Agenda item

Andrea Battye and Emma Turton from Barnsley YMCA were welcomed to the meeting to speak about the Unity Project.  This had been commissioned by the Area Council to help young people improve their resilience and promote positive emotional health and wellbeing.  Members noted the programme of activities delivered with partners, which included schools.  Members were reminded of the original organisation of the project, which aimed to deliver two sessions every week in each ward within the Central Area and also provided specific provision within school holidays. The sessions were led by young people and the service also also offered opportunities for peer support and volunteering.

Those present heard of the changes necessary due to restrictions in place to address the pandemic.  However, positive relationships had been maintained and nurtured throughout. Where possible lunchtime clubs in schools continued, as well as detached street-based activities, and virtual online sessions amongst others arranged in Covid safe ways. 

Despite lockdowns, the service had delivered 211 sessions and reached 213 children and young people in 2020/21 with other performance targets also being met. 

Members received case studies from the work undertaken in each Ward and praised the work of the service, continually adapting delivery in order to meet the needs of young people.  Members acknowledged the significant challenges, and thanks were given for the continuity the programme provided for young people who had been affected by the pandemic. 

Questions were raised in relation to access to IT, as an increasing number of services were provided virtually.  It was noted that young people did miss face-to-face contact and, now that teaching was online, felt increasingly overloaded by the use of technology. Members heard that detached sessions were still provided when possible to address this, and to include those who had poor access to digital services.  It was noted that support was available those not digitally enabled, and it was suggested that the service highlights any issues they are aware of with families struggling due to a lack of IT.

The Area Managers then spoke to the report previously circulated.   Members were reminded of previous discussions about the service to support new and expectant mothers.  The Area Council approved the service in December 2018. Following a procurement process the service commenced in April 2019 for a year, with an option to extend this for two further periods of a year.

In year 1 it was noted that reports regarding the impact of the service were positive, however referrals were still considerably below target. Members had agreed for the service to be continued into year two, with efforts to increase the numbers being referred.

It was noted that in the second year Covid had severely impacted the service. Referrals were still below target, but the service still engaged volunteers successfully, and the impact on those accessing the service was significant.

Members discussed the service and the impact it would have in light of current restrictions which meant that new and expectant mothers were increasingly isolated. Concerns were expressed about referrals. It was noted that a significant number of referrals being made were not eligible due to individuals being resident outside the Central area, and this may have discouraged further referrals. Members discussed the service and whether it provided value for money in some depth.

The attention of Members was drawn to the service to create a cleaner and greener environment with local people. The contract had commenced in April 2019 and had since been extended for a further year.  It had increasingly focused on supporting new groups and increasing volunteering.  Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions the service had to be flexed and had been supporting Neighbourhood Services.   However, despite restrictions, the service continued to perform well against performance measures.

Members commented on the need for more environmental education, and it was noted that the service had arranged sessions with a number of local schools, but these had to be postponed.

Members then discussed the Environmental Enforcement Service delivered by District Enforcement, with a supporting Service Level Agreement provided through the Safer Neighbourhood Service.  During the first lockdown the service had been flexed, and had not issued any fixed penalty notices (FPNs), but patrols can continued, which provided useful intelligence.  The issuing of FPNs had since resumed, with approximately £13,000 issued within the year.

Those present discussed the service in detail, noting that the number of complaints about the volume of dog fouling and litter remained high.  It was noted that Ward level information on patrolling and issuing of FPNs would be provided to Members.  Members were encouraged to continue to report issues in as much detail as possible, including litter being thrown from vehicles.

Members were reminded of the Central Wellbeing Fund and the grant issued to Creative Recovery.  Delivery had focused on two wards, with the extension of the project to deliver in two further wards dependent on performance. It was suggested that this be considered in more detail at the next meeting of the Area Council.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That thanks be provided to staff at YMCA for the presentation and for their continued hard work in the Central Area;

(ii)          That the overview of Central Area Council’s current priorities, contracts, contract extensions, Service Level Agreements and Well-being Fund projects and associated timescales be noted;

(iii)        That the financial position for 2020-21 and projected expenditure as outlined in Appendices 1 and 2, be noted;

(iv)        That the overview of Central Area Council projects approaching the end of the contracted period be noted;

(v)          That approval be given for the service for new and expectant mothers delivered by Family Lives to be continued for a further year at a cost of £50,000 from 1^st May, 2021 to 30^th April, 2022;

(vi)        That approval be given for the service to create a cleaner and greener environment in conjunction with local people delivered by Twiggs Grounds Maintenance to be continued for further year at a cost of £95,000 from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022;

(vii)       That approval be given for the Environmental Enforcement Service delivered by District Enforcement Ltd to be continued for a further year at an annual cost of £45,000 from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022;

(viii)     That approval be given for the Service Level Agreement with Safer Neighbourhoods to be continued for a further year at a cost of £13,000 from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022;

(ix)        That approval be given for the service to build emotional resilience in children and young people delivered by YMCA to be continued for a further year at a cost of £136,500 from 1^st April, 2021 to 31^st March, 2022;

(x)          That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Communities to negotiate necessary contract variations for the service support new and expectant mothers delivered by Family Lives, and the service to create a clean and green environment in conjunction with local people delivered by Twiggs Grounds Maintenance, following liaison with the Central Area Council Chair; and

(xi)        That the phase 2 grant for the Creative Recovery ‘Uplift Project’ be considered at the next meeting of the Area Council in March, 2021.