Agenda and minutes

Councillor Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute 18 due to his wife being on the board of the YMCA.

The meeting received the minutes from the previous meeting of Central Area Council held on 1^st September, 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 1^st September, 2021 be approved as a true and correct record.

The Area Council Manager introduced the item which covered quarter 2 of 2021/22.  Thanks were given to Katie Ashworth who had helped to produce the report.  It was noted that, in places, the report referred to contract management meetings that had taken place in quarter 1, however assurances were given that meetings had also taken place with regards to quarter 2.

Members noted the overall snapshot of performance that reflected the impact of Central Area Council investment.

In relation to the YMCA unity project, 64 term time sessions had been delivered, with 32 holiday sessions provided in addition. In total there had been 1,176 attendees to the sessions.

Under the environmental priority the Clean and Green service had engaged  51 new volunteers, contributing to a total number of 165 volunteers.  5 businesses had been supported in the quarter, and there had been 15 interventions with groups.  Members noted that Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had made links with the NHS and individuals were being referred as part of social prescribing.

District Enforcement had continued to patrol, responding to complaints about dog fouling. 18 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for this within the quarter. However, it was noted that addressing dog fouling did become more difficult as days became darker.  Members were encouraged to continue to report issues, including key times and locations.

Both Service Level Agreements with the Safer Neighbourhood Service continued to perform well.  Figures in relation to flytipping were high with 346 cases being dealt within the quarter, and 12 written warnings issued.  However, it was felt positive that issues were being reported in order to be dealt with.

30 new tenant households had been supported by the Private Sector Housing officer with 18 households requiring intervention within the quarter.  It was acknowledged that this was lower than previous quarters, however this reflected the complexity of cases and the degree of support required.

Following changes made to widen the scope of the contract, Family Lives had seen an increase in referrals, with 10 being received in the quarter.  It was noted that families accessing the service did have multiple and complex issues and therefore required longer term support than originally envisaged.

The DIAL Advice Service continued to deliver effectively with 436 residents supported across the Central Area. £36,492 of unclaimed benefit had been generated in the quarter, with 436 residents receiving support from the service.

Members noted that Hope Connects was in their third year of finance, and  support was being provided by the area team to apply for community fund finance in order to extend the service and provide sustainability.

In the quarter, Citizen’s Advice Bureau had supported 327 clients to claim an additional £66,587 in benefits and manage £55,187 in benefits.  Advice given was largely in relation to benefits, employment, and debt, but the service also provided support with a number of enquiries related to housing and legal issues.

Members heard how the Thriving Communities Project, Delivered by Mind, had fully mobilised, with 20 clients receiving one-to-one  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Area Council Manager spoke to the report, previously circulated. The attention of Members was then drawn to the overview of all contracts. Thanks were given to all those who had attended workshops, where a review of all activity under the Clean and Green priority had taken place.

Those present discussed the indicative expenditure associated with the priority, and the recommissioning of a Clean and Green service.  In addition, Service Level Agreements for services to support the reduction in flytipping, and to support those in private sector housing were also considered.  In relation to the latter, it was suggested that the scope of this service be broadened to include all those living in private sector accommodation.

Members went on to consider the extension of Creative Recovery.  Support had been provided through the Area Team in order to develop phase 2 of the project, which would sustain the employment of two posts and be delivered throughout the area.  Finance of £15,000 per year, for two years, was required to match an Arts Council bid for £60,000.

An overview of finance was then provided, and a suggestion was made to discuss a number of areas for investment at the next meeting of the Area Council.

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, with associated timescales be noted;

(ii)          that changes be made to the Clean and Green Priority, as detailed in the report;

(iii)        that an indicative spend of £230,000 per year for 3 years, plus an additional £15,000 for enforcement if required, be approved for the Clean and Green priority;

(iv)        That the Private Sector Housing SLA be approved to continue for 3 years, subject to annual review, at a cost of £35,000 per year, and that approval be given to make changes to the Private Sector Housing SLA to include all private properties including those with tenancies longer than 6 months;

(v)          That the Flytipping SLA be approved to continue for 3 years, subject to annual review, at a cost of £35,000 per year;

(vi)        That approval be given to procure a Clean and Green Services at a cost of £160,000 per year for 3 years, subject to annual review, as detailed in option 2 within the report, and that the Executive Director Adults and Communities be authorised to agree all necessary documentation in order to procure the services, following consultation with Members of Central Area Council;

(vii)       That approval be given for Creative Recovery to deliver Uplift Phase 2, and that £15,000 per year for 2 years be approved, subject to securing Arts Council England match funding;

(viii)     That approval be given to YMCA to deliver the service to build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years for a further year until 31^st March, 2023 at a cost of £140,330;

(ix)        That the additional income of £113,272 from the Practical Support Grant be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Central – held on 25^th August, and 22^nd September, 2021

Dodworth – held on 28^th September, 2021

Kingstone – held on 22^nd September, 2021       

Stairfoot – held on 7^th September, and 10^th October, 2021

Worsbrough – held on 16^th September, 2021

The meeting received the notes of the following Ward Alliance meetings:-

Central Ward Alliance, held on 25^th August, and 22^nd September, 2021;

Dodworth Ward Alliance, held on 28^th September, 2021;

Kingstone Ward Alliance, held on 22^nd September, 2021;

Stairfoot Ward Alliance, held on 7^th September, and 10^th October, 2021; and

Worsbrough Ward Alliance, held on 16^th September, 2021.

Members were made aware that Worsbrough Ward Alliance had invested in four defibrillator devices and a case for a fifth.  Other Councillors were urged to invest in these life saving devices.

Congratulations were also provided to Worsbrough Community Pantry in celebrating its first anniversary supporting families.

The work of Bank End Friends was also celebrated with their contribution noted by a recent Ofsted visit.

Congratulations was also given to Hope in The Community on the opening of their support hub, and praise given to their work supporting over 150 families.

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

RESOLVED that the report be noted.