Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest of a pecuniary or non-pecuniary nature from Members in respect of the items on this agenda (other than those recorded within the Minutes contained within the Minute Book).

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on the 6^th and 27^th February, 2020.

To consider any communications to be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.

The Council will receive an update of the current position with regard to the Covid pandemic within Barnsley.

The Council will receive an update providing details of the Covid Recovery Plan.

The Executive Director Core Services will submit the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report informing the Council of the work undertaken by the Committee during 2019/20 and seeking approval to publish the report for the public as evidence of local authority as well as partner agency decision makers being held to account.

To consider any questions which may have been received from Elected Members and which are asked pursuant to Standing Order No. 11.

1             Councillor Ennis

‘How many Berneslai Homes Tenants are in receipt of Universal Credit Payments and how many of those are in rent arrears? In providing this response could you please indicate the number and percentage of claimants and for those in rent arrears?’

2             Councillor Hunt

‘As of mid-July the rates of Covid-19 in Barnsley are falling but are still above the national average. The Council’s Public Health Department should be congratulated for the role that they have played during the crisis. In other parts of the country, including Leicester, local authorities have criticised Government for the lack of availability of key data to be able to effectively tackle local outbreaks. Is Barnsley Council getting the data it needs from the Government?’

3             Councillor Wright

Could the Cabinet member for Place please advise on the following:

·         How many trees have been lifted or felled in Penny Pie Park?

·         How many have been transplanted?

·         Why have those that have been discarded not been transplanted?

·         How many new trees are to be planted in the Park?

·         What will be the net gain or net loss of trees in Penny Pie Park?

4             Councillor Hunt

‘The Leader must be aware of the national campaign by Excluded UK, seeking to secure financial support from the Government for the millions of self-employed individuals in the UK who have fallen through the gaps of support and found themselves with zero income during the Covid crisis. What is the authority doing to identify and support those individuals, from a vast range of backgrounds and professions, who live in Barnsley borough and have found themselves in this dire situation?’

5             Councillor Greenhough

‘The Leader has announced, in a letter to all residents, the challenging financial position that the Council finds itself in as a result of the Covid 19 crisis.

What action is the Council taking to balance this year’s budget, and how will that be approved?’

6             Councillor Kitching

‘The theatre industry and the arts in general are likely to be one of the last to recover from the Covid crisis, and some theatres may not recover at all. We are rightly proud of our theatres in Barnsley and our thriving arts scene will no doubt form an essential part of the town’s recover and regeneration.

What level of support is the Council offering to local theatres to ensure they survive? For example, will there be help with rent and leases?’

7             Councillor Kitching

‘Leisure centres and swimming pools are receiving very little support from the government. Given the importance of exercise on both physical and mental health and well-being, what are the Council’s plans to keep leisure centres open in this time of huge financial uncertainty?’