Agenda item

Claire Dawson, Dearne Area Council Manager spoke to the report previously circulated.

An overview of the financial position was provided.  The Area Council had an opening budget of £204,720.67, which was supplemented by an additional £10,000 from the hardship fund. Members had approved the Education, Environment and Volunteer Service, Housing and Migration Officer, Employability Service and Social Connectivity Service, together with an allocation of £28,000 to the Dearne Development Fund.  It was noted that £163.67 remained.  However, £9,500 from NESTA to support the Social Connectivity Service had been received, leaving a total of £9,663.67 unallocated.

Following the allocation of £28,000 to the Dearne Development Fund, together with £10,000 from the hardship fund, and finance carried forward from 2019/20, £41,650.68 was available to distribute.  Members noted that awards had been given to DIAL and CAB, and that £23,427.68 remained in the fund.

The attention of Members was drawn to the duration of the current contracts held by B:Friend,  with this in the first of two years of the contract,  and the service level agreement for the Housing and Migration Officer which was in its final year.

Members noted that the contract with DECV had been granted on a 1+1+1-year basis and was at the end of the first year. A recommendation was made to approve its continuation until 31^st March, 2022.

Similarly, the contract with Twiggs Grounds Maintenance had been granted on at 2+1+1 year basis, and a recommendation was made to extend this into its third year until 31st March, 2022

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the current financial position and the impact on future budgets be noted;

(ii)          That the latest position with regards to commissioned services be noted;

(iii)         That approval be given for the Education, Environment and Employability Service to continue in to the third year of the contract from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022 at a cost of £85,000;

(iv)             That approval be given for the Employability contract to continue into the second year of the contract from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022 at a cost of £33,000.