Agenda item

This item was introduced by the Area Council Manager, who drew attention to

·         The Area Council priorities and the current position with regard to Providers who had been appointed to deliver a series of services to address those priorities and deliver the outcomes and social value objectives of the Area Council.  It also detailed the current position with regard to contract value and length, the contract start date and re-commissioning date (if applicable).  The Area Council Manager also gave an oral update of the current position with regard to re-commissioning.

·         Part A – the overview of performance

·         Part B, featuring more in depth information on the performance of each contract

With regard to the work of the Environmental Enforcement  Team, it was noted that the number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued for littering was 805 compared to 626 reported previously.  In addition, it was noted that 20 notices had been issued in the previous week.  Visits had been made to ASOS and meetings were to be held with that company to explore working with staff to try to keep the grounds and surrounding public areas clear of litter which was currently an issue for those living near the site.  ASOS were keen to promote this and resolve the problem.  They had recently installed 30 litter bins on their land.  An investigation would be undertaken to ensure that multi lingual ‘anti-littering’ signs were displayed.  A ‘promotional campaign’ was being considered.

The number of Parking PCN Notices was now 174 compared to 150 previously reported.  The number of young people referred to restorative justice provision had risen to 10 compared to 5 previously reported.  The income received from enforcement activity was now £41,394 compared to the previously reported figure of £29,844.

Reference was made to the Case Studies provided by BMBC Welfare Rights and Barnsley Citizen’s Advice Bureau for the One Stop Shop contract which were appended to the report many of which made sombre reading and these very much highlighted the need to continue addressing the social value objectives of the Area Council.  In this context reference was made to the One Stop Shop which had seen over a 50% increase in clients since the previous quarter for both Welfare Rights and Citizens Advice sessions.  Arising out of this discussion, reference was  made to the benefits gained as a result of advice received which amounted to nearly £1m.  It was also noted that unmanageable debt was continuing to increase with a number of clients using pay day loan companies although it was pleasing to note that the number of clients choosing to use such companies appeared to be reducing.

Arising out of the above, reference was made to the difficulties associated with the increasing use of Zero Hours contracts, particularly in with retail sector, and to peoples working hours being restricted which was then impacting on benefits claimed.

It was noted that the number of clients referred for specialist help was continuing to rise with 427 cases referred compared to 314 previously reported.

Reference was made to the increasing use of FoodBanks and it was suggested that leaflets promoting the other services available be included within food parcels.  It was noted that a FoodBank had now started in Hoyland via the Salvation Army who were now looking for referrals as well as volunteers.

Work was continuing in trying to increase the number of adult volunteers engaged as well as the number of young people engaged in volunteering.  An article had been included within the Community Magazine but it was thought that word of mouth worked better.

Referring to the changing relationship between the Council and the Community it was noted that the number of businesses encouraged to maintain their own environment by the Tidy Team had continued to increase. 

With regard to opportunities for young people, it was noted that currently 88% of students taking part in the Summer Internship Programme provided by C+K Careers were reporting increased confidence about future plans and consideration was being given to how the remaining 12% could be satisfactorily addressed. It was reported that a full evaluation report would be available late December and would be submitted to the Area Council as part of the Performance Management report for consideration at the February meeting.  It was noted that C+K Careers staff would now stay in touch with the young people right through Y11 and until they were settled into their first positive destination post 16.

There was a discussion centring on need to better understand the social return on investment provided by the Area Council commissioned projects.  The Area Council Manager reported that external consultants had been brought in to help to develop this understanding and, in addition to training staff in social return methodologies, would also be doing an in-depth analysis on one project per Area Council.  The One Stop Shop had been chosen for the South Area, but following training from consultants, it was hoped that the Area Teams would also be able to assess the other Area Council projects. 

The positive messages arising from the publication and distribution of the Community Magazine were highlighted although it was noted that not all areas had received a copy.  The Area Council Manager would take this matter up to ensure that, as far as possible, there was a full area distribution.  Arising out of this, reference was made to the need to ensure that wherever possible, positive messages about the type of work being undertaken and the initiatives of the Area Council were given out, this could be at meetings or via press opportunities.  Members were encouraged to highlight issues at the full Council meeting which, it was noted, was also webcast.  To this end, the Chair also commented that it was his intention to attend Ward Alliance meetings on a quarterly basis starting in February, to bring Ward Alliance members up to date on the progress of Area Council projects in their area, and to identify potential ways for Alliances to actively support and promote them.

Arising out of the above, reference was made to the extremely good recycling rates for the area which it was suggested should be highlighted via the media.  The Service Director Organisation and Workforce Improvement would ensure that this was picked up as part of the quarterly media report.

RESOLVED that the report on the performance of contracted services be received.