Agenda and minutes


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Contact: Peter Mirfin  Council Governance Officer

Media

Items
No. Item

49.

Declaration of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lodge declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 51, the presentation on ‘Business, the Economy, and Employment and Skills’ in view of the fact that his partner worked within one of the presenting officers service.

 

Councillor Bruff declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 5, the presentation on ‘Business, the Economy, and Employment and Skills’ as her son worked for the Sheffield City Region.

 

Councillor Carr declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 55 ‘Report on the Use of Ward Alliance Funds’ insofar as the discussion related to DIAL in her capacity as a Trustee of that organisation.

50.

Notes of the Meeting of Central Area Councillors held on 9th June, 2020 (Cen.03.08.2020/2) pdf icon PDF 147 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The meeting received the notes of the inquorate meeting of Central Area Council held on the 9th June, 2020.

 

RESOLVED that the notes of the inquorate meeting of the Central Area Council held on the 9th June, 2020 be approved as a true and correct record and that the following recommendations from that inquorate meeting be formally approved:

 

(a)  Minutes of the Previous meeting of the Central Area Council held on the 9th June, 2020

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on the 9th March, 2020 be approved as a true and correct record.

 

(b)  Discussion: Reflection on the presentation and how Area Councils can assist communities in the recovery.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)            That a Workshop be convened to consider the priorities of the Area Council and its contribution to the strategic priorities of the Council; and

 

(ii)          That a Workshop be convened to consider the research and other available intelligence in relation to social isolation in the Central Area.

51.

Business, the Economy, and Employment and Skills (Cen.03.08.2020/3) pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Council received a presentation from Mr T Smith (Head of Employment and Skills), Mr P Clifford (Head of Economic Development) and Ms A Fitzgerald (Group Leader Strategy and Policy, Education and Skills) giving an update of the current position with regard to the Barnsley Covid Economic Recovery.

 

Mr P Clifford commenced the presentation by briefly outlining the areas to be addressed:

 

a)    The Barnsley Covid Economic Impact Assessment

b)    The Central Area Economic Overview

c)    An Overview of current Economic Recovery Work

d)    The People impacts and the Recovery Actions

 

(a)  Economic Impact Assessment

 

·         Information was provided on the following:

o   The Barnsley GDP impacts,

o   The Barnsley Business impacts

o   The Impact on Barnsley Jobs

o   The Claimant Count outlined by the Office for National Statistics

·         It was very difficult to predict in these uncertain times, the likely impact on the economy, however, the Office for Budget Responsibility indicated that there was a potential contraction of around 15% on the local economy.  In addition, the IMF had recognised a potential contraction of 7% previously.  This meant that there would be a scaling back of the economy both in terms of GDP, jobs as well as businesses  and a significant increase in claimant counts

·         It was noted that these predicted models did not necessarily mean that there would be contractions of that level, but it was important to have a starting point upon which to shaping and benchmarking recovery actions

·         Information was provided on the potential sectoral impacts based on the types of businesses within the Borough – this indicated that some sectors would be impacted more than others.  These were ‘rag rated’ against the 15% and 7% predictions highlighted above

 

(b)  Central Area Economic Overview

 

·         Indices of Multiple Deprivation – the Area Council was above the Barnsley average in relation to Education, Employment, Health and Income deprivation and the biggest challenges and priorities for the area were, therefore Health, Education and Employment.  Information giving comparisons to other areas of the Borough would be circulated outside the meeting

·         Worklessness position – had seen a 14.8% increase during May giving an additional 2,720 claimants in the Central Area.  This was the highest amongst the other 6 areas of the Borough with the impacted groups being

o   14-24 year olds

o   50+

o   63% males and 36% females

·         Business Sector

o   indicated that within the area the number of businesses equated to 32.8% of the number of overall businesses in Barnsley.  This had seen a 7.8% growth since 2015

o   information was provided for the growth in Worsbrough, Dodworth, Stairfoot and Kingstone  and further information on this could be provided

o   information was provided on the business sector breakdown and the likely impact that Covid would have on those businesses.  This indicated where support was likely to be required from and national, regional and local level

·         Covid Business Support/Response

o   The Enterprising Barnsley Website had provided a focal point in ensuring that key messages were given out as to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

52.

