Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest of a pecuniary or non-pecuniary nature from Members in respect of the items on this agenda.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 July 2022.

To consider any communications to be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.

To pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, and receive reflections from Members of the Council on recent events.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:- That the outcomes of the Joint Targeted Local Area Inspection be considered.

The Executive Director will submit a report seeking to appoint Mr D Waxman and Mrs K Widdowson as independent persons under the member code of conduct.

The Executive Director Core Services will submit the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report to inform the Council of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2021-22 and to publish the report for the public as evidence of local authority as well as partner agency decision makers being held to account.

Appointment to Outside Bodies

Berneslai Homes Board

Proposed – Councillor Osborne for a term of three years

To consider any questions which may have been received from Elected Members and which are asked pursuant to Standing Order No. 11.

a)    Councillor P Fielding

‘What steps is the Council taking to replace the Council houses lost in the recent fires on Woodland Drive?’

b)    Councillor Crisp

‘Given the inevitable cost pressures that the council must be suffering, how will the council balance this year’s budget?’

c)    Councillor Kitching

‘The new Conservative Prime Minister, Liz Truss, has clearly indicated her intention to reverse the laws banning fracking, despite ongoing concerns about the risks associated with this practice. 

Under the new legislation, would Barnsley Council pursue licences for fracking operations on its own land?’

d)    Councillor W Fielding

‘We were all shocked and disappointed to read the news in the Chronicle about the children’s home that has received another inadequate OFSTED rating.  

Could the Cabinet Member please give his perspective on how this happened and what steps are now being put into place to both improve the situation and to stop this from happening again? In giving his answer could the Cabinet Member please detail when he expects the restriction of accommodation to be lifted so that further vulnerable children can be safely accommodated in this setting?’

Proposer – Councillor Denton

Seconder – Councillor Wray

This Council notes:

a)    The ongoing cost of living crisis is dramatically impacting the people of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough, and is predicted to get worse.

b)    The impact of fuel and heating prices, a major contributor to the cost-of-living crisis, has pushed residents into fuel poverty, and has resulted in some people stopping heating their homes – resulting in worsening physical and mental health, and reducing the productivity of workers and educational outcomes of children.

c)    Despite limited measures recently introduced by the government, the £2500 cap is still over double the amount many residents were paying last year.

d)    Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council has a duty and responsibility to continue to do all within its means to reduce the financial burden on its residents, as well as to protect their health and wellbeing.

Therefore, this Council will instruct the Chief Executive to:

       i.       Develop a deliverable plan to ensure residents of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have reasonable free-of-charge access to a “Community Warm Space” this winter, reducing reliance on their own heating, and thereby reducing their energy costs.

      ii.      Work with ward councillors to generate a list of suitable locations for this purpose, using existing public and appropriate private buildings across the borough to limit the need for residents to travel a significant distance.

     iii.       Where possible, work with other bodies to also provide further relevant advice and support within these Community Warm Spaces.

    iv.       Make these “Community Warm Spaces” open and available for as much time as is reasonably practicable.

Furthermore, this Council resolves that funding for these Community Warm Spaces will come from existing budgets and reserves, and that the plan will be developed, published and implemented as soon as possible.