Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute number 42 in relation to his membership of YMCA.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 13^th March, 2017.

Members noted that the relocation of CCTV cameras would be covered as part of the presentation on the Safer Neighbourhoods Service.

The Chair made Members aware of email correspondence following on from Central Area Council Members’ previous request for clarity on bins and funding with the Cabinet Spokesperson for Place.  The correspondence had suggested that it was policy that replacement bins should be funded from Area Councils and Ward Alliances, and that this had been agreed following the agreement of KLOEs. However, there appeared to be an absence of any written policy on this.

The Chair had indicated her concerns regarding the formal approval of a policy and the need for further clarity regarding responsibilities around bin replacement, given the situation may be different for newly installed bins, vandalised bins, and bins that have reached the end of their natural life.

There were also questions raised regarding the ongoing revenue monies paid once a bin was removed from circulation.  Members of the Area Council agreed that the matter be further progressed in order to ensure a policy be agreed and communicated with Area Councils, and be applied consistently across the borough.

The Area Council Manager provided feedback from the discussions held with officers responsible for Neighbourhood Services.  The service was implementing a data management system which would provide much of the performance information the Area Council had previously requested two years ago.  It was suggested that the Check and Challenge exercise be resumed in the autumn when sufficient information had been collected.

Members discussed the Central Area Council celebration event, with feedback generally extremely positive, with a small number of issues highlighted to take into account in the future.  The hard work of the Central Area Team was praised, and in particular the continued support of the Area Council Manager.

RESOLVED:-

(i)     That the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 13^th March, 2017 be approved as a true and correct record;

(ii)    That the Check and Challenge exercise conducted with Neighbourhood Services be resumed in the autumn;

(iii)  That thanks be given to Central Area Team for their hard work in organising the celebration event;

(iv)  That discussions to agree a policy on the replacement of litter bins be progressed.

Paul Brannan, Head of Community Safety and Enforcement, and Acting Chief Inspector Julie Mitchell were welcomed to the meeting.

An update was given on the policy for the relocation of CCTV cameras.  Members noted that over the past year or so there had been increased scrutiny from the Information Commissioner regarding the use of CCTV. To locate cameras there had to be an established risk, and proposals were required to demonstrate proportionality and necessity.

It was noted that removing and relocating cameras did have a cost associated of around £90 for removal and £90 for siting, which had previously been borne by Safer Barnsley.  However, over the past 12 months there had been an increased focus on this area, not only due to restrictions on finance but also due to the requirements of the Information Commissioner.

The meeting discussed the effectiveness of CCTV, and it was noted that although beneficial it did not solve all issues, and came with associated costs to maintain and install.   It was suggested that feedback to Members on the siting and of the effectiveness of cameras installed in their Ward could be improved, and it was agreed that this be actioned.

An overview was then given of the new arrangements for the Safer Neighbourhood Service.  The service had formed, building on the history of the Council and South Yorkshire Police working closely.  In doing so consideration was given to how services could best be organised to increase the presence in neighbourhoods whilst recognising the current financial pressures.

This had resulted in the alignment of Police and Council areas, with central and local teams being co-located, and the Council resources would also now be available outside normal working hours.  An increasing importance would be placed on triage, to ensure the correct response, and there would be more collaborative case management.

Members were made aware of future plans for the service to co-locate with other partners to provide a wider reaching and more effective service to the public.

The meeting discussed how to contact officers, and it was suggested that in all cases for the Police 999 and 101 should be used, and for the Council that this issue was being considered and details would be forwarded to Members in due course.  Issues with 101 were discussed, and it was noted that this was an area which was coming under scrutiny by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Members discussed the effectiveness of PACT and Crime and Community Safety Group meetings, and whether they provided appropriate representation of the whole community.  It was acknowledged attendance varied between Wards, and that this was only one of a number of ways intelligence was gathered to influence policing priorities.

RESOLVED that officers be thanked for the presentation, and the information be noted.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, referring to Part A of the report, which gave an indication of the cumulative impact of Area Council expenditure to date.  In particular attention was drawn to the following: 938 older people had now been engaged, 333 children and young people had achieved accreditation, and 2,270 Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and littering had been issued.

The meeting then went on to consider Part B of the report, which provided feedback on each of the contracts held by the Area Council.

An update was provided on the contract with RVS.  Within the quarter, 102 additional older people had been engaged, bringing the total numbers to 938.  Members were reminded that the contract would finish on 30^th June, with the contract for the service to reduce isolation and loneliness in adults and older people commencing on 1^st July, 2017.  This would also be delivered by RVS.

Members commented on the need to promote intergenerational work, with opportunities for young people imparting their skills to older people in areas such as IT.  The meeting also discussed the need for services to engage with GPs.  It was hoped that this would improve with the introduction of ‘My Best Life’ social prescribing, and the referrals from this service would be monitored.

