Agenda item

Darton East – held on 12 September 2023 and 10 October 2023

Darton West – held on 13 September 2023 and 16 October 2023

Old Town – held on 10 October 2023

St Helen's – held on 7 September 2023 and 19 October 2023

The meeting received the notes from the Darton East Ward Alliance held on 12 September 2023 and 10 October 2023; Darton West Ward Alliance held on 13 September 2023 and 16 October 2023; Old Town Ward Alliance held on 10 October 2023; and St Helen's Ward Alliance held on 7 September 2023 and 19 October 2023.

Councillor Denton referred to the work undertaken by the Darton East Ward Alliance.  Funding had been approved for various projects which included a pantomime for disadvantaged children to be held at Staincross WMC and Christmas trees which would be installed at Mapplewell Village Hall, Windhill and Woolley.  The next health and wellbeing event would be held on 14 November 2023 at Mapplewell Village Hall.  The Christmas light switch on was scheduled for 24 November 2023, and the beer festival would also commence on the same date, which everyone was welcome to attend.

Councillor T. Cave referred to the work undertaken by the Darton West Ward Alliance.  The Christmas programme of events had been the most recent topic of discussion.  The number of Christmas trees would be limited to prevent a strain on the service providers.  Focus had been made to the Kexborough Community Centre to provide additional help to families over the Christmas period.  It was noted that the Gawber School History Board was almost complete.  During early autumn, concern had been expressed around the hanging basket situation and how to avoid such issues in the future.  The milestone on Huddersfield Road opposite Vets4Pets had recently been refurbished.  Councillor T. Cave informed Members of the Milestone Society that could assist with the refurbishment of milestones within their respective Ward Alliances.

Councillor Lofts referred to the work undertaken by the Old Town Ward Alliance.  Funding had been approved to help establish a Community Pantry in Honeywell, which had a long term aspiration to gather volunteers to keep it running.  The main topics for discussion at the meeting had related to Christmas trees and spring bulbs.  A funding bid for a local cat rescue had been received.  It had been decided to defer the bid until further information was available to ascertain whether other Ward Alliances had been approached.

Councillor Wright referred to the work undertaken by St Helen’s Ward Alliance.  The Santa sleigh route had been finalised and advertised on the local Facebook forums, which would commence on Sunday 3 December 2023.

Councillor Leech referred to the 13 Junior Tykes football teams that played at the Memorial Field on Laithes Lane, Barnsley.  It was envisaged that the storage container would be made available shortly.

A discussion had ensued in relation to a letter sent into the Barnsley Chronicle which had wrongly suggested that the North Area Council was not passing money onto the community groups.  The letter had followed an earlier newspaper article where the Barnsley Chronicle had reviewed each Ward Alliance in the North Area.  Councillor Hunt referred to the Darton East Ward Alliance which had recently approved a number of funding applications.  Members noted that the Area Manager had prepared a statement in relation to the funding pot.

Councillor Howard referred to the Christmas event that would be held at Barnsley Town Hall on Sunday 10 December 2023 from 11.00am to 3.00pm where many of the activities would be free of charge.  There would also be a craft stall and visits to see Father Christmas.  Members were requested to encourage any families struggling with the cost of living to attend the event.  Councillor Leech requested that details of the event be displayed within the North Area Council and advertised on the Council and Ward Alliance website pages.

RESOLVED that the notes of the respective Ward Alliances be noted.