(a) Councillor Eastwood
‘We know the weather is very unpredictable, and the gritters have been out more than usual and filling the yellow bins, they are doing a fantastic job keeping us safe on the main roads.
Do we have enough salt to keep the roads safe, and enough finances to keep going throughout the winter months?’
(b) Councillor Wilson
‘There has been a huge rise in dog ownership across the country since the start of the pandemic. This has undoubtedly led to increased use of the council's dog waste bins by responsible dog owners.
What is the council's policy when these waste bins
need replacing?’
(c) Councillor Lodge
‘Could the Cabinet Member responsible provide an update on the progress of a Borough-wide poverty needs assessment?’
(d) Councillor Fielding
‘The Noise Assessment for the Penny Pie Park Gyratory was published in September 2018 and identified that 56 homes around the former park would suffer such significant adverse effects of noise from the operation of the new gyratory that they would be legally entitled under the Noise Insulation Regulations for noise mitigation measures to be provided by the Council.
Can the Cabinet member please advise, two and a half years after this assessment was published, how many residents of the affected houses have been informed that their homes will suffer significant adverse effects of noise or consulted about what mitigation measures they will be entitled to and told when they can expect the mitigation measures such as additional glazing and mechanical forced ventilation to be installed in their homes?’
(e) Councillor Frost
‘I regularly cycle on the TPT to Oxspring and on to Dunford Bridge but the trail is usually inaccessible in Winter due to the amount of standing water and mud. After the recent dry spell, I travelled up the TPT and found that from Wigfield Farm to the M1 bridge extensive works had been carried out to improve the drainage, prune trees and lay hardstanding. This meant not only cycles could travel more easily but people with disabilities as well.
Are the improvements to be continued to the Silkstone Tunnels and what other areas are to be improved in this way in the borough?’
(f) Councillor Lodge
‘A recent survey of social workers across the UK, found that 70% of respondents believed that the Covid-19 Pandemic has had an impact on their mental health. What support has been put in place locally to support social workers in Adults and Children’s services?’
(g) Councillor Kitching
‘There have been tragic news headlines recently about the
abduction and murder of Sarah Everard while she was walking home. I
recognise the fear felt by most women when walking dark streets
alone at night.
While I appreciate that the police and central government have a
huge role to play, what specifically is this Council doing to
protect women in the borough and ensure they not only feel safe but
are safe when walking our streets?’
(h) Councillor Hunt
‘What plans does the council have to increase the levels of enforcement of parking restrictions outside of Barnsley town centre?’
(i) Councillor Greenhough
‘January 2021 was the coldest for 10 years. The effect on the roads in my ward is very evident. What impact has the extremely cold weather had on the roads across the borough?’
Minutes:
The Chief Executive reported that she had received a number of questions from Elected Members in accordance with Standing Order No. 11.
(a) Councillor Eastwood
‘We know the weather is very unpredictable, and the gritters have been out more than usual and filling the yellow bins, they are doing a fantastic job keeping us safe on the main roads. Do we have enough salt to keep the roads safe, and enough finances to keep going throughout the winter months?’
Councillor Lamb, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Environment and Transportation) thanked Councillor Eastwood for the question. Thanks were given to all those involved in winter maintenance, particularly in what was a difficult year. The teams had demonstrated flexibility and worked really hard throughout the recent inclement weather this winter, working Christmas Eve, and Christmas night.? Both salt domes had enough supply throughout the winter. As of 25 March, 2021 9,245 of the 11,949 tons of salt available had been used. A further contingency of 2,599 tons had been ordered in recognition of the severity of this winter, and that cold snaps may still occur.
Both domes had sufficient stock and the financial contingency was in place to see the council throughout the remainder of the winter maintenance plan.
A survey of salt domes had been commissioned to reconcile the tonnage in preparation for reordering salt for next winter. This would be reordered outside of the winter period, where salt costs were less.
