Agenda item

Claire Dawson, Dearne Area Council Manager spoke to the report previously circulated which sought to delegate to the Executive Director Adults and Communities responsibility to make changes to the current activities/targets of the environmental, Education and volunteer Service currently delivered by Twigg’s Grounds Maintenance.

Members were reminded that at the meeting held on the 16^th November, 2020 the Area Council had agreed a third-year extension of the environmental, education and volunteer contract with an option to extend for a further year thereafter.  It was noted, however, that the restrictions posed by the Covid pandemic had posed difficulties for Twigg’s in working with volunteers, groups, businesses and schools.

On the 14^th December, 2020, Members together with the Area Manager and representatives of the procurement team had met to discuss activities and targets set for Twigg’s at the start of their contract, to review those targets in the light of the pandemic and to discuss a possible variation to the contract in view of the difficulties encountered.  As a result of that meeting, alternative activities and targets had been suggested with others being put on hold for the next 12 months and details of the proposals were outlined within the report.

It was noted that in the past, Twigg’s had adopted an approach of working with groups and organisations (in addition to proactive and reactive work) but due to the current pandemic situation it was suggested that there would have to be much more emphasis on the reactive and proactive elements of the contract whilst, at the same time, working with volunteers and groups that were able to do so, accepting that this kind of work would be restricted.  It was proposed, therefore, that a schedule would be developed for the Service to work towards for the next 12 months

The next steps in the process would be to work through the activities and targets with the provider and with the procurement team in order to develop a work schedule and a variation to the original contract.  Members of the Area Council together with the Area Team and partners would continue to work to build up a schedule of activity based around reactive work.  It was anticipated that this schedule would be available in early February in time for the start of the new financial year.  The Service would proactively target areas that were not already within the schedule and the Area Manager would hold discussions with Neighbourhood Services to ensure that there was no duplication of work/work areas.

Arising out of the discussion, reference was made to the work currently undertaken within the area by the Shaw Foundation in association with other organisations including the Thurnscoe Tenants Association.  Particular reference was made to the difficulties that were encountered when litter was picked up on private land and for which the Council had no responsibility to remove/collect.  The Area Council Manager stated that she would circulate a link which could be shared with the Tenants Association which gave details of land ownership within the area. 

It was important, however, to ensure that there was no duplication of effort and that work was co-ordinated across the area.  The Area Council Manager stressed that she would be contacting Neighbourhood Services as a matter of urgency as it was important to ensure that service worked collaboratively in order to gain maximum benefit for the residents in the area.  It was also suggested that the Area Council Link Officer may be able to assist in obtaining detailed information on service provision.

RESOLVED:-

(i)            That the report be received and that the proposed changes to the current service activities and targets be noted; and

(ii)          That following the outcome of further discussions and the development of a schedule of work, as now reported, the Executive Director Adults and Communities be authorised to implement the changes proposed by way of a variation to the contract with Twigg’s Grounds Maintenance.