Agenda item

Dawn Grayton, Community Development Officer, was welcomed to highlight the work of the Central and Dodworth Ward Alliances over the past year.

Central Ward Alliance had experienced number of recent changes including to the Chair, and Community Development Officer. Since April, the Ward Alliance had stabilised, and encouraged applications to the Ward Alliance Fund focused on the priorities of the Ward Alliance, Area Council and Council. The focus had also been on the positives within the community, as opposed to negatives.

At the start of the financial year the Ward Alliance had around £20,000 within the Ward Alliance Fund, and Members noted the variety of projects funded, and it was acknowledged that non-financial support was also provided to many groups.

Three projects were highlighted, the first being Information Boards from Barnsley Main Heritage Group where £1800 had been funded to provide information boards on the site using a local contractor, which had been designed and developed by the group.  Members were also made aware of the Jubilee Celebrations, with a number funded in the ward and which helped to bring communities and neighbourhoods together to interact.  A third project was also mentioned; Defibrillator Training by the Full House Pub Community Group. The Ward Alliance had matched funding raised by the group itself for a cabinet and training, which had provided essential as the device was used shortly after installation.

Dodworth Ward Alliance had started the financial year with around £21,000, and Members noted the variety of projects funded. Also noted was the work to support warm hubs in the area. Three projects receiving funding were highlighted.  The first related to a Christmas events using £150 of small sparks funding to match funds raised by the Dodworth Church group. This included a free visit to Father Christmas, a present and a warm meal.  The second involved providing costs to Dodworth Mother, Carers and Toddlers Group, to restart after Covid.  13 volunteers were involved in setting up, supervising and clearing down activity sessions, and finance was used for new toys and equipment.

The third project highlighted was Gawber Celebrates Christmas. This was a partnership between the Ward Alliance, St Thomas’ Church Action Group and Love Gawber.  This created a Christmas project at the community centre, with festive music provided, Gawber Primary School Choir in attendance, a donated tree in the community centre grounds and refreshments.

Craig Aubrey Community Development Officer supporting Kingstone and Stairfoot Ward Alliances was then welcomed to provide an update on their work.

Kingstone Ward Alliance had approximately £22,300 at the start of the financial year.

At this point in the proceedings the meeting became inquorate.

Noted were the projects funded by the Ward Alliance, and it was acknowledged that projects had also received support other than financial, for example the development of a newsletter which had just required volunteer time.

The attention of Members was drawn to the Kingstone Artwork Project, where Creative Recovery worked with volunteers and a local artist to create designs around Barnsley 2030 for street furniture, which aimed to reduce the prevalence of graffiti. 

Members were also made aware of the funding provided to Locke Parke Bowling Club for a professional sprayer, to allow volunteers to work more effectively.  It was noted that the group was open all day, every day and supports the reduction of loneliness.  The group was considering a development in increase volunteers, in particular younger volunteers.

Also highlighted was the support provided to Educational Learning Support Hub (ELSH) for their International Food Festival.  The event, hosted each year, celebrated the volunteers and students, and the diversity of those involved at ELSH.

With regards to the Stairfoot Ward Alliance, nearly £27,000 was available at the beginning of the financial year. The variety of projects receiving support, financial or otherwise, was acknowledged. This included Junior Wardens, Christmas Hampers, and Christmas concerts.

Attention was drawn to the Defibrillator Project. An incident had occurred in Kendray which led to the mapping of defibrillator provision in the area. This, together with relevant data, led to the selection of new sites for defibrillators, with fundraising matched to install a unit in the ward.  It was noted that the project will aim to raise awareness and stimulate volunteers, working with local business to ensure the upkeep of the units.  Work was set to continue to further improve defibrillator coverage within the ward.

Also mentioned was the Warm Space project in Christ Church, Ardsley which aimed to support people who may have difficulties due to the increasing costs of utilities. The facility had refreshments and wifi so people were able to use it as a base for work.  The church provided the heating costs, which were matched by the Ward Alliance.

Members also heard about the Environment Project at the Swanee, which was just outside the Ward.  The project developed from a single active volunteer, and subsequently there had been a number of clean ups, and Twiggs had support volunteers to reinstate paths.  The project more recently engaged the museums service to consider the history of the area, and schools and the community were set to be involved.

Michelle Toone was welcomed to discuss the work of Worsbrough Ward Alliance.  Members noted the broad priorities, with the Ward Alliance focusing on one or two over the course of 6-12 months.   Noted was the breadth of projects supported, including those led by the Alliance, and those led by community groups.

Members heard of the Bottles for Benches initiative, which developed from the Ward Alliance Environmental Working group.  The initiative engaged schools to support increased recycling, with BMBC Neighbourhood Services taking part; collecting recycled bottles, and chatting about the impact of recycling.  Schools taking part were then rewarded with a bench made from recycled bottles.  It was noted that aside from the environmental impact, positive relationships with the local schools had been developed, with the ability to work more closely together in the future.

Also mentioned was the support to the Worsbrough Community Pantry.  The Ward Alliance provided monies for refurbishment, which aided the pantry to continue its work, and to grow, enabling to support low-income households with financial pressures.

Members also were made aware of Worsbrough Local History Day, which had been developed by the Worsbrough Industrial and Social Heritage Group with the Ward Alliance.  This has resulted in a two-day local history event, with the unveiling of a new mining memorial. Over 300 had attended over the course of the two days, with only £19.99 of Ward Alliance investment.  It was noted that the group continued to meet to make the event an annual occurrence.

Many Councillors provided their thanks for the continued hard work of all of the Area Team, especially the work of the Community Development Officers, who were integral to the success of the Ward Alliances.