Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 11^th March, 2019.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 11^th March, 2019 be approved as a true and correct record.

The Area Council Manager introduced the report which covered the period January to March, 2019.  Members noted the time lag between the end of the quarter and the meeting to consider performance.

Members noted the overview of services and how they contributed to the delivery against the priorities of the Area Council.  Also noted were the cumulative achievements from April 2017 to 31^st March, 2019.

Part B of the report provided a narrative impact for each of the commissioned services.  For the contract with Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) it was noted that there were a number of areas rated as red and amber.  Performance in some areas was below target, and in others was above.  Members heard of a change of staff managing the contract, and anomalies in reporting that were in the process of being resolved.  It was noted that the report contained case studies of the campaigns and activities undertaken by RVS and the advice and support provided within the quarter.

With regards to the contract delivered by YMCA to increase the emotional resilience and wellbeing of young people, Members noted that the service had completed their second year of delivery.  All targets had been met or exceeded.  Within the quarter 124 sessions had been held, with 44 new participants attending.  It was noted that whilst the number of new participants was relatively low, the service aimed to work with young people over a longer period of time.  Within the quarter there had been 1,500 attendances and Members noted that half term activities had been arranged in addition to regular weekly sessions.

Members questioned the male/female split, noting that more females participated.  It was acknowledged that YMCA was aware of this issue and striving to attract more males. However, it was noted that the venues were less suited to the activities which boys and young men liked to participate in, which were often outside.  Members noted the high numbers of those engaged with disabilities and heard of the range of health needs of a significant number of others taking part.

Those present heard of the increases in emotional resilience and wellbeing reported by participants, and the differences in results seen between those attending afterschool clubs and youth clubs, with those attending the latter reporting greater levels of improvement on average.

Members discussed the contribution of young people involved with the YMCA to the Central Area Council awards event, and thanks were given for their efforts.

An update was provided in relation to the final quarter of the contract with Kingdom Security to provide Environmental Enforcement. Since April, 2017 1,225 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued, with 14 being issued for littering in the previous quarter and 15 for dog fouling.  Members considered the variation between Wards in the numbers of Fixed Penalty Notices issued. Members were assured that patrolling had been equally distributed between the Wards.

Members noted that patrolling was led by intelligence and this would continue to be the case going forward when the contract  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Area Council Manager introduced the report reminding Members of the previous discussions to consider the priorities of the Area Council. Workshops had been to discuss these in more detail and plan for delivery post March 2020.

For the workshops, the Area Council Manager had been in discussions to ascertain current delivery, which would inform discussion about future provision in the area at each workshop.  It was noted that the outcome of each workshop would be reported in to the Area Council.

An update was provided in relation to the Peri-natal Home Visiting Service, and, following a Barnsley focused recruitment campaign, two workers were now in post. It was noted that the workers will be home-based but will be using community venues in their delivery.  It was acknowledged that, although the service had just launched, 14 volunteers had expressed an interest in assisting the service.

Members noted the positive links to the Community Midwife and 0-19 service for referrals, but Members acknowledged that they could also provide referrals if they were aware of relevant residents.

It was suggested that Family Lives attend a future meeting of the Area Council to provide an overview of the service and its impact.

An update was provided about the contract with District Enforcement providing Environmental Enforcement.  A positive contract inception meeting had been held. Members were provided information about the shift patterns of officers, which included working evenings and weekends at times.

Members were provided an update in relation to the Central Area Wellbeing Fund.  Following the launch workshop 14 applications had been received, with 11 organisations invited to give a presentation before the grant panel.  Members noted that seven organisations were successful, and letters to confirm grant agreements had been distributed. 

Members were reminded of the issues with management of the contract with RVS, with performance rated as ‘red’ and ‘amber’ in a number of areas. Members noted that in April the contract manager left and following his departure and a full audit of files was undertaken which revealed a number of anomalies in recording and therefore reporting.  The revised figures circulated showed only figures which could be fully evidenced.

Members noted that the number of home visitors was in excess of the target, but the number of new referrals was significantly below target.  As a result RVS had agreed to put a raft of measures in place to ensure issues seen were note repeated, and that underperformance was addressed.

In addition, RVS agreed to underwrite costs of delivery from April 2019 to the end of March, 2020.  This amounted to a total saving of £100,000.

Members discussed the options available, which included potentially re-evaluating the service and re-contracting.  Members were satisfied with the offer from RVS, and believed that the measures put in place would remedy the issues.  Also acknowledged was the continuity this would provide to users of the service.  Assurances had also been given that the steering group would be revitalised, and Members noted that lessons learned would be taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Central – held on 27^th February, 27^th March, and 24^th April, 2019

Dodworth – held on 26^th February, 19^th March, and 30^th April, 2019

Kingstone – held on 6^th March, 17^th April, 2019

Stairfoot – held on 11^th March, and 8^th April, and 13^th May, 2019

Worsbrough – held on 7^th March, 2019

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough Ward Alliances.

RESOLVED that the notes of the Ward Alliances be received.

The attention of Members was drawn to the finance carried forward from the 2018/19 financial year.

From the 2019/20 budgets, only Central Ward Alliance had allocated any finance, with £500 being approved at the time of the report being published.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Chair gave his appreciation for the efforts of the outgoing Chair Richard Riggs.  His work as Chair of the Area Council, and within his ward, were given praise, which was echoed by all present.

RESOLVED that the work of the outgoing Chair be praised, and thanks be given for his hard work which contributed to the success of the Area Council.