Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non pecuniary interest in minute numbers 26 and 27 due to his membership of YMCA.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 14^th November, 2018.

The Chair provided an update with regards to information received from Keep Britain Tidy.  The information had been passed through to Community Development Officers for consideration by the Ward Alliances in the area.

Members were made aware of arrangements for the Central Area Council Celebration Event, which was due to take place on 28^th March, 2019.  Members were asked to consider who they may wish to nominate for an award.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 14^th November, 2018 be approved as a true and correct record.

Andrea Battye and Emma Turton were welcomed to the meeting.

Members were reminded of the work of the YMCA and of that work undertaken as part of the commission to ‘build emotional resilience in young people aged 8-14’ in the Central Area.  10 sessions per week had been held, with two being undertaken in each ward.  These were often after school, twilight or evening session, but provision was also delivered during school holidays.

Activities undertaken were arrived at through consultation with young people, and the commission also included provision to encourage peer support, and volunteering.

The service was open access, but targeted to ensure those most requiring support benefitted from it.  In doing so the project aimed to provide intervention early, preventing issues from escalating.

Since the commission went live, all targets had either been met or had been exceeded.  Evaluation of the impact of intervention was also undertaken continuously, with plans to develop the methodology to further evidence this.

Members were provided a range of case studies, detailing the work undertaken in each ward, and the impact this had on a number of young people’s lives.

Members praised the work of the project, and enquired as to whether it had any additional capacity.  It was noted that the project was oversubscribed and working beyond its original capacity, with pressure due to the impact of cuts to other services. However reviews were regularly undertaken to ensure those who required the service did benefit from it.

Questions were raised in relation to the relationship with other groups and organisations, and it was noted that there were strong relationships with a variety of agencies in the area. Young people are referred between agencies, and a primary source of referrals was social services.

RESOLVED that thanks be given to staff at the YMCA for the presentation and for their continued hard work on the project.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item by presenting an overview of the current priorities of the Area Council.  It was suggested that a review of the priorities was timely in order to ensure the Area Council budget was used effectively.  It was suggested that a task and finish group be convened to undertake the exercise, with a representative from each ward attending.  A suggestion was made to consider how the priorities supported the Town Spirit campaign, which was endorsed by Members.  A report of the outcome of the group would be considered at the Area Council in March, 2019.

Members were reminded of the contract currently held by YMCA, which was in the second year of operation.  It was acknowledged that the original procurement allowed for one further period of extension of 12 months, which required approval by the Area Council.  This was supported by Members.

Those present heard how recruitment had taken place for the officer to deliver the service to support new tenants in the private rented sector, with the officer starting on 19^th November, 2018.  The officer was currently undertaking their induction programme, and had also familiarised themselves with the area, including hotspots.  A number of meetings with landlords and letting agents had also taken place.

An update was provided in relation to the service to address household flytipping in the Central Area.  An officer had been recruited and had taken up post on 19^th November, 2018.  They had undergone an induction and delivery had started in earnest.  Members noted that a steering group meeting had identified a number of hotspots, which were currently in the process of being cross referenced with the Safer Neighbourhood Service.

Preliminary feedback was positive about the proactive and reactive work undertaken so far.

In relation to the procurement of a further Clean and Green Service, only one provider had tendered to deliver the service.  However, a tender panel had fully evaluated the return, scoring the submission highly. Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had been awarded the contract. A contract inception meeting had been arranged to take place in late January, 2019, with the contract starting in March, 2019.

The procurement of a Peri-Natal Emotional Wellbeing Home Visiting Service, had been successful, with four organisations providing a submission.  Family Lives was the successful organisation and the contract had commenced  1^st January, 2019, with interviews for posts taking place in early February.  Members heard that the organisation is a national charity with 30 years of experience in the field.

Members discussed how residents may access the service, and it was noted that many referrals would come from the midwifery service, but there would opportunities for self-referral.  Part of the mobilisation of the contract included widespread promotion of the service.

In relation to the contract to procure an Environmental Enforcement Service, Members heard how four organisations had tendered, with District Enforcement scoring highest.  Members noted that there would be a period where Kingdom Security, BMBC Enforcement and District Enforcement all worked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

The Area Council Manager reminded Members of discussion at the previous meeting of the Area Council, where the development of a Wellbeing Fund had been supported.  Members heard how a task and finish group had been convened to consider criteria and guidance for the fund.  On 6^th December, 2018 the group met, with representation from each ward, and from the Healthier Communities Service, who had agreed to contribute to the fund.

The task and finish group had developed documentation, and recommended that awards be granted from £5-30,000, with higher only to be awardedn in exceptional circumstances. It was considered essential to ensure that there was delivery in each ward in the area.

A figure of £90,000 from the Area Council was suggested, together with £34,000 from the Healthier Communities Service to provide a total fund of £124,000.  It was suggested that awards be given for one financial year, and was noted that applications would need to address the criteria circulated.  Members noted that the criteria included consideration of the sustainability of the intervention after the initial funding period.

Members noted the proposed timeline for implementation, with a workshop arranged for interested parties to find out more.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That a Central Area Council Wellbeing Fund for 2019/20 be established as detailed in the report;

(ii)          That authorisation be given to the Executive Director Communities to approve Central Area Council Wellbeing Grants to a total value of £124,000 (£90,000 from Central Area Council and £34,000 from the Healthier Communities Service), following consultation with the Central Wellbeing Fund Evaluation Panel, and ensuring coverage across the area.

Central – held on 24^th October, and 28^th November, 2018

Dodworth – held on 23^rd October, and 27^th November, 2018

Kingstone – held on 7^th November, and 12^th December, 2018

Stairfoot – held on 12^th November, and 10^th December, 2018

Worsbrough – held on 18^th October, 29^th November, 2018

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

Central Ward Alliance held on 24^th October and 28^th November, 2018;

Dodworth Ward Alliance held on 23^rd October, and 27^th November, 2018;

Kingstone Ward Alliance held on 7^th November, and 12^th December, 2018;

Stairfoot Ward Alliance held on 12^th November and 10^th December, 2018;

Worsbrough Ward Alliance held on 18^th October, 29^th November, 2019.

RESOLVED that the notes from the Ward Alliances be received.

Members considered the report, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the report be received.