Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Alan Gardiner, John Healey MP, Michael Bunting, Mark Bell, Sarah Cartwright, Rebecca Gamble and Jeremy Budd.

The minutes were accepted as a true record.

Actions from previous meeting and matters arising:

Business Engagement

Action: Rachael to create a subcommittee to meet before Christmas to discuss options to entice businesses into the Board.  To contact Andy Lock, Matthew Stephens & Chris McGinley outside the meeting to discuss a way forward. John Healey MP requested he be kept informed of developments as he is supportive of a business event and would like to attend the local event if possible.

Update: This has been actioned and will be covered in the Business engagement update on the agenda.

None.

Highlight Report & Risks

(Plan on a Page included for information only)

Rachael presented the highlight report that was circulated with the Board papers.

Copies of Plan on a page and the Forward Plan were circulated for information.

Highlight Report

We still have 5 out of 7 projects approved by DLUHC. Project D - Goldthorpe Housing Project is still undergoing value for money analysis with DLUHC and 

Project M - Housing Retrofit which is directly linked to this is being updated to include any information from that process that is relevant.  

Projects are moving into delivery and alongside their planning, assurance and monitoring is being developed. Summary information provided by Project Leads has been used to feed directly into the M&E return to DLUHC by 16th December 22. This information will be shared with Board at the November meeting, along with an update at the meeting, prior to submission. A Baseline exercise has also been requested by DLUHC which Leads will also carry out for submission by 16^th December. DLUHC have also shared some guidance for Boards moving into delivery which we will reviewing and share any action required with Board at a future meeting. 

Key decisions / items for escalation to board:

M&E key decisions required, to be discussed at item 6.  No escalations to board were raised at this time.

Project Updates

Project D Goldthorpe Housing

Update provided in Item 5.

Project F Phoenix Park

Finalised project agreement signed by both parties and the first payment has been made to Land Trust.  Rachael Allington & Lynsey Law to meet with the Land Trust next week to discuss the way forward.

Project G Cultural Hub

Renovation works to the roof of the Dearne Playhouse to begin in January 2023.

Project H Heart of Goldthorpe

Update provided in Item 5.

Project K New access roundabout

Facilitating programme costings.  Tenders have been received for grouting works which could begin early in the new year.

To work with local schools to name the new roundabout as well as starting discussions around a local art installation.

Project L Goldthorpe Towns Commercial Investment Fund

BMBC Officers are working closely with CBRE and Sponsors to develop an application form which will be brought back to the Board in January 2023 for discussion. 

Project M Housing Retrofit

Update provided in Item 5.

a)       Project D Goldthorpe Housing  - Julie Tattershall

b)      Project M Housing Retrofit  - Alison Dalton

c)       Project H Heart of Goldthorpe  - Teresa Williams

Project D Goldthorpe Housing Project Update – Presented by Julie Tattershall

            A copy of a presentation was circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

There are two proposed phases for the delivery of the scheme subject to the receipt of approval and funding:

Phase one – acquisitions / demolitions and new builds

Phase two – shared space street works, creation of green spaces and works to regenerate rear of terraced properties.

Next steps:

Awaiting outcome of DLUHC appraisal.

Cabinet approval required for acquisitions and demolitions – timeline for approval, end of March 2023.

Research / discussions with property owners

SYMCA Bid decision due in March 2023

Comments from Andy Lock: Will £6m be enough to deliver the works proposed based upon the rising cost of inflation? 

Response from Julie Tattershall: Cost uplifts and any potential changes to the scaling of the scheme to be addressed with DLUHC & SYMCA once the project has been approved. 

Comments from Councillor Danforth:  Acquisitions / Demolitions – which properties have been identified?

Response from Julie Tattershall & Alison Dalton: Up to 40 properties initially identified and shared at a public consultation to which tenants, homeowners and landlords were invited.  Letters also sent to the potentially affected tenants, homeowners and landlords prior to the consultation.  Further discussions to be held once the funding has been agreed.

Project M Housing Retrofit – Presented by Alison Dalton

A copy of a presentation was circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

£2m reallocated from the solar farm project, to be match funded through Local Authority Funding.

Retrofit and warm homes energy efficiency measures – flyers to be hand delivered next week to residents and emailed to landlords.  Walkabout session to be held with the Warm Homes Officers next week.  Library sign up session to be held on the 28^th November 9-11am.  Working with Berneslai Homes to create a show home effect to a property to demonstrate external insulation measures.

