Agenda item

The Area Manager spoke to the item, reminding Members that a further £70,000 had been allocated to a Supporting Vulnerable and Isolated Older People Grant Fund, though this had been paused and the original service had been extended.   Members were made aware of the revised grant timeline.  The process would commence in March 2021 with new services expected to commence in June.

As agreed previously there were no application deadlines associated with the Working Together Fund, with the Area Team working to encourage applications for post lockdown provision.  In the previous quarter grants had been approved for Citizen’s Advice Bureau and DIAL.  Members noted that there remained £42,776 for allocation.

Members heard about progress to utilised finance set aside to support Children and Young People, with research being undertaken in conjunction with the Targeted Youth Support Service.

Those present discussed the Clean and Tidy Service which had commenced in April, 2020.  Unfortunately, the service had to be flexed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but had performed well in delivering the service.  The service had been procured for an initial year, with an option to extend this for two further 12-month periods, subject to satisfactory performance, a continued need for the service and available finance.  Members were asked to consider the extension of the service into a second year.  It was noted that the service would usually be asked to attend a meeting to provide an update on the work undertaken, and it was suggested that this be placed on the agenda of the meeting in June.

Members were provided an overview of the current financial position.  It was noted that £15,225 would remain at the end of the current financial year, which would be carried forward into 2021/22.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That the update on procurement activity be received;

(ii)          That the update on contracts funded by the existing Supporting Isolated and Older People Grant fund be noted;

(iii)        That the proposed grant procurement timeline to establish future provision to support vulnerable and isolated older people in the wake of the Covid-19pandemic be noted;

(iv)        That the update and current financial position of the Penistone Working Together Fund be noted;

(v)          That the update on ringfenced funds within the existing Working Together Fund to establish specific activities that will support young people in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic be noted;

(vi)        That the updates on the new Clean and Tidy Contract, started in April 2020, be noted;

(vii)       That approval be given for the Clean and Tidy Service continue in to year two of the contract from April, 2021 at a cost of £100,000 and that a full update of the service to date be presented to Penistone Area Council at the meeting in June, 2021;

(viii)     That the financial year end position for the 2020/21 budget be noted.