The Penistone Area Council met to discuss ward alliance funding, review the financial position of the council, and consider performance reports. Councillors agreed to allocate £7,000 to the Supporting Vulnerable and Isolated Older People (SVIOP) Small Grants fund, £25,000 to the Working Together Fund, £30,000 to the Supporting Young People's fund, and £10,000 to the Environmental Grants fund. Additionally, £10,000 was devolved to the Ward Alliance budget.

Financial and Procurement Updates

The Penistone Area Council reviewed its financial position and made several decisions regarding the allocation of funds. The Procurement and Financial Update report provided an overview of commissioning and procurement activities related to services supporting vulnerable and isolated older people, the Working Together Grant Fund, the Supporting Young People Grant Fund, and environmental services.

The council agreed to several recommendations:

• Supporting Vulnerable and Isolated Older People (SVIOP) Small Grants Fund: Councillors agreed to allocate an additional £7,000 to the SVIOP Small Grants fund, bringing the total to £10,000. This will facilitate a participatory budgeting approach, as presented by Carmen Taylor, the Area Specialist Community Development Officer.
• Working Together Fund: A total of £25,000 was allocated to the Working Together Fund to cover committed expenditure for project delivery from 1 April 2026, and to enable the council to respond to emerging needs.
• Supporting Young People's Fund: Councillors agreed to allocate £30,000 to the Supporting Young People's Fund to support grant calls for project delivery from 1 January 2026.
• Environmental Grants Fund: An additional £10,000 was allocated to the Environmental Grants fund to enable grant applications on a rolling basis.
• Ward Alliance Budget: Councillors devolved £10,000 to the Ward Alliance budget, recognising the high demand for these funds.

The council also noted that the local government salary increases have resulted in the actual cost of the SVIOP Community Development Officer's salary being £40,081 for the financial year, which is £81 higher than the original estimation. The estimated cost for 2026/27 has been revised to £42,000.

A review of the Penistone Area Council priorities will be scheduled during the current financial year, taking into account initiatives being developed as part of the wider Love Where You Live refresh¹.

Performance Report Q1 April - June 2025

The Penistone Area Council received the Penistone Area Council Performance Report Q1 2025-26, which provided an overview of various projects and services delivered in the area. The report highlighted key performance indicators and outcomes for the Stronger Communities directorate.

Key highlights from the report included:

• Advice at Home (Supporting Vulnerable and Isolated Older People): This project delivered welfare rights advice and community outreach to older and vulnerable residents, focusing on reducing isolation and financial hardship. DIAL² helped Mr S, a 66-year-old retiree, secure high rate Attendance Allowance³ and access Pension Credit, Council Tax Support, and the Winter Fuel Payment, totalling £5,860 annually.

• Area Specialist Community Development Role (Supporting Vulnerable and Isolated Older People): Carmen Taylor, the Area Specialist Community Development Officer, has been building community connections and identifying the need for a bespoke befriending service to enhance volunteer and participant experiences.

• Walking the Goats (Supporting Young People): This project focuses on emotional development, teamwork, and practical skills. P, a young person undergoing assessment with CAMHS⁴, has shown significant progress in confidence and social engagement since joining FarmSpace.

• Penistone Taekwondo (Supporting Young People): The Quest Taekwondo Development Programme has expanded its outreach to schools and community groups, with a growing calendar of sessions.

• Wellbeing Cafe at Penistone Grammar School (Supporting Young People): The Afterschool Café launched on 27 February, aiming to offer a supportive space for pupils during term time. The school has proposed that provision is made for targeted group sessions for Year 8 and 9 to support with resilience and confidence.

• Sporting Penistone Youth Hub (Supporting Young People): The Youth Hub runs weekly on Tuesdays after school and has engaged 186 young people.

• Developing Young Talent (Supporting Younger People): This youth-led music initiative empowers 13–18-year-olds to engage with their community through music. M, a sixth form student at Penistone Grammar School, has played a key role in a local music project, coordinating workshops, rehearsals, and performances.

• Music Industry Master Classes (Supporting Younger People): This project aims to provide young people with the opportunity to gain skills and insight into the music industry. The project will be starting in September.

• Debt Advice Support Service (Working Together Fund): The Citizen's Advice Barnsley Debt Advice Support Service aims to increase access to local advice, improve client health and wellbeing, and enhance financial outcomes for clients in Penistone.

• Drop In Service (Working Together Fund): The outreach project provided targeted support to local residents through benefits advice and disability information. Mr B, from Penistone, secured both PIP⁵ and Universal Credit, significantly improving his financial situation.

• Community Environmental Support Service (Environmental Services): This project delivers a community environmental support service in the Penistone area, helping local groups and volunteers gain the skills and knowledge needed to independently maintain public and green spaces.

• Vital Facilities (Environmental Services): This contract is for the direct purchasing of services to maintain greenspaces and help maintain and clean and tidy environment in the Penistone area.

• Community Environmental Support Grant (Environmental Services): A grant pot of £20,000 was made available to provide resources for community groups who take responsibility and contribute to the maintenance of green spaces within the area.

Ward Alliance Funds

The Penistone Ward Alliance meeting notes from 24 July 2025, were reviewed. The current balance of the Ward Alliance is £11,772.21.

A decision was made regarding an application from Barnsley Independent Alzheimer's and Dementia Support (BIADS) for £1,380.64. Half of the grant was released immediately, with the remaining half to be released after five months, pending feedback on the project's progress.

The Ward Alliance also received an update on the Ward Alliance Celebration Event, which is planned for 6 November at Cubley Hall. Angel Voices Performing Arts Academy has been booked to provide entertainment.