Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, noting that this was an annual report of performance.  The attention of Members was drawn to the priorities of the Area Council, including the recent addition of ‘Health and Wellbeing for All’.   It was noted that each commissioned service contributed to a number of priorities.

Over the past year all contracts were required to flex and adapt to meet the needs of the community in light of the pandemic.

The Tidy Team had been delivered by Anvil CiC, a trading arm of Forge Community Partnership until the end of March, 2021. The service had continued to be provided throughout the pandemic, and had been supporting Neighbourhood Services, including targeting areas which had seen an increase in litter.  It was noted that the service had engaged with 175 new volunteers, supported 277 events/projects and had assisted 75 community groups.

Members discussed the large numbers of purple waste bags around the area where volunteers had collected waste for disposal, but which had yet to be collected.  It was noted that the revised Tidy Team service would continue to support  groups and residents with this whether that be arranging for Neighbourhood services to pick up bags if it’s an independent group or litter picker or support from the Tidy Team where they are involved in supporting the group and delivering the work or project.

Discussions had taken place with the current service provider and Neighbourhood Services about this.  It was noted that there had been issues with the volume of waste being collected and the capacity to collect this.  It was hoped that this would be resolved imminently.

Members discussed the large numbers of purple waste bags around the area where volunteers had collected waste for disposal, but which had yet to be collected.  It was noted that the revised Tidy Team service would continue to support this, and discussions had taken place with the current service provider and Neighbourhood Services about this.  It was noted that there had been issues with the volume of waste being collected and the capacity to collect this.  It was hoped that this would be resolved imminently.

Questions were raised in relation to the ‘Tidy Team’ name, and the merits of changing this to differentiate between the outgoing and incoming providers.  On balance it was felt important to retain the ‘Tidy Team’ name which was well known throughout the South Area.  Members also requested for contact details of the provider to be circulated.

Those present went on to discuss the Better Together Service delivered by Age UK Barnsley. The service had employed two social inclusion workers who had provided one to one support to 168 residents. 448 people had accessed groups or activities, 36 community car journeys had been undertaken for essential purposes and 43 Good Neighbour relationships developed, which were hoped would carry on after the pandemic. 

The service provided by District Enforcement had been impacted by the pandemic but officers were able to support efforts by patrolling in parks, open spaces and high streets to ensure adherence to restrictions.  More recently the service had returned to normal duties, concentrating on parking enforcement to help traffic flowing and patrolling areas identified as hotspots of littering and dog fouling.  458 Parking Charge Notices had been issued, together with 17 Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and 32 for littering.

Members’ attention was drawn to the performance of the Private Sector Housing Officer, who had provided support for both landlords and tenants.  The officer had been supported with enforcement from the Community Safety Service, and formal notices had been issues where required.  The service had been proactive, developed relationships and ensured that those in need were aware of support.

The service providing local information and advice, delivered by CAB, had previously done so via face to face sessions at three venues in the area. However, this had moved to be provided via telephone and digital means as a result of the pandemic. 1,234 individuals had been supported with 715 being new to the service. The service had helped 10 individuals to avoid homelessness and helped residents to manage around £345,000 of debt.  It was noted that the majority of assistance provided was related to benefits, but enquiries relating to employment and furlough had significantly increased.

£10,000 of finance had been utilised by the Ward Alliances to deliver the Healthy Holidays Programme.  The programme had delivered 918 healthy lunches, 37 healthy holiday sessions and had engaged 53 volunteers.  Thanks were given to all those involved in the effort.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That the report be noted;

(ii)          That contact details for the new ‘Tidy Team’ be circulated to Members.