Agenda and minutes

On behalf of the Area Council, the Chair wished Councillor P. Birkinshaw a speedy recovery following his recent health problems.  It was agreed that the Area Council Manager sends a letter on behalf of the Area Council to convey the sentiments.

Phil Hollingsworth was welcomed to the meeting as Head of Stronger Communities, and would be supporting the Area Arrangements following the departure of Joe Micheli.

Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 22 due to his involvement with the YMCA.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of the Area Council held on 17th October, 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Central Area Council, held on 17^th October, 2016, be approved as a true and correct record.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager, noting that the report covered the period July – September, 2016.  The information relating to the period October – December would be presented to the Area Council on 13^th March, 2017.

Members were reminded that Part A of the report provided an insight of the cumulative impact of the use of Area Council finance.  Part B provided an update on the performance of each current contract and service level agreement.

With regards to the contract with Royal Voluntary Service, the service was being delivered effectively with no causes for concern.  Within the previous quarter 111 new older people had been engaged, bringing the total number of people engaged to 727. 

Members noted the case studies within the report and the feedback from a meeting Cllr Clarke and the Area Council Manager had attended with the Inclusion Workers.  It was acknowledged that the commission had assisted older people in the area in many ways, from helping to create artificial gardens to supporting trips to luncheon clubs.

The meeting discussed the situations which may lead to loneliness for older people, including having no next of kin, or family living far away, or indeed family living close but needing to work long hours.

The Chair made members aware that the CCG had recently been through a procurement exercise and now had a provider for social prescribing.

The meeting went on to consider the contract with YMCA. Members heard how the provider was meeting or exceeding the targets set with only an amber rating for ‘outcome indicator targets met’ as no young people had achieved accreditation in the quarter as no moderation had taken place.  Members were reassured that this would be rectified in the next quarter.

The meeting noted that 80 sessions had been delivered in the quarter, with 62 new children aged 8-12 engaged.  There had been a total of 1,589 attendances during the period and there had been at least three sessions delivered in each ward every week.

Members noted the performance of the contract with Kingdom Security, acknowledging that there had been 220 notices issued for littering and dog fouling and 1 notice for a parking violation within the quarter.  1,836 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued in total since Kingdom Security had been engaged.

The meeting heard how a number of young people had been involved in community litter picks and clean up days instead of paying their fine.  Members discussed the provision of litter bins, noting that a number had disappeared in the area.  It was agreed that discussions take place with Neighbourhood Services to give clarity about the responsibilities for replacing litter bins. 

It was noted that the enforcement service provided through Kingdom was reliant on intelligence being provided, and Members were encouraged to continue doing so through by telephone by calling 01226 772468.

The Area Council Manager made the meeting aware that the performance of the contract with Twiggs was satisfactory with all targets met or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, reminding Members of the priority areas and underpinning principles agreed at the meeting on 7^th July, 2016.

Members’ attention was drawn to the table provided within the report, which provided a position statement on each of the current contracts. It was noted that both of the contracts related to the ‘clean and green’ priority had been recommissioned, with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance and Kingdom Security being successful in regaining the relevant contracts.

With regards to the Family Support priority, it was noted that a ‘Check and Challenge’ exercise was due to take place with the Family Centre and Family Support Service towards the end of the financial year.

Members noted the progress made in procuring a main provider for the service to build emotional resilience in young people aged 8-14.  This included the advertisement being placed on YORtender and Contracts Finder on 2^nd November with the deadline for tender submissions being 28^th November, 2016. A further update on this would be provided at the Area Council meeting on 16^th January, 2017.

The Area Council Manager gave Members an overview of proposals to assist in securing a complementary service to build emotional resilience in young people, more suited to local providers.  It was suggested that a Youth Resilience Fund be launched, with a one off budget of £70,000.  A task group would be established to develop guidance and award criteria for the fund, which it was suggested would be launched towards the end of January, 2017.

In late February to mid-March, 2017 submissions to the fund would then be evaluated by the Central Area Team.  Organisations that met the criteria would then be invited to the Youth Resilience Fund Panel, comprising of a Central Area Team representative and three Members of Central Area Council.  The panel would then recommend projects for approval up to a total value of £70,000.  Funding agreements would then be issued with a view to service delivery commencing in April, 2017.

Members supported the proposal, noting that a similar process had worked well in the past for the Working Together Fund.  Taking into account current issues faced in the area a suggestion was made for the fund to be more flexible than originally proposed, with providers being able to support a wider age range than the 8-14 year old age range previously agreed.  This was discussed, taking into account the work undertaken originally that led to the focus on this age range, and the need for any intervention to be adequately supported to ensure an impact.  On balance Members agreed to support an increased flexibility in the age range of young people targeted (8-19 years).

The meeting went on to discuss the work relating to ‘Reducing loneliness and isolation in vulnerable adults and older people’.  It was noted that a task group had been organised for 24^th November, with a view to developing a specification of requirements and procurement strategy to be considered by the Area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Central – held on 24^th August, and 28^th September 2016

Dodworth – held on 13^th September, 2016

Kingstone – held on 21^st September, 2016

Stairfoot – held on 12^th September, and 10^th October, 2016

Worsbrough – held on 8^th September, and 29^th September, 2016

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough Ward Alliances held in August and September, 2016.

A brief update relating to each of the Ward Alliances was given.

Central – Members heard how the Alliance had recently organised training sessions on safeguarding, which had been very well subscribed by volunteers from local community group.

Dodworth - It was noted that one of the priorities for the forthcoming year is to strengthen the local economy, and to take this forward the alliance will be working with BBIC.  Members also noted plans for Higham Community Orchard, with tree planting taking place on 26^th November at Welland Court.

Kingstone – The meeting heard how food hygiene and first aid courses had been arranged for volunteers in the area and would be held shortly.  It was noted that the alliance continued to work with the Friends of Locke Park to organise a Christmas event, to be held on 4^th December, 2016.

Stairfoot – Focus for the alliance had been on work to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Oaks disaster, it was noted that this would be commemorated throughout the borough but the focus of activity would be within the ward.  It was also noted that a Carol Extravaganza would be held on 4^th December, 2016.

Worsbrough – Members noted that the first aid and food hygiene courses being organised by Kingstone Ward Alliance, were jointly funded by Worsbrough Ward Alliance and open to volunteers in the Worsbrough area.  The meeting also heard of the diversity of Worsbrough Ward Alliance, with members from a variety of backgrounds and of differing ages, and it was suggested that other alliances consider their diversity.

RESOLVED that the notes and feedback from the Ward Alliances be received.

The meeting received the report detailing expenditure for each of the Ward Alliance Funds in the Central Area.  Members were reminded that additional funds devolved from the Area Council to the Ward Alliance must be spent by 31 July, 2017.

RESOLVED that the report on the use of Ward Alliance Funds be noted.