Central Area Council Priorities (Cen.03.08.2020/4) pdf icon PDF 662 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager submitted a report providing a summary of the outcome of the Area Council ‘Priority Setting’ Workshop held to discuss how priorities might be changed to be more aligned with the Covid 5 Point Recovery Plan as presented at the last meeting.

 

The Workshop had been provided with information about how the Area Team had been supporting people within the area and information had also been provided about how Age UK had supported over 90 residents.

 

Members were also reminded that it had been agreed to establish a Social Isolation and Loneliness Workshop and this had been held in July and was starting to work towards a Social Isolation and Loneliness procurement exercise although it was likely to be the end of the year before this work was complete.

 

The Priority Setting Workshop had also considered:

 

·         an options appraisal which included an offer of support from Age UK Barnsley specifically focussed on moving from the response to recovery phase of the Strategy

·         how the Area Council could better support the 5 Point Plan through Ward Alliances and Commissioned Services.  Consideration had also been given to how all commissioned providers had flexed their contracts to ensure that those in need were supported

·         the existing Area Council Priorities in some detail

 

After detailed discussion, the Workshop had made 2 recommendations namely that:

 

·         Age UK be granted £10,000 in order to support the Covid 19 emergency response and exit strategy; and

·         That the current ‘Supporting Vulnerable Families’ priority be changed for ‘Supporting Vulnerable People’ as this better reflected the vulnerabilities that had presented themselves during the pandemic

 

Ms C Bedford (Public Health Principal) attended the meeting and stated that from a Public Health perspective she was more than happy to support the change in priority proposed.

 

It was noted that the original suggestion had been to provide a £20,000 grant to Age UK however, following the Workshop meeting it had been confirmed that the grant of £10,000 would enable Age UK to draw down additional national funding.  If approved, this decision could be reviewed at the end of the year.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)            that the report be received; and

 

(ii)          that the recommendations of the ‘Priority Setting’ Workshop be approved and adopted, namely:

 

·         that the Area Council change it’s priority from ‘Supporting Vulnerable Families’ to ‘Supporting Vulnerable People’; and

·         that a grant of £10,000 be made from the Central Area Council to support the Covid 19 emergency response exit strategy for the period to 31st December, 2020

53.

Procurement and Financial Update (Cen.03.08.2020/5) pdf icon PDF 291 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager introduced the item providing an update on the current situation in relation to each of the priority areas previously agreed together with an update of all current contracts, contract extensions, Service Level Agreements and Well-being Fund projects and the associated timescales.

 

The report provided and overview of the Service Level Agreements with the Safer Neighbourhoods Team and made recommendations in relation to Fly tipping and Private Sector Housing Support.  It also gave an update of the previously agreed areas of work relating to services for Social Isolation and Loneliness. 

 

The report also outlined the financial position to date for 2020/21 together with the projected position to 2023/24.

 

Members were informed of the current work of the two job share Area Council Managers who had recently taken up their posts, the areas upon which they would be ‘expert’ lead and the way in which they would be working together to ensure a seamless approach.

 

In relation to the social isolation work identified within the priorities for future focus it was suggested that this should be amended to include an examination of the impacts on both working age men and women.  It was noted, however, that the Area Council Manager had been tasked with looking at this group particularly in relation to suicide rates and there was a need, therefore, for this to be clarified.  Arising out of this discussion, it was noted that the next Workshop meeting was to be held on the 19th August, 2020 and the Area Council Manager briefly commented on the work that was currently ongoing and that would be discussed at that meeting.  An invitation to that meeting was also extended to Ms C Bedford although it was stressed that she had been involved in all prior discussions with the Area Council Manager.

