Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced a report providing an update on the delivery of the Area Council’s commissions, Service Level Agreements and services paid for through the Dearne Development Fund.  Officers from the Safer Communities Service attended the meeting and presented detailed information on the private sector housing enforcement activity that had been undertaken during January to March 2016, including action taken in respect of fly tipping, noise complaints, anti-social behaviour, rat infestations, requests for service, advice and referrals and in identifying and supporting vulnerable households etc.

Members welcomed the work being carried out and in particular recognised the impact of working with families and individuals, getting to know communities and getting access to homes that previously have not had the benefit of any kind of support, which enabled valuable early intervention where necessary.

The comfortable achievement of performance targets, as set out in Part A of the report, was noted and it was suggested that the level of the targets for future commissions should be given careful consideration to ensure the correct level of challenge. 

It was stated that the three Dearne Area Council contracts and the service level agreement with Barnsley MBC Safer Communities Service continue to perform satisfactorily with no significant issues identified.  With regard to Skills and Learning for Work it was noted that, even though the contract had now ended, volunteers continued to provide assistance at the Salvation Army, providing a legacy from the commission.  There was overall satisfaction that Kingdom was performing well in respect of the Environmental Enforcement contract, despite the late submission of monitoring information.  It was noted that a recent dog fouling operation had resulted in 14 fixed penalty notices being issued in the Dearne area.

It was reported that the nine Dearne Development Fund projects had got off to a very positive start.  The Dearne Valley Bulldogs had been successful in their bid for £85,000 of funding from Sports England and they will now receive £15,000 from Area Council funds to enable them to progress their project.  The work being carried out by TADS, who had received funding through the Development Fund, in order to give young people access to complimentary therapists to enhance their emotional wellbeing and leave them with better coping strategies, was noted.  It was suggested that Jenny Britain from Phoenix Futures be invited to the next Area Council meeting. 

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the progress being made on the three Dearne Area Council commissions and service level agreement with Barnsley MBC, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report now submitted, be noted; and

(ii)       that the progress of the Dearne Development Fund applications, as set out in Part C of Appendix 1 of the report, be noted.