Agenda item

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;

(v)          That a review of the Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement Service be undertaken in Winter/Spring 2017/18;

(vi)         That the contract with Homestart to provide a Home Visiting Service be extended for a further six months from April, 2018 at a cost of £12,000;

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