Agenda item

a.    Strategic Approach to the Recovery Phase – David Robinson

b.    Role of Area Councils and Ward Alliances in Recovery – Phil Hollingsworth

c.    Implications for the Area Council Planned Approach – Rachel Payling

David Robinson, Service Director Customer Information and Digital Services, Phil Hollingsworth, Service Director Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communities and Rachel Payling, Head of Stronger Communities, were welcomed to the meeting to present the item.

An overview of the strategic approach was provided, acknowledging that Covid-19 was different to previous incidents due to its length and ongoing impact. The recovery provided an opportunity for renewal and restart in some areas, and it was acknowledged that responses needed to be agile and adaptive due to the complicated nature of the situation.

The pandemic also offered opportunities to realign values, strengthen relationships with partners and create a new normal as restrictions begin to lift. Members heard how the Government had drafted a recovery and renewal strategy, and one was in development at a South Yorkshire level.  Barnsley plans would align and be complementary.  It was noted future plans needed to be interactive in order to respond to the need for services to be turned on and off in relation to further peaks.  It was also noted that responses would be different depending on the needs of particular groups of people, including those shielding. Moving forward interventions would need to be able to both respond to any peaks and enable recovery.

Three horizons were considered – h1 immediate recovery steps; h2 post-peak recovery steps; and h3 realising the recovery objectives.  It was suggested that Barnsley was moving into h2, with lockdown being lifted. This was a period of innovation and that certain positives from the pandemic needed to be retained. As Barnsley moves forward, the h3 horizon provides the opportunity to define the objectives of recovery and the future wanted for the borough.

Members heard how the Council’s draft recovery strategy encompassed 5 points; Humanitarian – Health and Wellbeing; Business Economy; Building Resilience; Education and Attainment; and Infrastructure and the Environment.  It was recognised that all of which needed to be underpinned by the financial stability of the Council.

Members noted the steps being undertaken to develop and implement the recovery strategy, including conducting impact analysis, giving consideration to what services need to be restarted, maintained, or discontinued, and monitoring, learning and being adaptive going forward. It was noted that plans required the contribution of a wide range of partners across Barnsley.

In considering the role of Area Councils, the valuable contribution they played in responding to the crisis through the flexing of commissioned services, and the refocusing of community organisations was acknowledged, as was the role they would play in assisting recovery.

Members noted that, in light of the current financial position, the Council was reviewing all budgets and service areas to ensure they remained relevant in relation to Covid-19 and recovery efforts.  Members were reminded of the cessation of all non-essential expenditure earlier in the year.

For the Area Council, the overall budget remained unaltered for 2020/21, but it was suggested that there was a need to review priorities and commissioning intentions to ensure that they were still relevant.

Those present heard of the anticipated challenges ahead, which included poverty and worklessness; schooling and education; mental health and emotional wellbeing; re-establishing the fabric of society; and impacts on health and wellbeing from a reduced accessing of services.

It was noted that the Council’s strategic direction such as in relation to digital, an inclusive economy and Zero40 remained relevant. It was also suggested that the pandemic had offered opportunities, with agile working potentially supporting more district centres, the establishment of support networks in the communities, and a greater insight into those who are most vulnerable in communities.

Members were reminded of the guidance issued in relation to Ward Alliance Funds, and that the base budget of £10,000 per ward would remain, but plans for an additional £10,000 had been paused due to the current financial situation.  It was emphasised that Ward Alliance expenditure should support recovery efforts, with the only exception being where finance had already been approved and local businesses had committed resources.

Although there was an interest in re-establishing community events, it was acknowledged that this was not appropriate in the current climate, but that this position would be reviewed for 2021/22.

Members noted the previous requirement for Ward Alliances to match 50% of their funds with external finance or volunteer time. It was recognised that this would be difficult to achieve and would therefore be relaxed for the current financial year.

An update was provided in relation to the provision of grass cutting, which had been impacted on from prioritising domestic waste collection.  It was noted that that this would now recommence, with the backlog being addressed in due course.  In addition, it was noted that the collection of domestic green waste was due to recommence on 9^th June.

Members heard how initially the Central Area Team responded to the pandemic by mapping the support available in the area.  These services were then supported and promoted by the team.  In addition, support was also provided for the communication of more boroughwide messages.  The team, assisted by officers and Councillors, distributed approximately 5,000 postcards in the area highlighting available support, specifically focusing on the most vulnerable.

Support was provided to implement the Community Responder service, which supported those who were vulnerable or shielding.  A training package was development and implemented with the support of Barnsley CVS, with 250 responders volunteering, and 445 requests for support across the borough.

Within the Central Area, 54 volunteers were engaged as Community Responders, with 110 requests for support.  57 of these were for assistance with shopping and 53 for befriending.  Communities themselves also responded to the pandemic, with activity in each ward including support for those most vulnerable.

Members heard how the contracts held by the Area Council had been flexed in light of the pandemic.  Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had been supporting Neighbourhood Services by cleaning areas, picking up litter and cutting grass. Support was also provided to maintain areas normally looked after by volunteers.

The contract delivered by the YMCA continued, but with support now provided through online means and through telephone calls.

All legal agreements had been signed for the successful projects to be delivered through the Youth Work Fund, with delivery commencing when safe to do so.

DIAL had flexed their arrangements to provide the service through telephone calls and online platforms, and Hope House had made arrangements to ensure their delivery was safe.

Members were reminded of the research being undertaken in relation to social isolation and it was suggested that this feeds into a working group prior to the next meeting of the Area Council.

District Enforcement had continued patrolling, providing a useful source of neighbourhood intelligence in relation to such as fly tipping, and ensuring play areas were secured and not being used.

The SLA to address fly-tipping in the area continued to provide support; working with residents and landlords, and investigating suspect vehicles carrying waste. It was noted that the contract was due to end in November and therefore decisions would be required about the future of the service in due course.

In relation to the service to support new tenants living in private sector rented accommodation, it was noted that 158 tenants had been identified prior to lockdown, with contact made with 35. The service was flexed to take account of Covid-19 and it was noted that this service also was due to end in November, 2020.

The perinatal service delivered by Family Lives had moved to engaging their client group via online means and by telephone.  Families had been supported accessing food banks and food vouchers, with assistance provided in a variety of areas such as relationships, domestic abuse and accessing counselling.

Members were reminded of the current financial commitments of the Area Council which had 7 commissioned services and 3 grant funded projects.  It was noted that there was an allocation for the celebration event, and this could be used when appropriate.

The services combined to deliver against the priorities of Environment; Health and Wellbeing; Community Safety; and Young People, and Members were reminded of the ongoing work to consider social isolation and the possibility of supporting voluntary youth club provision in the area.