Agenda item

Members heard how YMCA had been appointed to deliver a service to ‘build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’ and was making arrangements to start on 1^st April, 2017.  Members noted that this service would differ from that currently as work would be more focused, intensive and individuals would be supported over a longer term.  It aimed to identify issues and signpost to other support agencies.

With regards to the complementary services to build emotional resilience in children and young people, Members heard how five organisations had applied to the scheme, with four applications proceeding to the evaluation panel.  Work was ongoing to further develop the projects, and details would be made available once finalised.

Members were made aware that the procurement of a service to reduce loneliness and isolation in vulnerable adults and older people had commenced with tender applications to be returned by 17^th March, 2017, with a view to the service starting in July, 2017. 

The meeting noted that advice had been taken that the procurement should initially be for 12 months, with an option to extend for further periods of 12 months and then 9 months, which differed slightly from that originally proposed whereby there would have been initial period of 9 months followed by subsequent extension periods of 12 months and 12 months.  However, it was recognised that the service would be provided over the same combined period at the same cost.

The attention of Members was drawn to the contract with Kingdom Security, the first year of which would come to an end on 20^th April, 2017.  Members were reminded of the option to extend for two further periods of 12 months.   Following discussion Members were minded to renew the contract, but wanted to seek assurance that the service was being delivered throughout the Central Area, and that officers were not merely concentrating on those easy to fine around the town centre.  It was suggested that Ward level data, and type of fines issued (cigarette ends or general litter) could be considered to ensure this was the case.

It was suggested that the contract was extended, but with an in depth review taking place in Autumn 2017 to consider the effectiveness of the service, and whether it provided value for money.

The meeting discussed the Home Visiting Service provided by Homestart, and the recommendation to extend this for a further 6 months. In view of the impact the project was making, Members decided to extend this for a further year at a cost of £20,000 if it was possible to do so within contract procurement rules.  This would allow adequate time to undertake a check and challenge exercise into family support services provided centrally by the Council, and procure a service to help address any identified gaps if required.

The Area Council Manager gave a brief overview of the financial situation for the Area Council.  Taking account of expected expenditure, approximately £111,000 would be carried forward in 2017/18, £80,000 in 2018/19 and £63,000 in 2019/20.

In considering the finances, Members discussed the potential of devolving finance from the Area Council to the Ward Alliances for the 2017/18 financial year.  It was suggested that £10,000 per ward be devolved, subject to the same caveats as previously agreed.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        That the outcome of the process to secure a provider to deliver a service to ‘build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’, be noted;

(ii)       That the progress made in identifying additional local providers to delivery complementary services for building emotional resilience in children and young people aged 8-19 years be noted;

(iii)      That the update regarding the procurement of a service to ‘reduce loneliness and social isolation in adults (over 50 years) and older people be noted and the amendment to contract periods as specified in the report be approved;

(iv)     That, subject to the provision of increased monitoring information,  approval be given to the extension of the Environmental Enforcement service for a further 12 months to 20^th April, 2018, with a in depth review of the service to be undertaken in Autumn 2017;

(v)       That, if possible, approval be given to extend the contract to provide a Private Rented Home Visiting Service, delivered by Homestart, South Yorkshire, at a cost of £20,000 for a further year;

(vi)     That £10,000 per ward be devolved to each of the Ward Alliance Funds  in the Central Area for the 2017/18 financial year, to be allocated by 31^st March, 2018 and spent by 31^st July, 2018 and any remaining amount to be returned to Central Area Council;

(vii)    That the financial position for 2014/15 and 2015/16, and the projected expenditure for 2016/17-2019/20 be noted.