Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item by referring to the financial situation.  Within the current financial year, the Area Council had £24,800 unallocated with an additional £60,000 ringfenced to address social isolation.

Members noted the service, Better Together, currently delivered by Age UK Barnsley, which aimed to address social isolation.  It was noted that the service was due to end on 31^st August, 2021.   A workshop had been held to consider performance and ongoing demand.  Over the previous 12 months the service had, amongst other things, supported 168 people with one to one support; supported 295 people to access other support; assisted 42 people dealing with fuel poverty; and encouraged 135 people to get involved in physical activity.  The workshop had highlighted that challenges with social isolation existed prior to the pandemic and had been exacerbated by restrictions.

A number of options were considered, with the preferred option to recommission a service to reduce social isolation and loneliness.  It was acknowledged that the service would need to be flexible as would need to respond to the lifting of restrictions, and the changing needs of service users.

Following consideration of recommendations relating to addressing social isolation and loneliness the meeting became inquorate.  It was therefore suggested to call an additional meeting to consider proposals to address anti-social behaviour throughout the area due to off-road biking and to extend post office opening hours in Wombwell.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That the social isolation and loneliness service is retendered, and the opportunity is advertised on YOR Tender as an open, transparent and competitive tender with a contract value of £60,000 per year for a three year (1+1+1) contract;

(ii)          That Councillor Lamb and Stowe take part in the tender process for the Social Isolation and Loneliness Service, scoring and sitting on the tender interview panel;

(iii)        That the South Area Council Manager develops a specification for the Social Isolation and Loneliness Service for consideration by Members taking into account feedback from the workshop held;

(iv)        That the Executive Director Communities be authorised to agree the final specification and tender information for all commissioning work detailed in the report, following consultation with Members of South Area Council.