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 2^nd February, 2022

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Central Area Council held on 2^nd February, 2022 be approved as a true and correct record.

Including a presentation from Family Lives – Lesley Brewin and Caroline Fanshawe

Lesley Brewin, Caroline Fanshawe and Emma Longden from Family Lives were welcomed to the meeting to provide Members with an overview of the performance of the service that had supported new parents and kinship carers in the Central Area over the past three years.

Members noted that the project had been developed from the ground up, and much work was undertaken to make connections in the area.  From July 2019 the first cohort were supported.  However, due to changing government restrictions the service had to adapted as necessary to ensure delivery.  This had included more online communications and also socially distanced work in the open air in gardens.

Through the three-year period the service had received and supported 98 eligible referrals, with 26 of these being from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.  The service had worked with 81 parents with mental health issues.

The service had made a significant impact in a number of areas, and parents reported improved confidence in parenting ability, a reduction in isolation and loneliness and improved self-esteem.  The service had successfully fostered the development of friendships, and empowered people to access other forms of support.  A community had been established where people who had previously received support were able to then provide support themselves. Members received a number of case studies that highlighted the personal impact of the service.

With regards to supporting volunteers, it was noted that nine volunteer training programmes had been delivered.  51 volunteers had been engaged, of which 48 completed the programme.  Seven volunteers had gone on to college or university and five had secured employment.  Members heard how 15 volunteers continued to support the programme.

Thanks was given to the support provided by the Central Area Council and it was noted that funding had been secured for the service to continue for a further 6 months, delivering boroughwide.   Efforts were also being made to consider other funding sources, and the learning from the project was being utilised more widely within the organisation.

Questions were asked in relation to the potential increase in support required for those fleeing the conflict in the Ukraine, and it was noted that the service was equipped to provide this.  Members heard how the service had experience of using technology to assist those who did not have English as their first language.

In relation to people being referred who were not eligible for the service as they lived outside the Central Area, Members noted that they were signposted to other support, and were also invited to attend larger events.

With regards to the continuation of the service, Members were pleased that the service would remain available and asked that they be kept informed as to how many residents from the Central Area received support.

Those present discussed the volunteering programme, including the rigorous checks undertaken.  The positive impact this had on service users and volunteers was noted.

Members received the remaining Q3 performance reports and case studies.  It was noted that the report was lengthy and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Head of Service, Stronger Communities, introduced the item, previously circulated. Questions were invited from Members.

A number of queries were raised in relation to advice and support provided by DIAL, and it was agreed that these be raised directly by the Central Area Council Manager as part of the contract management of this service.

RESOLVED:-

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

(ii)          That the income from FPN’s for 21-22 of £35,425 be noted, an increase of £15,425 of what was originally budgeted for the year as it includes outstanding FPN’s for the previous financial year;

(iii)        That the successful procurement of the centralised Environmental Enforcement contract be noted and that the contract start date being 1^st April 22 means that the financial commitment of £15,000 from the CAC commissioning budget for the 3 month period April to June 2022 that was previously approved as a contingency is no longer required;

(iv)        That it be noted that the Clean and Green contracts lot 1 and 2 for 2022 – 2025 have progressed through the procurement process and that a full report on the outcomes of will be provided at the next Area Council meeting. This will include options regarding lot 2 which will not be commissioned at this time;

(v)          That approval be given for the funding available for ‘Supporting Vulnerable People’ priority be increased to £35,450 for 2022-2023;

(vi)        That an extension of the DIAL grant for 6months from 01st July 2022 to 31st December 2022 be approved at a cost of £15,450;

(vii)       That an extension of the CAB grant for 6 months from 01st July 2022 to 31st December 2022 at a cost of £20,000 be approved

(viii)     That the actual financial position to date for 2021-22 and the projected expenditure, including future proposals, to 2023-24 as outlined in Appendices1 & 2 of this report be noted.

Central – held on 26^th January, 2022

Dodworth – held on 11^th January, 2022

Kingstone – held on 27^th January, 2022

Stairfoot – held on 14^th February and 14^th March, 2022

Worsbrough – held on 3^rd February, 2022

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

Central Ward Alliance, held on 26^th January, 2022

Dodworth Ward Alliance, held on 11^th January, 2022

Kingstone Ward Alliance, held on 27^th February, 2022

Stairfoot Ward Alliance, held on 14^th February and 14^th March, 2022

Worsbrough Ward Alliance, held on 3^rd February, 2022

RESOLVED that the notes of the Ward Alliances be received.

The report regarding the use of Ward Alliance Funds in the area was received.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.