The Central Area Council meeting included discussion of the Stepping Stones project, a performance management report, and a report from the Central Area Council Link Officer. Councillors were also scheduled to make a decision on procurement and financial matters, and to review notes and a report on the use of Ward Alliance funds.

Procurement and Financial Update

The Central Area Council was scheduled to discuss an up-to-date overview of its current priorities, contracts, service level agreements and grant-funded projects. According to the Finance Procurement Report, the report included:

• An overview of current contracts, contract extensions, Service Level Agreements and Grant Funded projects, with associated timescales.
• The financial position to date and the projected financial position to 2025-2026, assuming that the base income budget remains the same.

The report recommended that:

• Members note the overview of Central Area Council's current priorities, contracts, Service Level Agreements and Grant Funded projects.
• Members note the actual financial position to date and the projected expenditure.
• Members note the updated position of commissioning events against Central Area Council Priorities from 01/04/2025.
• The £18,059 Healthier Lifestyles fund balance be carried forward into the next financial year, so that options for commissioning future services in 2026-27 can be considered.

The Finance Procurement Report Appendix 1 and Finance Procurement Report Appendix 2 provided a financial analysis and budget projections for 2025 to 2028.

Steps Closer Fund

The Finance Procurement Report noted that the Steps Closer fund had a ringfenced budget with a current balance of £1,190. The fund was set up to invite proposals to support individuals to take a step closer to employment, volunteering or learning. A budget allocation of £3,000 had been approved to support the delivery of a training programme for Volunteers and Community Groups operating in the Central Area. A budget allocation of a total of £5,810 had been approved to fund the operational costs of Stepping Stones, Coffee Cake and Community and Coffee Cake and Confidence.

Safe and Enjoyable Communities

The Finance Procurement Report stated that as part of the Safe and Enjoyable Communities priority, the Central Area Council agreed to a Service Level Agreement for two Housing and Cohesion Officers at a cost of £90,000 per year for 3 years. A Service Level Agreement is in place with Safer Communities for the deployment of these team members.

It was also agreed that an allocation of £125,000 per year for 3 years would be dedicated to initiatives aimed at creating safe and enjoyable communities. Members agreed to have a grounds maintenance service provided by Neighbourhood Services with a focus on the provision of services which improve local environments with the flexibility to meet local needs.

Healthy Lifestyles

The Finance Procurement Report noted the recommendation from the Healthier Lifestyles funding panel to commission Citizens Advice Barnsley to deliver face-to-face Community Outreach Advice sessions from 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.

Members also noted the recommendation to commission Age UK to deliver the Connected Communities project at a cost of £40,000 per year from 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2028, and to commission Barnsley FC Community Trust to deliver the Reds Connects project at a cost of £21,941 per year from 01 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.

Ward Alliance Updates

The Central Area Council was scheduled to receive the notes of the meetings of the Ward Alliances within the Central Area. The Public reports pack included notes from the following meetings:

• Central – held on 25 June, 23 July and 20 August 2025
• Dodworth – held on 24 June and 5 August 2025
• Kingstone – held on 23 July 2025
• Stairfoot – held on 14 July 2025
• Worsbrough – held on 10 July and 21 August 2025, together with Environmental Working Group on 11 June and 9 July 2025 and Flavours of Christmas Working Group on 7 August 2025

Central Ward Alliance

The Central Ward Alliance Notes June 2025 recorded that the Ward Alliance agreed to increase the amount volunteers can apply to the Small Sparks fund from £150 to £200. The Alliance accepted in full an application from Barnsley Canal Group and discussed the necessity of ensuring Barnsley's culture and heritage. Dawn Grayton, Community Development Officer, reported that she was meeting representatives from the Parks Team to discuss potential projects for the Love Where You Live scheme¹. Councillor Nicola Sumner provided an update on the Bare Bones project, with a focus on creating a history trail. James Cureton provided an update on the Scarecrow Festival, which was scheduled to take place outside Maggie's Coffee Shop, Tennyson Road on 26 October.

Central Ward Alliance Notes July 2025 stated that Tracy White and Louise Swift from Age UK updated on their new Diabetes project. They also discussed a Befriending service that requires more volunteers, self-sustaining groups and a new project providing a free air fryer. The Ward Alliance approved applications for the Scarecrow Festival, a trolley, and Fullhouse Estate Small Sparks.

