Agenda item

The Area Council Manager presented a performance management report for quarter 3 of 2017/18. 

The attention of Members was drawn to Part A of the report, which provided an overview of the impact of all contracted services since April 2017.

The Area Council Manager then provided a brief update on each of the commissioned services, as detailed in Part B of the report.

With regards to YMCA, 119 sessions had been delivered, with 31 new young people engaged, and 1700 attendances overall.  There had been 1 new adult and 12 new young people volunteering within the quarter.  It was noted that information relating to age, disability and ethnicity was contained within the report, but caution was expressed regarding its accuracy as people did not always identify themselves within certain categories such as disabled.  In addition it was also noted that baseline information was being collected by the service to help evidence the distance travelled by participants.

Attention was drawn to the information relating to the contract with Kingdom Security.   Members noted that 152 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued within the quarter; 146 for littering and 6 for dog fouling.  Those present heard of the targeted dog fouling operations conducted around Gordon Street and Worsbrough Mill, and the ‘Bin it to Win it’ campaign.

Members heard of the contract with Twiggs and their discussions with Voluntary Action Barnsley to enhance opportunities for volunteering.  Also noted was the added value work of the team, with approximately 145 additional pieces of work undertaken.  Members noted that 10 social action projects had been led by Twiggs, with 31 new adult, and 13 new young people volunteering.

As part of the delivery of the Private Sector Housing SLA 192 properties were visited within the quarter, with approximately 2,400 visited since the inception of the project.  Members acknowledged the wide range of issues assisted with through the case studies provided.

With regards to the Private Sector Housing Home Visiting Service, 10 new referrals had been received, with all having received an initial visit.  2 new adult volunteers had been engaged with 5 more having recently completed their training.  The Little Monkeys group continued to work well, and additional external funds had been received in order to provide activity packs, which also contained details of other support services, at Christmas.

The Youth Resilience Fund projects continued to perform satisfactorily, with only amber ratings relating to Exodus due to low numbers of young volunteers.  However this was likely to be rectified in future quarters.  Members noted that numbers often reduced in winter months, especially with detached youth work, due to the weather.

Some concerns were raised around the additionality of the investment from the Area Council, and the difficulties in showing direct correlation between investment and outputs/outcomes at times were noted.

Members heard how the Christmas fayre organised by The Youth Association was very well received, and how the YMCA had been successful in accessing external funds to carry on the work in the Dodworth ward after the summer holidays.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.