Agenda

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 27 March 2025.

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

All reports detailed below are subject to Cabinet recommendation. The Cabinet Spokesperson for the Service in question will respond to any comments or amendments concerning these.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:-

1.    That the quorums for each committee be updated in the council’s Standing Orders to account for the reduced committee membership as follows:

a)     That Standing Order 22 (1) be updated to read: “Business will not be transacted at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee unless not fewer than one third of the Committee’s membership is present. Business will not be transacted at the Licensing and Planning Regulatory Boards unless 6 members are present and at the Standards Regulatory Board unless 4 members are present. At any meeting of a Sub-Committee or Panel business will not be transacted unless not fewer than 3 Members are present.

b)     That points (3) and (4) of Standing Order 34 be updated to read: “(3) the authority will appoint a panel to consider the allegations made against an officer that might lead to their dismissal and appoint an investigator to undertake an investigation into the allegations and report to the panel on possible actions. (4) The authority must invite relevant independent persons to be considered for appointment to that Panel, with a view to appointing at least two such persons to that Panel.” And points (9) and (10) be updated to read: “(9) Before the taking of a vote at the relevant meeting on whether or not to approve recommend to full Council such a dismissal, the panel appointed for the purpose by the authority must take into account, in particular: (a) the conclusions of any investigation into the proposed dismissal; and (b) any representations from the relevant officer. (10) Any recommendation of dismissal by the panel shall be subject to approval by full Council.”

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:-That the updated Financial Contributions for Educational Provision Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be approved and adopted.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: - That Council, as trustee, approves the granting of a 25-year lease at nil consideration of Mitchell and Darfield Miners Welfare Recreation Ground, Wombwell as shown edged red coloured pink on plan reference DV346A.

To consider any outstanding appointments or changes to membership on Regulatory Boards, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Outside Bodies following Annual Council on 16 May, 2025

(NB. No Cabinet decisions have been called in from these meetings)

Any Member of the Council shall have the opportunity to comment on any matters referred to in the following minutes.

The relevant representatives shall then be given the opportunity to respond to any comments made by Members on those minutes.

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

1.     Councillor Hunt

When can Barnsley residents expect their bin collection services to get back to normal?

2.     Councillor Lodge

Astwood Close and Mount Pleasant are plagued by parking issues, with recent instances including limited access for emergency vehicles and impacts on waste collections. It's clear that an intervention is needed, would the Cabinet Member agree with me that cost shouldn't be an issue, and the installation of double yellows should be considered?

3.     Councillor A Wray

On certain media platforms,  Barnsley has been referred to as the Capital of school absences. It's definitely alarming to learn of these high figures.

What is the Council doing to bring these figures down? 

4.     Councillor Hunt

How many Speed Indicator Devices does the Council have? How many of these are in a fixed location? How many move around to different locations on a rolling programme?

5.     Councillor Lodge

Given the increase in water bills this financial year, would the Council consider working with Yorkshire Water to auto enrol eligible residents on to social tariffs, reducing their annual bill, through the secure sharing of data, following the successful pilot project in Wandsworth and Richmond LBC's? 

6.     Councillor Bullcock

Could the cabinet member confirm the council's policy regarding the removal of damaged or otherwise deemed "not safe to be collected" bins that are potentially overflowing with waste, if the resident chooses not to pay for a replacement bin to be delivered. In addition, could they also confirm the policy for abandoned bins?

7.     Councillor Lodge

In the March 2025 Position Statement in response to my Councillor Call for Action, the rollout of in cab technology was muted to be rolled out from May 2025, could the Cabinet Member provide an update on progress?

8.     Councillor Lodge

B&B Accommodation for homeless individuals has increased by 44% in the last year, what more can be done to reduce these costs and ensure those in need receive housing as soon as possible? 

Motion received under no6 of Council’s Standing Orders – debate previously adjourned from the Council meeting 27 March 2025 in line with Standing Order 13(12)c.

In line with Standing Order 13(9)b an amended motion will be considered.

Proposer – Councillor Nayeri

Seconder – Councillor Kitching

The Council notes

a.    Recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that 27% of all adult women have experienced sexual assault since the age of 16, and

b.    5.7% of all adult men have experienced sexual assault since the age of 16.

c.    In 2021, the ONS reported that fewer than one in six adults who suffered rape or sexual assault reported this to the police.

d.    Only 2.7% of rapes reported in the UK between October 2023 and September 2024 resulted in charges. The conviction rate was even lower.

e.    4551 sexual offences were reported to South Yorkshire Police in 2023, an increase of 1% from the previous year.

f.     According to data from the South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner, sexual offences make up an average of 3.78% of crimes reported in South Yorkshire.

Furthermore, the Council understands

g.    Rape is an escalatory crime, with roots in inappropriate behaviour which can begin and occur in schools. Research from the Youth Endowment Fund in 2022 showed 5% of teenagers reported being the victim of a sexual assault.

h.    Historically, there has been a societal culture of misogynistic and sexually inappropriate behaviours, such as groping, catcalling, and sharing of explicit images, which were seen as harmless and went unreported.

i.      A rise in the influence of toxic misogynistic figures via social media has reinforced the normalisation of such behaviours amongst young people.

j.     Despite efforts to stop such behaviour, it still occurs, and young people may not always feel able to report it for various reasons.

k.     Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) became a mandatory part of the curriculum in 2020.

l.     In 2024, the then Conservative government sought to expand RSHE and asked for views on adding new subjects such as “sexual harassment and sexual violence.” The consultation period has expired, and the government has not yet released the outcomes.

m.  Proactivity must be the driving force to prevent future victims, and expanding education is a vital part of this.

The Council also notes

n.    The success of the recent Safe Spaces campaign in the town centre, which shows that training for pub and club owners, as well as collaboration with other bodies, can foster a safer environment for women and children, as well as offering help to men in need.

o.     White Ribbon UK is the leading charity with a mission to end male violence against women and part of the global White Ribbon movement which arose from a campaign started by men in Canada in 2004.

p.    Its efforts to engage with the Government and advocate for release of the outcomes of the consultation on changing RSHE guidance, leading to a commitment from the Government to prioritise the review  ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.