Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, making Members aware that data referred to the end of the financial year 2017/18.  A number of projects had come to a conclusion at the end of the financial year, including Bumping Spaces, Penistone Round Table, Penistone Youth Project, Cycle Penistone and the TPT Volunteers.  It was also noted the South Pennine Community Transport CIC pilot had finished, however a subsequent bid for continuation had been recommended for approval.

Part A of the report provided an overview of performance across all of the investment made by the Area Council.  Attention was due to the significantly increased numbers of adults and young people engaged in volunteering, and of community groups supported.  These increases were attributed to the performance of the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance.

The attention of Members was drawn to the numbers of people receiving training, which now stood at 369, an increase from 188 in the previous quarter.  This was due to the informal training, including the use of equipment, provided to all volunteers when engaging with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance.

Members discussed the performance of DIAL.  Numbers of clients being seen had dropped slightly since January, though this was thought to be due to excessively high demand in the early New Year due to sessions cancelled before Christmas.   Demand was now being more effectively managed, and therefore staff were not keen on implementing an appointment system at the moment.

Attention was drawn to the exceptional performance of Cycle Penistone, which now only required 10% grant funding.  The project worked with Raleigh Cycles to sell ex-demonstrator bikes, as well as recycling bikes in partnership with Barnsley Council. Members praised its success.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.