Agenda item

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager, referring to the report circulated.

It was noted that there had not been a contract monitoring meeting with Growforest since the previous meeting, but there was still some more informal feedback from the project.

The feedback continued to be positive, with Tom Handley attending the recent Ward Alliance meeting to provide an update on recent activity.  It was noted that the current commission would finish in at the end of March, 2016 but Growforest had been looking for continuation funding from alternative sources.

Members noted the recent work to repair prominent walls on public land in the Area and heard of the links made with the Integrated Youth Support Service and work on the Forest Schools programme locally.

The meeting discussed linkages with the Trans-Pennine Trail (TPT) and it was noted that the project did work with the TPT, as would the Clean and Tidy Commission.

Members noted the official start date of 1^st November, 2015 for the ‘Clean and Tidy’ commission.  The meeting heard how the contract would run for 18 months, but with appropriate break clauses.   Requests from Parish Councils for the service had already been received and it was acknowledged that the service would be distributed equitably across the area.  Members heard how a scheme to engage volunteers in keeping the area clean and tidy would be launched imminently.

With regards to the Working Together Fund, three expressions of interest had been received and were due to be considered by the panel imminently.

The meeting considered the current financial position for the Area Council, with £106,610 left unallocated for 2015/16 and £124,783 for 2016/17.

Members discussed the potential of funding a project or projects to assist older, isolated or vulnerable people.  It was suggested that the Area Team provides support to further develop the projects suggested.

The meeting noted that the Area Manager was working with officers from Barnsley Business Innovation Centre (BBIC) in order to develop a proposal to address the economic priority.

RESOLVED:-

i) that the update on the work of the Countryside Skills Training Commission be received;

ii) that the proposed start date of the Clean and Tidy Commission be noted;

iii) that the current financial situation of the Area Council be noted.