Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item by giving an update on a number of projects funded by the Area Council.

Members noted that the signs ‘This area is maintained by volunteers’ had been ordered and the placement of them had been discussed at the Tidy Team steering group. It was noted that the signs wouldl be erected by the Tidy Team at the agreed locations over the forthcoming few months.

It was noted that Youth Asset Mapping events had been planned for April and May, with results from the full mapping exercise to be presented to the Area Council in June, 2016.

Members noted that the Health Asset Mapping event would now be held on 16^th June, 2016 at the Rockingham Centre.

The meeting heard how discussions with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service & the Integrated Youth Support Service had suggested that a cadet scheme may take up to two years to establish and therefore insufficient time was available to set up the scheme properly within existing Area Council budget timescales.  It was noted that support could be given to interested individuals to access provision currently provided in Cudworth.

Members heard that the ARC course would commence on 13^th June, 2016, and a suggestion was made to repeat this course in the autumn as an alternative to funding the cadets provision.

Following discussion at the February meeting of the Area Council, costs to deliver a training course on Social Return on Investment for South Area Council and the South Area Team staff, and to perform an analysis of all South Area Council projects had been sought. The figure for this would be £2,975.

The meeting went on to consider a proposal to extend a programme called ‘Lifeskills’ which was being arranged by Berneslai Homes and the Integrated Youth Support Service.  The programme had been developed following consultation with young people and would cover such topics as citizenship, DIY, and how to pay bills.  It was noted that Berneslai Homes had committed £2,000 to the project, but that if the Area Council matched this amount, the project could be expanded and more young people would therefore benefit.  It was suggested that the programme be held in venues away from schools in order to increase the likelihood of young people engaging.

Following on from discussions earlier in the meeting, Members discussed private sector housing management and a proposal to use Area Council finance to employ an officer though a service level agreement.  This was unanimously supported.

Members noted that, should the projects discussed be supported, approximately £18,000 remained for the 2016/17 financial year.

RESOLVED that:-

(i)        The progress of projects under development be noted;

(ii)       That approval be given to hold training events on Social Return on Investment and undertake further analysis of South Area Council, to a value of £2,975,

(iii)      That a further Achieving Respect and Confidence course be held in the autumn at a cost of £5,000;

(iv)     That £2,000 be allocated to provide match funding to hold a ‘Lifeskills’ programme;

(v)       That an SLA with BMBC Community Safety and Enforcement be entered into to provide a Private Sector Housing Management and Enforcement Service           at a cost of £32,000 for a 12 month period.