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 9 November 2022.

With regards to the overall budgets for Area Councils, it was noted that this subject was due to be discussed at the next meeting of the Area Chairs.

In reference to any future delegation of funds to Ward Alliances, Members were made aware that an additional £3,000 per Ward Alliance had been attained from external sources and that any allocation to Ward Alliances would have a corresponding impact on the availability of future finance available for distribution by the Area Council.  It was suggested that this subject be considered at the next meeting of the Area Council.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 9 November 2022 be approved as a true and correct record.

Laura Sharman, Section 106 Programme Manager, was welcomed to the meeting. Members were reminded of the purpose of planning obligations, known as Section 106 agreements, which prescribed the nature of development, compensated for losses, and mitigated the impact of the development.

Section 106 agreements encompassed areas such as Affordable Housing, Education, Public Open Space, Highways/Sustainable Transport, and Biodiversity.

Members were made aware of the process for monitoring Section 106 agreements and associated expenditure.

Monies received and their potential use within the Central Area was discussed, together with future monies expected.  Members were made aware that there was a requirement to produce and publish an Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement, which described the use of Section 106 funding throughout the Borough for the previous financial year.

Questions were received relating to the composition of the Section 106 Panel, and Member involvement.  It was noted that the Cabinet Spokespersons for Regeneration and Culture and for Core Services were both on the panel.

With regards to distance from site in which monies were required to be used, it was noted that this varied, and was dependent on the agreement itself.

Members questioned how they could put forward suggested schemes to utilise finance and were advised to contact the relevant Council department in order to discuss this.

Members also discussed the process of negotiation with developers around Section 106 agreements in line with Supplementary Planning Documents, which led to finance becoming available.

RESOLVED that thanks be given for the presentation, and attending to answer the questions of Members.

The Area Council Managers spoke to the report, previously circulated.  Members noted the current position with regards to all the services and projects funded by the Area Council, along with the financial position of the Area Council.

Members were reminded that a decision had been taken at a previous meeting for the £50,000 which had been allocated to environment education to be returned to the main Area Council budget. This was due to the need for this being surpassed by work on the boroughwide Litter and Envirocrime Strategy.

The attention of Members was drawn to the update within the report regarding the Supporting Vulnerable People Fund. The deadline for the first tranche of funding, which focused on providing welfare advice, was on 10^th February, 2023, with that for the second tranche being 10^th March, 2023. It was noted that the second tranche was broader in scope.

Members also noted that the contract to provide a service to build emotional resilience in children and young people had been awarded to Barnsley YMCA.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That Members noted the overview of Central Area Council’s current priorities, and overview of all current contract, contract extensions, Service Level Agreements, and Well-being Fund projects, with associated timescales;

(ii)          That members note the actual financial position to date for 2022-23 and the projected expenditure, including future proposals, to 2023-24, as outlined in Appendices 1 & 2 of the report.

Dawn Grayton, Community Development Officer, was welcomed to highlight the work of the Central and Dodworth Ward Alliances over the past year.

Central Ward Alliance had experienced number of recent changes including to the Chair, and Community Development Officer. Since April, the Ward Alliance had stabilised, and encouraged applications to the Ward Alliance Fund focused on the priorities of the Ward Alliance, Area Council and Council. The focus had also been on the positives within the community, as opposed to negatives.

At the start of the financial year the Ward Alliance had around £20,000 within the Ward Alliance Fund, and Members noted the variety of projects funded, and it was acknowledged that non-financial support was also provided to many groups.

Three projects were highlighted, the first being Information Boards from Barnsley Main Heritage Group where £1800 had been funded to provide information boards on the site using a local contractor, which had been designed and developed by the group.  Members were also made aware of the Jubilee Celebrations, with a number funded in the ward and which helped to bring communities and neighbourhoods together to interact.  A third project was also mentioned; Defibrillator Training by the Full House Pub Community Group. The Ward Alliance had matched funding raised by the group itself for a cabinet and training, which had provided essential as the device was used shortly after installation.

Dodworth Ward Alliance had started the financial year with around £21,000, and Members noted the variety of projects funded. Also noted was the work to support warm hubs in the area. Three projects receiving funding were highlighted.  The first related to a Christmas events using £150 of small sparks funding to match funds raised by the Dodworth Church group. This included a free visit to Father Christmas, a present and a warm meal.  The second involved providing costs to Dodworth Mother, Carers and Toddlers Group, to restart after Covid.  13 volunteers were involved in setting up, supervising and clearing down activity sessions, and finance was used for new toys and equipment.

The third project highlighted was Gawber Celebrates Christmas. This was a partnership between the Ward Alliance, St Thomas’ Church Action Group and Love Gawber.  This created a Christmas project at the community centre, with festive music provided, Gawber Primary School Choir in attendance, a donated tree in the community centre grounds and refreshments.

Craig Aubrey Community Development Officer supporting Kingstone and Stairfoot Ward Alliances was then welcomed to provide an update on their work.

Kingstone Ward Alliance had approximately £22,300 at the start of the financial year.

At this point in the proceedings the meeting became inquorate.

Noted were the projects funded by the Ward Alliance, and it was acknowledged that projects had also received support other than financial, for example the development of a newsletter which had just required volunteer time.

The attention of Members was drawn to the Kingstone Artwork Project, where Creative Recovery worked with volunteers and a local artist to create designs around Barnsley 2030 for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

Central – held on 23 November 2022

Dodworth – held on 6 December 2022

Kingstone – held on 16 November 2022

Stairfoot – held on 14 November and 12 December 2022

Worsbrough – held on 20 October, 16 November (Environmental Working Group), 18 November (Environmental Working Group), and 24 November 2022

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

Central Ward Alliance, held on 23 November 2022;

Dodworth Ward Alliance, held on 6 December 2022;

Kingstone Ward Alliance, held on 16 November 2022;

Stairfoot Ward Alliance, held on 14 November and 12 December 2022;

Worsbrough Ward Alliance held on 20 October and 24 November 2022 along with Worsbrough Ward Alliance Environmental Working Group held on 16 November and 18 November 2022.

The report on the use of Ward Alliance Funds was received for information.