Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 28 in his capacity as a member of YMCA insofar as discussion related to the organisation.

Councillor D. Green declared a pecuniary interest in minute 28 due to her employment by Lifeline, insofar as discussion related to her employer.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 14^th November, 2016.

Feedback was provided in relation to the responsibilities for replacing litter bins, and this was discussed in some detail, with Members having had differing experiences from the service.  It was suggested that the Area Council Chair contacts the Cabinet Spokesperson and Executive Director of Place to request a copy of the policy on the replacement of litter bins.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 14^th November, 2016 be approved as a true and correct record;

(ii)       that the Area Council Chair writes to the Cabinet Spokesperson and Executive Director of Place to request a copy of the policy on the replacement of litter bins.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item referring to the recent procurement of a service to ‘Build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’.  It was noted that the tender evaluation panel had met to initially score applications, with three organisations subsequently being invited to interview.  Members were made aware that a preferred provider had been identified, but that the process was still in a standstill period, and therefore details about the provider could not be made public.  It was likely that the service would commence 1^st April, 2017.

With regards to engaging local providers to deliver a complementary service to build emotional resilience, it was noted that the promotional material would be disseminated in January, with a view to evaluating applications by mid-March, 2017.  It was agreed for any promotional material to be circulated to Members for them to cascade through their networks.

Members went on to consider the progress made to meeting the priority to reduce loneliness and isolation in vulnerable adults and older people.  A task group had met on 24^th November, 2016 to consider the draft business case for a service to reduce isolation in the target group.  Following the meeting a revised business case had been developed, which had been circulated with the Area Council meeting papers.  The meeting discussed the business case in depth, debating whether the age group of 50+ was still appropriate or whether this would result in too large a group, resulting in the dilution of the impact of the service.

It was noted that the business case built on the service currently being provided by RVS, but also included the establishment of groups where a number of individuals needs were similar and where no group currently existed.  Members wished to stress the requirement to ensure that any intervention was focused on the needs of the individual.  Also stressed was the need to ensure the sustainability of any intervention in the long term.

It was noted that, due to the short timescales, and wanting the service to follow on directly from that provided by RVS, the report recommended that the final agreement of a specification of requirements and procurement strategy be delegated to the Executive Director in consultation with members of the task group.  This was discussed, together with the alternative option of holding an extraordinary meeting to consider the procurement documentation.

Members considered the current financial situation for the Area Council, noting that there were a number of allocations projected in future years from existing contracts that could be extended if Members so wished.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the outcome of the procurement process to deliver a service to ‘Build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’ be noted;

(ii)       that the progress made in taking forward the process to identify additional local providers to deliver complementary services to build emotional resilience in children and young people aged 8-19 years be noted;

(iii)      that the business case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Area Council Manager made the meeting aware that the revised date for the Celebration Event was Thursday 23^rd March, 2017 at 6.30pm, and due to the numbers involved this was likely to be held at Barnsley Metrodome.  The event was intended to celebrate the work of the Area Council and Ward Alliances in the area, and an awards ceremony to recognise the hard work in the area would also be held.

As part of the event it was suggested that there would be presentations highlighting the youth collaboration work taking place.

Members noted that the Area Council Manager would circulate details of the event and award categories in due course.

RESOLVED that feedback on the arrangements for a celebration event for Central Area Council be noted.

Central – held on 26^th October, and 23^rd November, 2016

Dodworth – held on 9^th November, 2016

Kingstone – held on 2^nd November, and 14^th December, 2016

Stairfoot – held on 21^st November, 2016

Worsbrough – held on 3^rd November, 2016

The meeting received the notes from Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough Ward Alliances.

Members discussed the relocation of CCTV cameras, noting the considerable investment in the technology over a number of years.  It was suggested that there was a lack of clarity regarding the costs and process for relocating the cameras.  It was agreed that the Chair writes to the Head of Safer Barnsley to request the confirmation of the policy.

For Central Ward Alliance Councillor Bruff made the meeting aware that the Alliance was now taking a more strategic approach.  Training in safeguarding, and DBS checks had been offered to any groups in the area involved with children and young people.  Assistance was also available for people interested in taking part in youth work courses.

Councillor Williams provided feedback in relation to Kingstone Ward Alliance, noting that they had recently provided a number of short courses with Worsbrough and Stairfoot Ward Alliances including for first aid and food hygiene.  It was thought that these would assist organisations in the area, and also improve the skills and employability of those attending.

Kingstone Ward Alliance was also looking to work with residents in the area to adopt small green spaces or ‘pocket parks’ and look after them.

With regards to Dodworth Ward Alliance, Councillor P. Birkinshaw made Members aware that the Alliance was working with BBIC to plan an event focused on local businesses. The event, to take place at Horizon Community College, would showcase local businesses as well as highlighting potential job opportunities.

Councillor W. Johnson told Members about the recent events to commemorate the Oaks Mining Disaster, which had generated a great deal of interest in the Ward and in the town as a whole.

For Worsbrough Ward Alliance Councillor Clarke provided an update.  As recent litter picks had not been as well attended as previously, the Alliance was investigating the idea of closing certain streets to hold clean up events alongside ‘playing out’ events.  Members noted that the ‘Flavours of Christmas’ event had been very well attended, and thanks were given to the Central Area Team for their support.

RESOLVED

(i)     that the notes from the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot, and Worsbrough Ward Alliances held in October, November and December be received;

(ii)    that the feedback from each of the Ward Alliances in the area be received.

The meeting considered the report highlighting the use of Ward Alliance Funds by each of the five Ward Alliances from the beginning of the financial year to date.

Members were reminded of the previous agreement to return any additional finance devolved from the Area Council to the Ward Alliance should this not be spent by 31^st July, 2017.

RESOLVED that the report be received.