Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item referring to the previous item and the discussion about the performance of Royal Voluntary Service.  Members noted that the contract was due to come to an end on 30^th June, 2019 and approval was required in order to extend this for a final 9 month period.

A further update was provided on the contract with Family Lives.  The recent recruitment exercise had been unsuccessful, so therefore the post had been re-advertised together with a more targeted recruitment campaign.  Discussions were currently taking place to move the contract start date to 1^st April, 2019.

Discussions had recently taken place with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance regarding the targets associated with their next contract, and the need for these to be more challenging.

The Area Council Manager updated Members on the issues associated with the new Environmental Enforcement contract which would be delivered by District Enforcement from 1^st April, 2019.  The contract was supported by a Service Level Agreement with the Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Service which provided the relevant infrastructure for processing fixed penalty notices (FPNs), uniforms and transport.  Members were made aware that, given the reduced numbers of Area Councils procuring an enforcement service, and the desire to move to an integrated electronic system, a further £3,000 was required.

Members noted the number of variables associated with the contract, including the increase of FPNs to £100 and the focus on litter other than cigarette ends.  It was acknowledged that the contract would be carefully monitored and decisions would be made in due course whether to continue with this contract in the longer term.

An update was provided on the arrangements made in relation to the Central Area Council Wellbeing Fund.  The fund was launched at the end of January, and a workshop was subsequently held with 32 people attending, representing 24 organisations.  Feedback from the event had been positive and it was noted that the closing date for applications was the 22^nd March, 2019. A report on the successful applications would be provided to the Area Council at its meeting on 29^th April, 2019.

An overview of the current financial position was provided, and Members heard that approximately £25,000 remained for 2019/20.  This would be reduced with the increased cost of the SLA for the Environmental Enforcement Contract, but may also increase from income from Fixed Penalty Notices.

Feedback was provided from the recently held workshop where the priorities for the Area Council had been discussed.  The workshop attendees considered where finance had been invested and what this had achieved.  Members had discussed the strengths of the Area Council and areas for improvement.  In addition consideration had been given to the changing demographic and future demand predicted in the area.

The workshop had felt that the existing priorities were still largely appropriate, but that further exploration was required on the area of employability and skills.

Members discussed how to take this work forward and it was suggested that workshops be convened to discuss each priority in more detail with a detailed report to be considered by the Area Council in due course.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the overview of the current Central Area Council priorities be noted;

(ii)       that the overview of all Central Area Council contracts and Service Level Agreements be noted;

(iii)      that the contract with RVS to address loneliness and isolation in adults and older people be extended for a further 9 month period (1^st July, 2019 – 31^st March, 2020) at a cost of £100,000;

(iv)                  that an additional £3,000 be approved for the Service Level Agreement with the Safer Neighbourhood Service to provide relevant support for the Environmental Enforcement Contract during April 2019 – March 2020;

(v)       that the update about the development, launch and implementation of the Central Area Well-being Fund be noted;

(vi)      that the financial position for 2018/19 and the projected expenditure for 2020/21-2022/23 be noted; and

(vii)     that the update from the workshop to review priorities be supported and the proposed way forward be supported.