Central Ward Alliance notes August 2025 stated that the Ward Alliance considered a request from Let's Get Growing for £2,600.00 to make safe and tidy the garden next to the allotment used by Queens Road Academy after fire damage. The Ward Alliance decided this request was too high, but agreed to recommend an award of £500 with a caveat the school match fund. Councillor Nicola Sumner advised that Dave Cherry was now on board with the Bare Bones project and plans to make Sound Bite videos and record a u tube video.

Dodworth Ward Alliance

Dodworth Ward Alliance Notes June 2025 stated that Mark Greasely from the Envirocentral Services Team gave an update on work being carried out across the Ward. The Ward Alliance agreed in full a funding application from the Dodworth High Street Christmas Group requesting £523.87, and a small sparks application submitted by the 2 new volunteers who are now running the hanging basket scheme requesting £55.00.

Dodworth Ward Alliance Notes August 2025 stated that the Ward Alliance agreed to fund in full an application from Dodworth Library requesting £630, an application requesting £439.99 submitted by the Dodworth Mother/Carer and Toddler group, a funding application submitted on behalf of the Ward Alliance for £2,403 to cover costs for the erection and connection of their Christmas Light Motifs, and a funding application submitted on behalf of the Ward Alliance for £1,000 to fund a Slips, Trips and Falls Event.

Kingstone Ward Alliance

Kingstone Ward Alliance Notes July 2025 stated that the Ward Alliance liked an application from Shawlands Parents Wellbeing Group, and were happy to fund, but discussed the possibility of the project taking place in free facilities to reduce the cost. The Ward Alliance supported in full an application from Men's Shed. Mark Greasley gave an update on the projects that the Envirocentral team have been doing across the Kingstone Ward. The Ward Alliance welcomed Ian Guest as a new member.

Stairfoot Ward Alliance

The notes from the Stairfoot Ward Alliance meeting which took place on 14 July 2025, stated that the WA would fund the BDA and support the new community session at Central Club led by local volunteers. The Ward Alliance suggested that it could be beneficial to develop a Junior Warden type scheme to work with young people and the environment. Stairfoot has been mapped for the Telecoms Artwork project and the WA are ready to meet with Virgin regards progressing the permission and then working with the artists, volunteers and schools to create and then put the artwork on the boxes.

Worsbrough Ward Alliance

The notes from the Worsbrough Ward Alliance meeting which took place on 10 July 2025, stated that Kevin Williams offered to take on the role of secretary. The Area Council have allocated £10,000 to support with the start up and delivery of new and innovative project ideas that contribute to addressing the changing needs of the area. The Worsbrough Bridge Bowling Club and Worsbrough Village were expected to submit applications. The group discussed mass bulb planting and the benefits of this scheme.

The notes from the Worsbrough Ward Alliance meeting which took place on 21 August 2025, stated that the group agreed to fund in part the application from Worsbrough Bridge Bowling Club to the sum of £1,000 with the caveat that they arrange four taster/ recruitment events next year to improve membership and support the long term sustainability of the club. It was agreed to transfer £2,000 into the Engagement fund to cover costs of the Flavours of Christmas event in the event that alternative funding cannot be secured. The group were in favour of moving forward with the Love Where You Live project proposal from Patrick Murphy.

Stepping Stones

The Central Area Council was scheduled to discuss the Stepping Stones project, facilitated through the Central Area Community Development Officer, Sarah Davey. According to the Stepping Stones report, the projects included:

• Stepping Stones Micro-volunteering: small volunteering opportunities in community settings.
• Coffee, Cake and Confidence: a confidence building programme using activities and social interaction.
• Coffee, Cake and Community: a social and activity group run by volunteers in Worsbrough Library with arts and crafts, quizzes, and bingo.
• Deep Dives with organisations: supporting organisations to explore their vision, set goals, grow and move forward and supporting them to access funding to see their dreams become a reality.
• Community Calendar: a monthly calendar highlighting a vast range of activities happening throughout the Central Area.

The report stated that in total there were 12 Stepping Stones micro-volunteering Volunteers, 5 Coffee Cake and Community Volunteers, and 3 Coffee Cake and Confidence Volunteers. In total, volunteers contributed 828 hours, with a cashable value of £11,948.