With regards to the contract with the YMCA, the meeting heard how 165 sessions and been held and 69 additional children had been engaged.  In total there had been 2,828 attendances during the period, with at least 3 sessions in each ward every week.  It was acknowledged that this contract would come to an end on 31^st March, 2017, with a new service to build emotional resilience in children and young people aged 8-14 years to commence on 1^st April, 2017, which would also be delivered by the YMCA.

An update was provided on the contract with Kingdom Security.  187 Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and littering had been issued within the quarter and 6 Parking Charge Notices.

Since the inception of the Environmental Enforcement Service, £106,506 had been returned to the Area Council.

A number of issues were raised with the contract, including reports of the conduct of officers.  The Area Council Manager reported that body camera footage of all reported incidents had been reviewed and all bar one case had shown that officers had acted appropriately.

Concerns were expressed regarding the restorative justice sessions, and it was thought the effectiveness of these could be improved.  Members went on to discuss the impact of the contract, and it was noted that a full review of the contract, including its effectiveness, would take place in the autumn.  Members also noted that the service had agreed to undertake research over a month to give a better indication into the types of littering offences.

The contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance continued to perform well, with 192 additional pieces of work being undertaken.   11 Central Area Team led projects had been supported and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item referring to the procurement recently undertaken in order to identify a provider to deliver the service to ‘reduce loneliness and social isolation in (vulnerable) adults and older people’.

Five tenders had been received, with two organisations subsequently invited for interview.  Members were made aware that RVS had been awarded the contract.  The Area Council Manager had met with officers within RVS to discuss details of the contract, including performance indicators, with the contract expected to start 1^st July, 2017.  It was noted that this would include monitoring referrals from ‘My Best Life’.

With regards to identifying providers to complement the commission to build emotional resilience in young people, an update was provided on the outcome of the Youth Resilience Fund process.  Four providers had been successful; however, a contract had yet to be issued to one of the providers due to issues being experienced with their infrastructure, it was agreed that this matter would be progressed by the Executive Director for Communities in line with agreed delegations.  It was noted that discussions had already taken place with the remaining three providers regarding the details of the contracts, including provision of performance management information.

Members considered the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, and were reminded that the original contract was for a year, which had now elapsed, but there was the option for a period of 12 months.  Members agreed to extend the contract for a further 12 months.

The Area Council Manager reminded Members of their decision at the previous meeting to extend the Private Sector Rented Home Visiting Service for a further 12 month period.  The necessary documentation to waive contract procedure rules had been completed and had received officer approval, with a contract value of £21,600.

Members then received an update on the financial position of the Area Council.  To date £106,506 had been received from the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices.  Taking this into account, approximately £162,245 would be carried forward to 2017/18, and £76,970 remained unallocated.

The meeting discussed the success of the Central Area Council Celebration and Awards event, and a proposal was received to hold this event again in 2017/18.  In addition a 3 year review of the work of the Area Council, and a Council/Community/Provider networking event was also proposed.  Members agreed to allocate £10,000 from the Area Council to support these activities.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           that the outcome of the procurement process to identify a provider to deliver a service to ‘reduce loneliness and social isolation in adults (over 50 years) and older people’ be noted;

(ii)          that the Youth Resilience Fund providers/projects identified to deliver complementary services for building emotional resilience in children and young people aged 8-19 years be noted, including the need to seek further assurances regarding the infrastructure in one of the four organisations;

(iii)         that the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance be extended for a further period of 12 months to 20^th April, 2018, at a cost of £85,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Central – held on 22^nd February, 2017 and 22^nd March, 2017

Dodworth – held on 28^th February, 2017 and 21^st March, 2017

Kingstone – held on 15^th March, 2017

Stairfoot – held on 13^th March, 2017 and 10^th April, 2017

Worsbrough – held on 15^th March, 2017

The meeting received the notes of the meetings of the Central, Dodworth, Kingstone, Stairfoot and Worsbrough Ward Alliances within the Central Area held in February, March and April 2017.

Councillor Bruff drew attention to the notes of the Central Ward Alliance held on 22^nd February, 2017, which attributed a comment about Kingdom Officers to her, when it was a member of the community.

Councillor W. Johnson drew attention to the skate park event held on 1^st May, 2017, which had been a great success.

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

The Area Council Manager spoke to the item, reminding Members of the previous decision for any finance devolved from the Area Council to the Ward Alliance Funds be returned if not spent by 31^st July, 2017.  It was noted that all of the Ward Alliances had either spent or allocated their remaining budgets for 2016/17.  Starting balances for each Ward Alliance were therefore very similar at around £20,000 for the 2017/18 financial year.

RESOLVED that the report be received.

All Members present gave thanks to Councillor D. Green for her work as chair of the Area Council since its inception.

Councillor D. Green thanked all the Central Area Council Members for their support and contribution, making the role of chair easy and enjoyable.  Thanks were also given to the Central Area Council Manager for her support through this period.