Councillor Eastwood thanked all the staff involved in gritting for the fantastic job undertaken, but did not wish to ask a supplementary question.
(b) Councillor Wilson
‘There has been a huge rise in dog ownership across the country since the start of the pandemic. This has undoubtedly led to increased use of the council's dog waste bins by responsible dog owners. What is the council's policy when these waste bins need replacing?’
Councillor Lamb, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Environment and Transportation) responded by thanking Councillor Wilson for the question and thanked all responsible dog owners that do use the bins provided or take their waste home. In 2019, all street bins across the borough were asset tagged and re-purposed as multi-use bins providing residents with the ability to dispose of both dog waste and litter in any street bin.
When one of the bins previously identified as a dog waste bin comes to the end of its useful life, an assessment is made by Neighbourhood Services as to whether the location is suitable for the bin to be replaced with the larger capacity multi-use street bin. Where the assessment allows, this replacement strategy is adopted. A street bin replacement policy was being drafted and would be presented to Cabinet early next financial year.
Councillor Wilson thanked Councillor Lamb for the answer and asked
a supplementary question as to whether there were plans to increase
dog fouling enforcement across the borough.
Councillor Lamb reminded Members of the recently adopted Public Space Protection Order, which took into account fouling by dogs and the responsibilities of owners. As a result of this the number of fixed penalty notices issued had doubled. The Council would look to provide more enforcement where possible, and many Area Councils also commissioned additional services to improve enforcement in local areas.
(c) Councillor Lodge
‘Could the Cabinet Member responsible provide an update on the progress of a Borough-wide poverty needs assessment?’
Councillor Platts, Cabinet Spokesperson for Adults and Communities thanked Councillor Lodge for the question by confirming that a borough-wide poverty needs assessment had been completed by our Business Intelligence Team. It updated the intelligence around poverty and inequalities for the borough in the context of both national poverty research and emerging findings on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on inequalities in health and income. It was being shared with key boards, and the council would work with them to develop actions to address some of the emerging findings.
The work will be aligned with our recovery planning and key strategies, including the new Council Plan and our wider Barnsley 2030 vision.
Over the coming months, there are plans to develop further intelligence, including developing household-level data on financial hardship and poverty to better target preventative work and support residents who are in most need.
The poverty needs assessment will be updated as the Covid-19 landscape changes, most notably when Government support packages, such as the job retention scheme, come to an end as proposed in the Autumn of this year.
Councillor Lodge thanked Councillor Platts for the response and asked for an update on work being done to develop a Food Poverty Action Plan or renewing that which had recently expired.
Councillor Platts remarked that this was part of the work currently ongoing and as soon as it had been completed it would be made available for Members.
(d) Councillor Fielding
‘The Noise Assessment for the Penny Pie Park Gyratory was published in September 2018 and identified that 56 homes around the former park would suffer such significant adverse effects of noise from the operation of the new gyratory that they would be legally entitled under the Noise Insulation Regulations for noise mitigation measures to be provided by the Council. Can the Cabinet member please advise, two and a half years after this assessment was published, how many residents of the affected houses have been informed that their homes will suffer significant adverse effects of noise or consulted about what mitigation measures they will be entitled to and told when they can expect the mitigation measures such as additional glazing and mechanical forced ventilation to be installed in their homes?’
Councillor Lamb, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Environment and Transportation) responded by thanking Councillor Fielding for his question. It was highlighted that the initial noise modelling for the gyratory, identified that there were 56 properties that were already adversely affected by existing noise levels, so even a minor predicted increase in noise levels could be considered as significant.?
The number was reduced to 54 properties due to the proposed noise mitigations contained within the redesign of the park and the specification and location of additional noise barriers.
The highway scheme was approved on the basis that a noise insulation scheme, taking account of the Noise Insulation Regulations, that was designed to mitigate the adverse noise levels experienced by nearby residents would be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.
