestart volunteers, continued to meet at Hope House Church.  Currently any costs were being waived, however it was suggested that monies be set aside to support the maintenance of this group in the short term, a figure of £800 was suggested, and appropriate monitoring would take place.

In relation to the SLA to provide support for new tenants in low cost private rented sector housing, Members heard how a recent recruitment exercise had not been fruitful, and the relevant post not been filled.   The post had been re-advertised with an appropriate boost through social media.

In relation to the Clean and Green priority, Members were reminded that the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had been extended but was due to finish at the end of January 2019, in addition the contract with Kingdom Security was due to come to an end in March, 2019.  Therefore it was suggested that a workshop be held to review this priority, with feedback being received at the September meeting of the Area Council.

In light of the timescales related to undertaking any procurement activity following the review it was suggested that the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance be extended to 31^st March, 2019 at a cost of £21,250.

Feedback was provided in relation to the Flytipping Education and Enforcement Service, with a workshop being held to consider relevant details.  It was suggested that the approach would be to proactively targeting household  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Central – held on 25^th April, and 23^rd May, 2018

Dodworth – held on 17^th April, and 22^nd May, 2018

Kingstone – held on 16^th May, 2018

Stairfoot – held on 14^th May, and 11^th June, 2018

Worsbrough – held on 18^th April, and 23^rd May, 2018

The meeting received the notes of the following Ward Alliance meetings:-

 Central, held on 25^th April and 23^rd May, 2018; Dodworth, held on 17^th April and 22^nd May, 2018; Kingstone, held on 16^th May, 2018; Stairfoot, held on 14^th May and 11^th June, 2018; and Worsbrough, held on 18^th April, and 23^rd May, 2018.

A representative from each Ward Alliance was asked to provide a brief overview of their work.

Councillor D. Birkinshaw provided a brief update on the Central Ward Alliance and it was noted that there were a number of outstanding pieces of work still needing to be completed. It was hoped that any issues could be rectified in order that these be completed within timescales.

Feedback on the Dodworth Ward Alliance was provided by Councillor P. Birkinshaw who made the meeting aware that the membership of the group was now more comprehensive and diverse.  A number of events had been held over the year, two of which had been aimed at engaging businesses in the area as part of a strategic approach to improving the local economy, which included working with the Principal Towns Project.

In addition a number of other events had been held, including Dodworth Musical Festival, Summer Sporting Fun, Station Road Play Area Family Fun Day, and various litter picks throughout the ward.

Councillor Williams provided an update on the Kingstone Ward Alliance, which had recently strengthened its membership and had established subgroups which met in-between Ward Alliance meetings.  The Ward Alliance produced 3 annual newsletters, making residents aware of what had been arranged within the Ward.  A health day, aimed at young families, had been held in June and had been a success, with a further planned for October, but aimed at more mature residents. 

Kingstone and Worsbrough Ward Alliances had jointly sponsored a project for Young Entrepreneurs, with awards being held at Tankersley Manor.  Of 12 awards, schools in Barnsley won 9.

Kingstone Ward Alliance had also supported many local groups with their galas, and had promoted the Ward Alliance and what was happening in the area.

An update on the work of the Stairfoot Ward Alliance was provided by Councillor W. Johnson who reminded Members of the Clean and Climb event, which brought agencies and residents together to undertake environmental improvements and network.  The event was successful so the event was subsequently repeated.  A number of other environmental days had been held, including around Bank Street.

A future, past, and present information evening had been held, which was successful, and a Stairfoot Social Evening had been organised to showcase the work of groups in the area, and to consult on Principal Towns plans.

Many other engagement events had been held including Aldham House Summer Gala, Friends of Stairfoot Easter Fun Day, and the Picnic in the Park.

Councillor Clarke provided an update on the work of the Ward Alliance.  Over the past 12-18 months a ‘holiday hunger’ scheme had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager.  Members were made aware of the financial position of each of the Ward Alliance Funds:-

Central Ward Alliance had £17,860.29 remaining from an opening balance of £20,000;

Dodworth Ward Alliance had £16,974.95 left to allocate from a starting balance of £20,685;

Kingstone Ward Alliance had £15,749 remaining from an opening balance of £23,418;

Stairfoot Ward Alliance had £17,661 left to allocated from a starting balance of £20,975;

Worsbrough Ward Alliance had £21,332.46 to allocate compared to £22,874 at the start of the financial year.

RESOLVED that the report be received.