Comments from Andy Lock:  Could an indicative cost saving figure for a warm home retrofit property be included on the flyers or advised to residents?

Response from Alison Dalton: Will discuss with Warm Homes Team regarding an estimated cost saving figure based on similar properties which have already been retrofitted.

Goldthorpe Market site - O&P Construction were appointed this morning.  To be invited to Business Engagement Event and also to arrange health and safety presentations with local schools.

Project H Heart of Goldthorpe Market Consultation Feedback – Presented by Teresa Williams

A copy of a presentation was circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

Unable to include all design elements requested at previous consultations including fountains which would have a high maintenance commitment attached to it.  A living, permanent Christmas tree can not be installed however, space will be created to allow a temporary tree to be added at Christmas time.

Anchor points to be added to the square to allow for temporary market stalls to be safely erected on the site.

Seating area to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 347.

-          DLUCH Return

-          Summary for Board

A copy of the DLUHC Return and a Summary document were circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

Figures provided are to the end of September 2022 for submission to DLUHC on the 16^th December. 

£327,000 currently spent against the programme.

Next steps:

Finance and internal audit reviewing the information prior to submission.

Baseline information to be shared with the Board prior to submission.

Paperwork to be signed off by Derek Bramham (Chair) and Neil Copley (BMBC Section 151 Officer)

It was requested that any suggestions for alterations to how the M&E information can be presented to Board to be provided to Rachael Allington.

Slides were circulated to the Board prior to the meeting.

Various discussions have been held with potential stakeholders.

It is proposed that a breakfast business networking event be held on Friday 16^th December to target potential and existing businesses in the area.

Event to be held at Goldthorpe Parish Hall 7:30 set up for 7:45 start to be introduced by John Healey MP followed by networking where business people can discuss issues and help available from, amongst others Works & Skills, Enterprising Barnsley, Chamber of Commerce and More Money In Your Pocket.

Comment from Claire Dawson:  Would this include all businesses including home or market workers?

Response from Rachael Allington: All businesses that are known in the area will be invited.  If the Ward Alliance are able to provide contact details for businesses working from home invites will be sent to them as well.

Comment from Marie Sinclair – Have invites been sent out yet?

Response from Rachael Allington:  The event has not been promoted as yet, discussions were being held with stakeholders to confirm that they would be able to attend.

Decision required – Should this be held on the 16^th December given so close to Christmas or moved to the new year?

Decision:  Board agreed that the Business Engagement Event should go ahead on the 16^th December.

To work with Alison Dalton to promote the Warm Homes and retrofitting scheme.

Business Engagement Event – To work with Rachael Allington & Lynsey Law to promote this to local businesses now that the date has been agreed. 

Commercial Investment Fund – To work with Suzanne Brough to promote this once Board have agreed the application form which is due to be discussed at the next Board meeting in January.

Comments from Andy Lock: How are we performing against the objectives in the Communications Plan?  Has the branding been well received by people in the area?

Response from Mike Cotton: More communications to be developed as work begins on different projects.  Positive responses received to social media posts.  To consider reviewing how this is being received in the new year.

Update provided by Matthew Blackburn.

Recordings of the M & E Webinar now available on the Government website.

30^th November to meet members of the Towns Fund Team in Goldthorpe.

No update available as Becky Guthrie unable to attend.

The future forward plan for agenda items was presented by Rachael.

The Land Trust will be invited to attend the meeting in February to discuss progress at Phoenix Park.

Frequency of future meetings – Members were asked to consider how often the meetings should be held going forward and whether they will continue to all be online or if some should be held in person.  This will be discussed at the meeting in January 2023.

Rachael Allington advised that Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have commissioned the Coal Authority to carry out a Phase 1 mine water heat study into the potential for flooded abandoned coal mine workings to provide low carbon heating for existing and proposed properties in the locality of Goldthorpe in the eastern part of the borough. The outcome from this study recommend that further  discussions  should take place with the Environment Agency and the Coal Authority over the possible options for a mine heat scheme as the site appears to have good potential for a mine water sourced heat scheme subject to more detailed evaluation of drilling targets in a Phase 2 study. Robert Gamble will be invited to a future meeting to update the Board on the progress of the study.

Dan Harper, Head of Service for Economic Regeneration at Barnsley Council introduced himself to the Board as this is the first meeting he has attended.

Councillor Coates:  Who is the project sponsor for the Dearne Playhouse?

Response from Rachael Allington:  Will check and advise.