The Noise Insulation scheme was currently being finalised, and subject to this being approved by the Local Planning Authority, the 54 individual households would be contacted and advised of the next steps, in addition, a specific briefing for the local ward councillors was due to take place. Officers were hopeful that this work will be concluded within the next six weeks.
Councillor Fielding responded by asking a supplementary question as to why the planning condition had been amended without reference back to the Planning Regulatory Board so that instead of designing any noise mitigation before work commenced on the park, it would not have to be completed until the work was nearing completion, two years later than requested in the original planning condition.
No residents knew if they would be provided with noise insulation and the Council did not follow best practice in providing this type of insulation to their homes in order to protect those homes against two years of construction noise, which many Councils adopt. Residents were asking why does the Council not care about the affect this has on their homes?
Councillor Lamb replied that the Council does care very much, and that a further detailed response to the supplementary question would be provided to Councillor Fielding in writing.
(e) Councillor Frost
‘I regularly cycle on the TPT to Oxspring and on to Dunford Bridge but the trail is usually inaccessible in Winter due to the amount of standing water and mud. After the recent dry spell, I travelled up the TPT and found that from Wigfield Farm to the M1 bridge extensive works had been carried out to improve the drainage, prune trees and lay hardstanding. This meant not only cycles could travel more easily but people with disabilities as well. Are the improvements to be continued to the Silkstone Tunnels and what other areas are to be improved in this way in the borough?’
Councillor Lamb, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Environment and Transportation) thanked Councillor Frost for the question, noting that Barnsley had one of the best leisure cycling facilities in Yorkshire and Humber if not the country, which was something the Council was very proud of and constantly seeking to improve. Members were made aware that a bid had been submitted to SUSTRANS for the A61 to Haverlands Lane section and Smithy Wood Lane at Dodworth through to Silkstone.
The outcome of this bid would be known by the end of May 2021. If successful, the work would be completed by the end of March 2022. It was noted that proposals had been submitted from the Public Rights of Way Team?for all outstanding sections of the Trans Pennine Trail totaling £7.5 million. Other areas of the public rights of network, of which there were 680 km, were maintained through the core budget and any one-off grants/investments secured when available.
Councillor Frost noted that the new hard standing surface was made from recycled tyres and that 113,000 tyres had already been used. There had been an increase in numbers using the trail, but there had also been an increase in litter, with volunteers helping to collect this. A supplementary question was asked regarding what was being done to ensure levels of active travel were maintained after the pandemic.
Councillor Lamb responded reminding Members of the development of an Active Travel Strategy and that the Council was making significant bids around the whole agenda of active travel. It had recently been successful in attracting over £30m from the Transforming Cities Fund for Barnsley to spend on a range of active travel projects.
(f) Councillor Lodge
‘A recent survey of social workers across the UK, found that 70% of respondents believed that the Covid-19 Pandemic has had an impact on their mental health. What support has been put in place locally to support social workers in Adults and Children’s services?’
Councillor Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, responded by thanking Councillor Lodge for the question and highlighting that social care staff in Barnsley were encouraged and supported to access the wide-ranging council initiatives promoting health and well-being at work, including support and advice on the range of issues relating to mental and physical health.
All social care staff and managers were supported to attend a series of masterclasses available to help employees and managers work and lead effectively in the virtual world.
Staff could access the Well@Work Services and Employee Assistance Programme and the free app from Health Assured. The My Healthy Advantage app offered various well-being features and materials, including well-being articles, videos, a weekly mood tracker, four-week plans and mini health checks.
Managers and staff could access online remote worker toolkits. These brought together the support available within the Council and signposted to external support to look after the physical and mental health and well-being of staff.
The Council’s flexible working arrangements were supported to enable a healthy work life balance while being based at home- to support home schooling and carer responsibilities.
In addition to the support services available, staff had been using virtual means of support through team meetings, drop-ins, MS teams meetings, daily catch-ups and for some teams, virtual quizzes and exercise sessions.
