Agenda item

Performance Report Q3 (Dac.20.01.2020/3)

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager introduced the item referring to the report, which contained performance from services commissioned by the Area Council and those projects funded through the Dearne Development Fund.

 

Members noted that performance was for quarter 3 of 2019/20 and that there were no major issues with any of the commissions.

 

The Employability Service was performing well, with 78 learners to date engaged; 28 within the last quarter.  15 of those engaged had gone into employment, 56 gained a qualification, and 61 had gone on to further training.

 

It was noted that recently referrals from Job Centre Plus were requiring more intensive support to return to the job market, which was felt may impact on the achievement of targets.  A push on social media, and within the community magazine, was thought would help to improve the numbers of self-referrals.

 

With regards to performance against the contract held by Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, 25 social action events had been held within the quarter, 10 groups supported, and 56 new volunteers recruited.  Two areas had been adopted by residents and two impact sessions had been held with schools or community groups. 


Noted was the number of used needles in the area, which was increasing.  The Area Council Manager made Members aware that they were working with relevant drug services to help manage and reduce this issue.

 

The service to reduce Social Isolation being delivered by B:Friend had received three requests for pairing within the quarter, and had brokeews eight new pairings.  In total 360 volunteer hours had been pledged.  There had been four new volunteers recruited and 20 further enquiries about volunteering.

 

Members noted the case study, and the significant impact the service had on the lives of those involved.  Also noted was the number of men engaging in the Thurnscoe Social Club.  Although small, this was positive.

 

Members were reminded that nine applications had been funded through the Dearne Development Fund, with approximately £25,000 remaining in the fund at the time the report was written.

 

Goldthorpe Development Group continued to perform well, with the lowest number of attendees at any of their sessions being 54, but over the past quarter attendances totalled 241.  102 had attended their Christmas session, with plans being put in place for the event to be ticketed in future in order to avoid overcrowding.

 

The TADS service had supported five young people from the Astrea Academy Dearne, with many requiring intensive support for complex issues.  In addition eight young people attending primary schools in the area had also been supported.  11 had attended the drop-in and yoga sessions, and feedback from schools in the area was very positive.

 

The Little Talkers project had engaged with six families so far, with the service receiving positive feedback.  Families were engaging in new activities and parents were being upskilled as a result.

 

The advice service being delivered by CAB had delivered 20 sessions within the quarter, assisting 67 clients. Clients had been assisted to claim over £35,000 of additional benefit, and around £94,000 of debt had been managed.

 

Members noted that B:Friend had received additional finance from the Development Fund which had enablesd the service to deliver on an additional day.  Due to this the service had reached out to 23 older neighbours who were now engaged in either 1:1 activity or through social groups.

 

Due to the contract with DIAL to provide advice around £233,000 of additional benefit had been gained to date.  Within the last quarter 22 sessions had been held and 97 residents supported.  Members noted the complexity of issues dealt with and that the service was often oversubscribed with people queuing for long periods of time. 

 

RESOLVED:- That the report be noted.

Supporting documents:

 

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