Agenda and minutes


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Venue: Reception Room, Barnsley Town Hall

Contact: Peter Mirfin  Council Governance Officer

Items
No. Item

1.

Declaration of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

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

2.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting of Central Area Council held on 8th May, 2017 (Cen.03.07.2017/2) pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Minutes:

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 8th May, 2017.

 

Questions were raised regarding feedback on the siting of cameras, and it was noted that this would again be pursued by the Area Council Manager.

 

With regards to the clarity on the policy relating to the replacement of litter bins, Members noted that the Chair would take this forward, meeting with the Cabinet Spokesperson for Place.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 8th May, 2017 be approved as a true and correct record.

3.

Notes of the Ward Alliances - with a brief update from each (Cen.03.07.2017/3) pdf icon PDF 247 KB

 

Central – held on 25th April, and 24th May, 2017

Dodworth – held on 25th April, and 23rd May, 2017

Kingstone – held on 3rd May, 2017

Stairfoot – held on 8th May, 2017

Worsbrough – held on 27th April, 2017

 

Minutes:

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough, Ward Alliances within the Central Area held in April and May, 2017.  Brief feedback was provided by each of the Ward Alliance Chairs.

 

Councillor Clarke provided an update on the work of the Worsbrough Ward Alliance, noting that the priorities for the Alliance had been long standing.  Numerous events had been held to engage the public, including with Green Fingered Wanderers.  An event had been held 2 weeks previously, focusing on residents clearing their own streets, fostering pride in their area.  This had been successful with 10 adults and 10 young people engaged.  The use of the refurbished Dale Park Pavilion by young people had also been encouraged.

 

With regards to Health and Wellbeing, Members heard how winter packs had been distributed in the area, and several other schemes such as yoga and healthy eating courses had been held.  Opportunities had been developed to bring groups together, and an event had been arranged to take place in September to this end. 

 

In addition it was noted that a communications strategy was being developed to target those not accessing services provided, a skills analysis of Ward Alliance Members was also being developed to see how the Alliance could be strengthened.  An analysis of Ward Alliance Expenditure would also take place.

 

Councillor P. Birkinshaw – updated on the work led by the Dodworth Ward Alliance and made Members aware that a number of events had already been held this year, including an Easter Egg Hunt in Gilroyd attended by 80 children.  In May and Enterprise event was held where over 40 business from the ward were in attendance.  Although fewer members of the public attended than was hoped for, but feedback from the event was positive, and it was hope that this could be repeated in future.

 

Members heard of other events held such as the Teddy Bears Picnic, and Dodworth Gala, which had been successful, with events in Penny Pie Park, in Gilroyd and South Road planned to take place during the summer.   The establishment of a number of groups had been supported, which were helping with planting, litter picking and increasing pride in their area.  A concern was raised with regards to the rise of graffiti in the area and it was agreed that the policy for removing graffiti be forwarded to Members.

 

Councillor Johnson provided an update with regards to Stairfoot Ward Alliance.  Highlighted was the success in supporting Barnsley Main Heritage Group, and the progress being made with Stairfoot Station Heritage Group, both helping to support the visitor economy.  CCC (Community, Commerce, and Council) was helping to engage businesses in the community, assisting improvements in the area.

 

Members noted that several events were arranged to take place in July, including the Picnic in the Park, Aldham Gala, and an event in Leslie Road Play area.  Thanks were given to Twiggs Grounds Maintenance for their work in general but specifically for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Report on the Use of Ward Alliance Funds (Cen.03.07.2017/4) pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager drew the attention of Members to the amounts of Ward Alliance Funds allocated.  Members were encouraged to plan ahead, to ensure efficient expenditure within the financial year.

 

RESOLVED:- that the report be noted.

5.

Procurement and Financial Update (Cen.03.07.2017/5) pdf icon PDF 560 KB

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, referring to the table which illustrated the priorities and principles of the Area Council, and how they contributed to the Council’s Corporate Priorities and Outcomes.

 

Members noted the contract with RVS to reduce loneliness and isolation in adults (50+) had commenced and the offer to meet with each of the Ward Alliances within the next 4-6 weeks.  Members questioned whether volunteers would be engaged to run the service, and it was noted that this was the case and case studies of such volunteering would be circulated.

 

The meeting heard how the final monitoring meeting for the previous contract with RVS was still outstanding, and service users would be involved in the review of the contract.

 

The Area Council Manager went on to mention the contract with YMCA to build emotional resilience in children and young people aged 8-14 years.  Members noted the targeted approach being taken, and that two sessions each week were being held in each ward within the area.

 

The four contracts granted through the Youth Resilience Fund were delivering well, and Members noted the arrangements made due to Lifeline Ltd going into administration.  It was suggested that RVS would be promoting intergenerational projects as part of their work.

 

Members were reminded of the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, which had been extended, and would now finish 31 March, 2018.  It was suggested that the future of the service be considered in more depth in the autumn.

 

The meeting heard how it had been agreed that the contract with Kingdom Security would be fundamentally reviewed in the autumn, and decisions made as to whether the service would continue.   Questions were raised about how the service took account of the needs of those in the area whose first language was not English, and their ability to understand either written or spoken word.

 

Members discussed the work conducted under the Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement, noting the vacancies currently existing in the core team, and the corresponding impact on service within the area.

 

The attention of Members was drawn to the financial position of the Area Council, and it was noted that £66,970 remained unallocated within the 2017/18 financial year.  Members also noted the small amounts of finance remaining in future years should existing contracts be renewed at the same level.

 

RESOLVED:-

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

(ii)       That the changes made to the Youth Resilience Fund award originally made to Lifeline Ltd be noted;

(iii)      That the current financial position for 2016/17, and the projected expenditure for 2017/18 – 2019/20 be noted.

6.

Borough-wide Services Delivered Locally - Update (Cen.03.07.2017/6)

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager gave an update on the two service areas previously agreed as those warranting further consideration.  As discussed at the previous meeting, Neighbourhood Services now had systems in place to collect performance information.  A workshop was in the process of being arranged in October to consider this, and it was suggested that each ward should be represented.

 

With regards to Family Support, a similar workshop had been arranged to take place 10th August, and again a representative from each ward was requested.  The outcome from the workshop was scheduled to be reported to the Area Council at the meeting in September, 2017.

 

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

7.

Community Cohesion and Integration (Cen.03.07.2017/7)

 

Tariq Bashir - “Who is your neighbour?”

Minutes:

Tariq Bashir, Project Manager, and Eileen Sanderson, Chair, of ‘Who is your neighbour?’ were welcomed to the meeting.

 

The project had been established in 2010 in South Yorkshire, and was targeting areas where there had been a rise in the BNP.  The project would bring groups of people together to have conversations, air fears, and understand the reasoning behind their views.

 

Numerous examples were given around South Yorkshire where the project had been active.

 

Members commented that there were many groups supporting ethnic minorities in the borough, but that these did not often engage with each other or with other groups.

 

It was noted that the demographic in Barnsley had changed significantly in recent years, and the populations in Kingstone and Central had particularly altered.  It was suggested that the Area Council Manager discusses with colleagues from ‘Who is my neighbour?’, and Members from the Kingstone and Central Wards, how this type of work could be taken forward in these wards, with a view to replicating this in other areas if successful.

 

RESOLVED:-

(i)        That colleagues from ‘Who is your neighbour?’ be thanked for their attendance; and

(ii)       That the Area Council Manager discusses with Members and relevant officers how the project could be taken forward in the Central and Kingstone Wards.

 

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