There had been regular open communication with staff about how they were, workload pressures, successes and what could help in supporting them further in their work such as equipment. This included regular open meetings for staff with managers, supervision and Performance and Development Reviews (PDRs).
Staff could also read the twice weekly internal news bulletins which had a range of information and advice on staying safe and well.
Experienced staff had also supported less experienced colleagues offering additional support, advice and guidance. Staff who cannot work at home had been allocated workspaces, and newly qualified social workers and students were allocated space to receive additional 1:1 or peer group support.
Children’s Services had greatly benefitted from Council investment in additional staff, which had helped manage service demands and reduce caseloads. Staff had access to regular COVID-19 testing. For those staff who have been impacted by COVID-19 sickness or associated sickness, appropriate HR processes had been followed, and Occupational Health referrals made.
Councillor Lodge thanked Social Care Staff in Barnsley, but did not wish to ask a supplementary question.
(g) Councillor Kitching
‘There have been tragic news headlines recently about the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard while she was walking home. I recognise the fear felt by most women when walking dark streets alone at night. While I appreciate that the police and central government have a huge role to play, what specifically is this Council doing to protect women in the borough and ensure they not only feel safe but are safe when walking our streets?’
Councillor Platts, Cabinet Spokesperson for Adults and Communities, thanked Councillor Kitching for the question, highlighting that the response was from both herself and colleagues in Place. She responded by stating that the public safety of all residents and visitors was taken very seriously. The Safer Neighbourhoods Service (SNS) worked in close partnership with police colleagues to conduct out-of-hour observations and patrols in streets, parks and other public spaces. There was a high visibility uniformed presence in the town centre to deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and improve public perceptions of safety. Interviews were underway to recruit a further 11 Neighbourhood Wardens to provide a reassuring presence in all communities across the borough. The team would work up to 10pm on weekdays and weekends and be attached to the locality teams. They would be an additional ‘eyes and ears’ resource in communities, instilling confidence and encouraging residents to report their concerns.
CCTV capabilities had been significantly improved, including a complete upgrade and enhancements in the town centre and new systems and coverage for principal towns.
The SNS responded to any complaints around safety and perceptions of safety and ensured customers receive the most appropriate advice. This included working on specific safety packages with SYP’s Crime Reduction Officer.
The LED Street Lighting upgrade programme had been designed in compliance with the Institution of Lighting Professional Guidance Note 01 for the safety of the residents and road users. In addition, improved LED lighting offered a number of benefits to pedestrian safety:
· Improved street lighting encouraged more people to walk at night, which should increase levels of informal pedestrian surveillance, and deter would be perpetrators.
· Low glare components helped prevent shadowing and increase visibility, thereby allowing pedestrians to make better judgements of the risks that may or may not be around them and helps them to make better decisions as a result.
· New lanterns had an expected life of around 25 years which results in less lantern failures and therefore less dark spots on our footways.
· LEDs lanterns made colours look more natural with no more orange haze which provided better facial recognition for security and CCTV cameras.
· The LEDs on our main roads had the ability to have further monitoring and surveillance equipment added should the future need arise.
Councillor Kitching gave thanks for the response and mentioned a specific part of the Trans Pennine Trail which featured a dark spot between the train station and the residential area, which was not uncommon in areas which were not part of the adopted highway. A supplementary question was asked posing what the Council might be able to do to identify and tackle these dark spots to enable women to feel safer at night?
The response was deferred to Councillor Lamb, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place (Environment and Transportation) who shared Councillor Kitching’s concerns. Appropriate lighting would be considered as part of promoting active travel, and action would be taken where problems had been identified. All Members were asked to make the highways department aware of any potential problems so they could be considered.
As it was nearing the end of the allotted 30 mins for questions, it was agreed that the remaining questions would be responded to after the meeting in writing.