Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non pecuniary interest in minutes 25 and 26 in relation to discussion on YMCA in relation to his membership of the organisation.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 6^th November, 2017.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 6^th November, 2017 be approved as a true and correct record.

The following officers were welcomed to the meeting:-

·         YMCA – Andrea Battye and Christie McFarlane

·         Exodus - Martin Sawdon and Daniel Wilkinson

·         Immortals (Targeted Youth Service, BMBC) - Karen Pearson

·         The Youth Association-Dmitry Fedotov, Jody Poole and Rebecca Coyne

Presentations were given on each of the services commissioned.  Each organisation gave an overview of their commission, the progress made and the impact seen.  Case studies were also presented.  Questions relating to each commission were then invited from Members.

With regards to the YMCA contract to ‘build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’ questions were raised regarding the availability of places and which areas were at capacity.  It was noted that there was a waiting list in a number of the areas, but where possible the young people in question would be signposted to other means of support.

The balance between the size of sessions and the ability to build relationships in groups was noted, and that the minimum size of a group was 12 individuals.  Members heard how retaining individuals within the programme helped to maximise the impact made.

Members noted that many individuals, when leaving the scheme, did engage with other YMCA programmes.

Suggestions were made to provide further detail, where possible, including the numbers signposted and the associated destination, where individuals were referred from, and demographic information such as age group and ethnicity.  A number of compliments on the work of the YMCA in the area were also given.

With regards to the YMCA contract to deliver youth work in the Dodworth Ward Members noted the focus on young males in the area, and the successes seen.  However, the difficulty experienced in engaging older males was acknowledged.

Thanks were expressed to Exodus for their work supporting events, and questions asked about ensuring safeguarding in their work.  Assurances were given that junior leaders were appropriately supervised and adults were DBS checked.  It was noted that the project also provided opportunities wider than volunteering, which included placements for students from colleges and schools.

Members commented on the work undertaken as part of the Immortals project around the skate park at Hoyle Mill, with young people engaged in the lighting improvements and organising an event.  It was noted that BMBC was liable for health and safety at the site, but for any event the organisers would undertake risk assessments.  Those present noted the engagement of young people in Worsbrough Dale Park and Pavilion, and the work to try and engage more girls.

In relation to the Youth Association project Members commented on the successful Christmas events, and it was noted that some of the engagement had led to wider involvement of parents.

Questions were raised in relation to the numbers attending, and 50 individuals had been engaged overall with 15 regularly attending sessions. These were from 4 different ethnic backgrounds.  Concerns were raised around whether the project was promoting groups to mix across communities, rather than fostering cohesion within communities, but in response it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Area Council Manager spoke to the report, previously circulated.

In reference to the exercise with Neighbourhood Services, it was remarked that the meeting held had been very productive.  Additional information regarding the top 20 hotspots for flytipping was due to be provided, after which a time limited group would be established to further consider this.

Information on the littering hotspots had been provided to Kingdom and they would now prioritise these areas.  Members noted that the audit of litter bins had yet to be completed, but once complete this would provide the basis of a discussion with the service.

Members noted the updates provided related to the exercises with Neighbourhood Services, and Early Help/Family Centre Service and also the suggested future programme.

It was agreed that any suggestions for consideration of other services be forwarded to the Area Council Manager.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        That the update regarding the progress in taking forward the recent exercises conducted with Neighbourhood Services, and Early Help/Family Centre Service be noted;

(ii)       That further consideration be given to the following services:-

·         Neighbourhood Services – April, 2018

·         Early Help/Family Centre Service – September, 2018

·         Safer Neighbourhoods Service – May, 2018

(iii)      That Members forward suggestions to the Area Council Manager for future areas to be considered.

The Area Council Manager referred to the report circulated which provided an update on the arrangements related to the annual Central Area Council Celebration and Awards Event.

Members noted the progress made and a number of suggestions, building on feedback from previous years.  The timescales associated with arranging the event were also noted.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the update about the planning undertaken in arranging the Central Area Council 2018 Awards and Celebration Evening on 15^th March, 2018, be noted;

(ii)          That the award categories and associated processes for allocating awards be approved.

Central – held on 25^th October and 22^nd November, 2017

Dodworth – held on 24^th October, 2017

Kingstone – held on 22^nd November, 2017

Stairfoot – held on 13^th November, 2017

Worsbrough – held on 19^th October, 2017

The meeting received the notes of the Central, Dodworth, Stairfoot, Kingstone, and Worsbrough Ward Alliances within the Central Area held in October and November, 2017.

Councillor Clarke remarked that a number of Ward Alliance Members had resigned from the Worsbrough Ward Alliance, and that the Alliance was working closely with the Community Development Officer to address this.  Councillor Clarke also remarked that the intergenerational event organised with Royal Voluntary Service had been a success.

Councillor Williams recognised the contribution of the Friends of Locke Park to the area and its support of charities.  Mention was made to the organisation of a Health event in February, and the difficulty in engaging a number of health services.

The Chair gave thanks for the contribution made by local businesses, and volunteers, to the Christmas events held in the Dodworth Ward.  Without their assistance at the events they would not have been as successful.

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

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, referring to the report circulated.

For Central Ward Alliance, £10,340.04 of the original £20,000 allocation remained.  For Dodworth Ward Alliance, £1,588.30 of the £20,084 starting budget was left for allocation.  Kingstone Ward Alliance had £6,887.60 for allocation from a starting budget of £22,245.  From an opening balance of £20,180 Stairfoot had £7,796.64 remaining, and Worsbrough Ward Alliance had £11,785 from £22,180 remaining.

It was noted that since the publication of reports both Stairfoot and Central Wards had approved applications reducing the amount of finance remaining.

All Members were reminded of the need to ensure finance was committed and spent to avoid having to return this to the Area Council.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.