The report included case studies of volunteers who have progressed through the Stepping Stones projects into new areas. One volunteer, David, who loves environmental volunteering, was offered the opportunity to do more regular volunteering in Locke Park, and has been regularly volunteering there since. Mark and Lisa, who have been volunteering with the Stepping Stones projects for more than two years, now volunteer on a regular basis at the Storehouse and Field Food Pantry which operated out of Hope House Church.

The report also stated that the Coffee, Cake and Confidence programme had joined forces with The Gateway Hub, and NHS Social prescribing team to deliver a joint project where every partner contributed in a different way.

The report stated that in 2025- 2026, the Stepping Stones project would include:

• Stepping Together: Volunteer Progression Programme: matching a volunteer to 4-5 local organisations/ groups for 4 weeks to experience volunteering in a set place.
• Coffee Cake and community: aiming for this group to become constituted and run by the volunteers themselves with the CDO overseeing.
• Deep dives with new groups, for example, Local Mencap and Romanian group to support them in moving forwards.
• Delivery of training sessions around envisioning, mission, values, and foundations to funding to VCS organisations to support them in moving forwards.

Performance Management Report

The Central Area Council was scheduled to discuss the 202526 Q1 Central Performance Report. The report summarised delivery from Quarter one 2025-2026 including some case studies.

The report stated that the Central Area Council priorities for 2025 - 2026 were:

• Reduction in loneliness and isolation in adults & older people
• Improvement in the emotional resilience and wellbeing of children and young people
• Creating a cleaner and greener environment in partnership with local people
• Supporting Vulnerable People

The report noted that in Q1, Central Area providers contributed to Stronger Communities' Key Performance Indicators by providing 386 volunteering opportunities, supporting 188 people to access benefits advice, and generating 1069 total volunteering hours.

Central Wellbeing Fund

The 202526 Q1 Central Performance Report stated that the Citizens Advice Barnsley Central Area Outreach Advice Service delivered impactful support from April to June 2025, operating across multiple venues and channels to assist residents with benefits and general advice. The service engaged 213 unique clients through 652 contacts, securing over £127,000 in unclaimed benefits and managing £8,662 in debt.

Social Isolation Challenge Fund

The 202526 Q1 Central Performance Report stated that from April to June 2025, community-led activities across several wards supported over 200 regular beneficiaries, helping to reduce loneliness and isolation. Highlights included weekly craft sessions and guest speakers at Lightbox (Central Library), gender-specific social groups in Stairfoot, a growing lunch club in Dodworth, and new volunteer-led initiatives in Kingstone such as bowls, upcycling, and crafting for charity. In Worsbrough, Coffee & Connections drew around 50 participants weekly, while The Hut provided a shared space for mixed craft groups.

Youth Work Fund

The 202526 Q1 Central Performance Report stated that YMCA Barnsley continues to run weekly youth sessions across multiple wards, focusing on personal development, relationships, and youth-led workshops. Activities include debates, mental health awareness, creative projects, and campaigns like Small Talks, which promote kindness and peer support.

YMCA Barnsley delivers weekly detached youth sessions every Thursday (4–6 pm) in Dodworth and Gilroyd. Activities promote personal development, community engagement, and address local concerns such as litter and anti-social behaviour.

The Youth Association delivers activities in Worsbrough, Kendray, Hoyle Mill, Stairfoot, Bank End, and Central Barnsley, including graffiti art, multi-sports, and naturebased sessions funded by the Great Childhood Ambition².

CAC Commissioned Service

The 202526 Q1 Central Performance Report stated that EnviroCentral has made a strong, visible impact across Central Area Wards this quarter, focusing on public footpath improvements, environmental clean-ups, and community collaboration. Key achievements include:

• Reopening the footpath behind KDA, Dodworth, enhancing access to local trails.
• Restoration work at Stairfoot Station, preserving a valued community asset.
• Reclaiming overgrown paths near the Old Yews Hotel in Worsbrough.
• Ongoing support at St George's Church, Kingstone, creating a safer, more welcoming space.
• Targeted action in Measborough Dike, addressing fly-tipping and overgrown alleys through stakeholder collaboration.

The primary focus this quarter for the Safer Neighbourhoods team has been on garden waste, contaminated bins, and waste management, with 54 incidents addressed. Foot patrols continue in fly-tipping hotspots, supported by South Yorkshire Police, Adult Social Care, and Berneslai Homes.

Central Area Council Link Officer Report

The Central Area Council was scheduled to receive a report from Steve Loach, Central Area Council Senior Management Link Officer.