 

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That the overview of Central Area Council’s current priorities and overview of all current contracts, contract extensions, Service Level Agreements, and Wellbeing Fund projects and associated timescales be noted;

(ii)          That  feedback about the development of the agreed priority areas from 1st April, 2020, including the work undertaken by the Social Isolation Workshop as outlined in Section 5 of the report now submitted, be noted;

(iii)        That approval be given an extension of the Service Level agreement with Safer Neighbourhoods Services – Private Rented Household Fly Tipping to November 2021 at a cost of £33,000 (with £13,000 in year expenditure for the financial year 2020/21;

(iv)        That approval be given for and extension of the Service Level agreement with Safer Neighbourhoods Services – Private Rented New Tennant Support to November 2021 at a cost of £32,500 (with £18,960 in year expenditure for the financial year 2020/21); and

(v)          That the financial position to date for 2020/221 and projected expenditure, including future proposals to 2023/24 as outlined in appendices 1 and 2 of the report be noted.

54.

Notes of the Ward Alliances (Cen.03.08.2020/6)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

·         Dodworth Ward Alliance – 3rd March, 2020

·         Stairfoot Ward Alliance – 16th March, 2020

 

It was noted that the Worsbrough Ward Alliance had funded hanging baskets along the A61 through Worsbrough and thanks were extended to the volunteers who had sourced the basket and got local businesses involved

 

Reference was made to the difficulties being encountered in relation to  Principal Towns Project for Dodworth following suggested changes in design.  It was suggested that there was a need for further consultation on this.  This matter would be taken up by the Area Council Manager

 

Thanks were extended to the Central Area Team for the support for the Healthy Holidays programme which had been funded outside the Ward Alliances.  The Area Council Manager also reported on the positive feedback received to date. 

 

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

55.

Report on the Use of Ward Alliance Funds (Cen.03.08.2020/7)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager introduced the item referring to finance remaining in each of the Ward Alliance Funds.

 

The Central Ward Alliance had £19,086.35 available funding but £2,430 had been allocated for the Healthy Holidays Provision (£2,000) and to the Dearne Valley Litter Pickers (£430).  The Dodworth Ward Alliance had £19,701.04 available funding but £125 had been allocated for the Secretary payments.

 

The Kingstone Ward Alliance had allocated £4,384.00 of its available funding of £14,538.91 as follows, Hope in the Community – Covid 19 (£1,217.99), Exodus Project food delivery programme (£1,508), Bowling Club for residents (£959) and Bowling Greens at Locke Park ((£700).  The Stairfoot Ward Alliance had £20,926.00 funding available with £2,000 allocated for the Healthy Holiday Provision.  The Worsbrough Ward had £28,161.66 available and had allocated £15,267.14 on 9 projects for various amounts.

 

There was a discussion on the moratorium on expenditure and the devolvement of Ward Alliance Budgets which limited what Ward Alliances could utilise finance for, however, given the wide priorities of the Area Council it was felt that there was plenty of scope for expenditure, although this had ben be related to Covid 19 priorities. 

 

Arising out of this, the Area Council was informed of the devolvement of finance from central government in relation to expenditure financial hardship issues.  £42,000 had been utilised locally across the Healthy Holidays Programmes and a request had been made for an additional £10,000 per area to assist with financial hardship issues and approval had been obtained to add £10,000 to the existing welfare services being delivered in the Central Area.  This would add value and bolster the work in the area that DIAL were already operating.

 

If Members were looking at where to allocate Ward Alliance Funding, whilst DIAL offered support around Welfare Benefits, there would be the possibly to give support to the CAB in work with people made redundant, accessing employment, issues with mortgages/rent which would then mean that there was a whole systems approach within the Central Area around access to Welfare Services and access to Benefits/support alongside the work of the CAB.  The additional funding referred to above would not, however, be allocated to the Ward Alliances but would add to the existing funding already allocated to the DIAL contract. 

 

It was felt important not to blur the lines between core Council business and the work of Area Councils and this was a matter that was regularly addressed to ensure that any expenditure added value.  There was perhaps a need to have further conversations on how additional finance was distributed.

 

The Area Council Manager confirmed that the Advice Network comprised Age UK, DIAL and the CAB, therefore, any contribution to the CAB from the Ward Alliances would ensure a wraparound service from all partners.  Such a contribution would mean an allocation of £2,000 from each Ward and each Ward Alliance would have to determine whether or not to support such a proposal.

 

A decision on the allocation from the Central Area of an additional £10,000  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

 

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