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 27^th September, 2018.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 27^th September, 2018 be approved as a true and correct record.

The Area Council Manager presented a performance management report for quarter two, covering the period July to September, 2018.

Feedback was provided within the report for all services currently commissioned, with all being RAG rated for performance as ‘Green’.

With regards to the contract for Environmental Enforcement it was noted that there had been a change in staff, and numbers of Fixed Penalty Notices had increased significantly on the previous quarter.  There had also been a focus on dog fouling resulting in the issuing of 13 Fixed Penalty Notices.

Those present discussed the information circulated to Members by Keep Britain Tidy, and it was agreed for the Chair to consider this in more detail, bringing any recommendations back to the Area Council.

Members discussed the focus of Kingdom Security, and it was noted that the Area Council Manager had discussed with them the refocus on litter other than cigarette ends.

Discussion turned to the behaviour of Kingdom officers, and it was suggested that details of any behaviour that was of concern be forwarded to the Area Council Manager to discuss directly as part of contract management arrangements.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the report be noted;

(ii)          That the Chair considers information circulated by Keep Britain Tidy, and reports back to the Area Council.

The item was introduced by the Area Council Manager, and Members were reminded that some time ago it had been suggested that a consideration exercise be undertaken with Berneslai Homes.

Members had previously been asked on which areas they would like the exercise to focus, and suggestions had been incorporated into the scope for the work.

In responding to the scope, colleagues at Berneslai Homes had produced a report, giving details of service delivery and performance targets.

The consideration panel met to consider the report, and a workshop was then held between the panel and Berneslai Homes staff.  Feedback from the workshop was positive, with the background information, answers to questions, and information provided thought to be extremely useful. The meeting considered the next steps contained within the report.

Members raised concerns that the information subsequently provided detailing houses acquired by Berneslai Homes would be more useful if it went back further in time.  It was noted that Berneslai Homes was undergoing a reorganisation and review, and that more accurate information could be provided subsequently.

Members noted plans for an Overview and Scrutiny workshop to be held in January 2019 to consider social housing across the borough.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That thanks be given to all Berneslai Homes officers and Members involved;

(ii)          That the feedback contained within the report be noted.

Members were reminded of the priorities of Central Area Council and how these dovetailed with those of the Council.

Members’ attention was drawn to the current situation with regards to contracts held and it was noted that the contract held by RVS would be reviewed in March, and if extended would finally cease on 31^st March, 2020.  It was also noted that the contract with YMCA was due to be reviewed in January, and if extended would also finally cease on 31^st March, 2020.

Those present were reminded of previous approvals associated with a Private Rented Tenant Support service.  It was noted that, following a second attempt at recruiting, a successful candidate was due to start in post imminently.  The meeting discussed how the contract would be managed and it was stressed that although employed as part of the Safer Neighbourhood Service, the resource was that of the Area Council.

Members discussed how the officer would identify new tenants, and it was acknowledged that the service had positive links with letting agents, and it was noted that Members were encouraged to supply intelligence.

In relation to the service to the Targeted Household Fly-tipping service it was noted that a formal recruitment exercise had been undertaken and the successful candidate was also due to start imminently.  Members were reminded that a steering group for the service would be established to agree ‘hot spot’ areas to target.

Those present noted that the group emerging from the Homestart Home Visiting Service was still continuing to meet, led by two volunteers, and discussions were still ongoing to incorporate this into the work of Hope House Church.

An update was provided in relation to the procurement of a revised Clean and Green Service.  The service was currently out to tender, and an evaluation panel was to be convened on 30^th November, 2018, with a view to the successful bidder commencing the service from 1^st April, 2019.

The Peri-Natal Emotional Wellbeing Volunteer Home Visiting Service had recently been out to tender, with the evaluation panel meeting on 9^th November, 2018.  A preferred contractor had been arrived at unanimously, and it was hoped that the service would commence in January, 2019.  Members queried whether the service would take a family centred approach and reassurances were given that it would.  Questions were also asked in relation to referrals from the midwifery service, and it was noted that the service was supportive, and had worked with the Area Council Manager to develop the proposal.

Members noted that the Environmental Enforcement Service was also out to tender, with a closing date of 19^th November, 2019.  Members acknowledged that this had been advertised as a combined tender with two other Area Councils, so as to be more attractive to potential contractors.  It was noted that this would be awarded as a single contract but would be managed as three separate lots, individual to each Area Council.  Members were reassured that the tender documentation stressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Central – held on 26^th September, 2018

Dodworth – held on 18^th September, 2018

Kingstone – held on 19^th September, 2018

Stairfoot – held on 10^th September and 8^th October, 2018

Worsbrough – held on 6^th September, 2018

The meeting received the following notes of the meetings of the Ward Alliances within the Central Area:-

Central Ward Alliance held on 26^th September, 2018;

Dodworth Ward Alliance held on 18^th September, 2018;

Kinstone Ward Alliance held on 19^th September, 2018;

Stairfoot Ward Alliance held on 10^th September, and 8^th October, 2018; and

Worsbrough Ward Alliance held on 6^th September, 2018.

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

The Area Council Manager introduced the item; Members noted the financial position of each of the Ward Alliance Funds contained within the report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.