Agenda item

Performance Report Q3 (Pac.13.02.2020/5)

Minutes:

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, and Members noted that the report covered the period October to December, 2019. 

 

Five contracts were in place for services delivering in the area, these were held by Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, Age UK, DIAL, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and South Pennine Community Transport.  The Area Council Manager made Members aware that there were no concerns about any of the contracts.

 

The attention of Members was drawn to the overview of performance, and it was noted that the services contributed to some of the priorities more than others.  It was suggested that the local economy and supporting young people may be areas where Members wished to focus investment on in the future. 

 

Members noted the numbers of volunteers engaged, and those influencing the design and maintenance of their environment.  19 Community groups had been supported within the quarter, 2 of these being new.  79 residents and young people had also received advice and support within the quarter.

 

With regards to the current contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, it was noted that this would come to the end of the extension period on 31st March, 2020.  Generally performance against the contract was very positive.  Although weather had been poor, the numbers of businesses engaged was relatively high, though number of schools worked with had reduced, but 11 pupils had still been engaged.

 

The edible beds by Windermere Road in Penistone were now being looked after by a group of volunteers, and groups such as Team Green Moor and Tankersley and Pilley Environmental Group (TPEG) were still very active.

 

A new business, Garden Creations had been engaged and a new community group around the railway turntable near Green Road had been developed.

 

Also positive was the HBEE+ group which had been established to look after a patch of land under a gardening licence granted by the Council in order to create a habitat for bees and other pollinators.

 

The relationship with Cawthorne Parish Council had developed further and support was still given to the Watermeadows group and to the Marketeers.  Members noted the work in Thurlstone at Spout House Well and with Bank View Café.

 

Members discussed the issue of vandalism and litter in the Market Barn, with some of the latter associated with drug use.  It was noted that the Police were aware, and it was envisaged that some of the litter issues may be able to be solved with additional bin capacity.

 

Progress against the three lots being delivered by Age UK was considered.  Overall all lots were performing well, with 41 volunteer hours pledged in the quarter.  Many volunteers were working on a one-to-one basis, with 5 new volunteers recruited in the quarter and 4 new enquires.   As well as working with individuals on a one-to-one basis, there was also the ability to arrange small scale group activities such as lunches.

 

Those present heard of the increase in older people being referred to the service who had more complex issues, which the service was not equipped to respond to.  These were therefore referred on to social care.

 

Members heard that a positive impact on measures of wellbeing and isolation had been seen due to the interventions by Age UK.

 

The Pen Pal project was said to be working well, and was the first of its kind in the borough. Not only did it impact on loneliness but it helped young and old to engage with each other.

 

Members praised the work of Age UK, including that which sought to address issues in some of the more isolated communities within the area, many of which had lost their community hub in recent times.

 

Information and advice was also provided through the first lot of the contract, with the majority of beneficiaries being aged over 70 years old. Within the quarter £35,000 of additional benefit had been gained, bringing the total to approximately £150,000 for the year.

 

Within the quarter 108 journeys had been undertaken as part of the community car scheme, but with only 5 volunteer drivers and 10 repeat users.  All users and drivers were encouraged to continue to use the booking system in order to monitor usage.

 

Lot 2 of the contract with Age UK was focused on promoting healthy lifestyles.  Work continued with groups in Pilley and Wortley, and also development work was taking place around the Crow Edge, Carlecoates and Dunford area.

 

The Men in Sheds project had successfully launched and was being well attended. Plans were in place to undertake work to make or fix things within the community.

 

The third lot managed by Age UK was to create and manage a network in the area and the SOPPA network (Supporting Older People in the Penistone Area) was established as part of this.   The network now had 13 members, with a community nurse recently joining.  As part of the lot, work was being undertaken to inform ‘Age Friendly Penistone’.  Research had been undertaken and results were being analysed.  Members heard that the findings from this would feed into an action plan and the Principal Towns programme.  It was acknowledged that not all targets within the lot had been met, as it had taken time to establish the network.

 

Members heard how Age UK would be undertaking an evaluation of the interventions funded by the Area Council in Penistone with feedback from this being presented to a future meeting.

 

To date 52 individuals had received advice from DIAL with £161,000 of additional benefit claimed.  For every £1 the Area Council had invested, £36.77 had been brought into the area.  It was acknowledged that each resident accessing the service could provide a positive impact on the wider family.

 

Members noted the positive work and discussed the extent of the problem of under claimed benefits throughout the area.  Promotion of the service was considered, but it was noted that this may require additional capacity.  It was suggested that the Area Council Manager discusses these issues with DIAL and reports back to the Area Council.

 

Citizen’s Advice Bureau was now in the second 12 month period of funding from the Working Together Fund.   Although the offer was positive, it was felt that use by residents was somewhat sporadic, but Members suggested that the arrangements (2nd and 4th Wednesdays) were somewhat confusing.  It was proposed that some promotion could be undertaken, and closer working between this service and DIAL may be beneficial.

 

South Pennine Community Transport reported over 3,500 passengers making journeys on the 25 bus  service within the quarter, showing its popularity.  Discussions were taking place with SYPTE regarding  future support  to  the service, and it was noted that this may require an element of further grant funding from the Working Together Fund to continue to operate beyond March 2020.

 

The 25a service had recently been introduced. Although the offer was limited, the service had been well received.

 

The organisation was in discussion with Thurgoland Parish Council with regards to providing an additional service, which may link to Fox Valley. 

It was noted that South Pennine Community Transport had launched their 5 year strategy, and had recent success at the Community Transport Awards, being amongst the top 3 community transport providers of the year.

 

Members wish to express their thanks to the Area Council Manager in ensuring the success of the commissions and the effective delivery.

 

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the report be received;

(ii)          That the Area Council Manager discusses with DIAL the current levels of demand and potential promotion and expansion of the service;

(iii)         That the Area Council Manager suggests greater levels of cross promotion and referrals between DIAL and CAB services in the area; and

(iv)         That the Area Council Manager be thanked for their hard work in successfully managing all Area Council contracts to ensure their effective delivery.

Supporting documents:

 

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