Agenda item

To receive a written update from the Mayor and deal with questions and answers arising therefrom

The Mayor moved his report as written.

Questions in relation to the Mayor’s Report

Councillor Morrish on Outwood Academy Riverside.

The Mayor stated that the school was needed to address current capacity requirements and it was a shame that the building had not been completed sooner.  Whilst there were no plans currently for another school in the same area, the Council was exploring the provision of a school elsewhere in the town which would be focussed on SEND provision.  This would free up capacity at other schools.  School capacity would continue to be monitored and the Mayor stated that the Council would always seek additional provision as needed.

Councillor Cooper on Outwood Academy Riverside.

The Mayor explained that pupils could apply for free home to school transport if they lived outside of a 3 mile radius.  Paid for school transport was currently provided to some of the pupils due to where the school was currently based.  Once the school was open, eligibility assessments would be undertaken for pupils in respect of support with home to school transport.

Councillor Wilson on the Budget.

The Mayor responded that £650,000 would be allocated to making neighbourhoods safer which included a range of measures.  Whilst additional security cameras could be provided, monitoring and enforcement was equally important and therefore additional legal support would also be made available.  The professional witness service would be extended, there would be additional staff to tackle environmental crimes as well as parenting officers to help to tackle children who were at risk of exploitation or offending and families with reoccurring issues.   The establishment of a youth club in every ward of the town would be a good first step so that young people could be engaged in meaningful activities that could change their lives. 

Where there were existing buildings, the Mayor confirmed these could be used for youth provision.  However, there was also detached work ongoing, such as in the Park End area of the town, where outdoor youth clubs had been held and had proved popular.   Funding was predominantly for staff rather than buildings, as the youth provision could not be provided without staff.   The Mayor also highlighted the Youth Infinity project and thanked Lindsey Morrow, who ran the service, for the excellent work that was taking place. 

Councillor Uddin on Bring it on Boro.

The Mayor confirmed that provision had been made in the Budget for the next year to extend the Bring it on Boro project to cover every half term.  The Mayor’s next update to Council would include some of the Young Inspectors’ Reports on the provision available.  The young people’s feedback had already resulted in changes to improve some of the sessions. 

Councillor Kabuye on Youth Opportunities in every Ward.

The Mayor agreed there was a link between anti-social behaviour and crime where young people did not have access to youth services locally.  The Mayor hoped to extend the 10 by 10 project across the whole town next year and offer every single child, 10 opportunities by the time they reached the age of ten years old.  However, the Mayor added that the results of this initiative would not be measurable until ten years’ time and it was important to have structured funding to enable young people to have better lives.

Councillor McTigue on Council Plan Priorities – A Healthy Place

The Mayor stated that a previous proposal to offer a subsidised pest control service to residents had been voted against in the Council’s 2023/2024 Budget.   There were now four pest control operatives working throughout the town, an increase from the previous one and the forthcoming draft Budget proposed the introduction of a subsidised pest control service for residents.  The Mayor added that there were other providers within the town with responsibility for pest control as part of their statutory duties and they would not be able access this service.   

Councillor McTigue on dedicated Becks Team

The Mayor stated that currently the Council did not have a dedicated becks team and as a consequence did not have capacity to visit all the watercourses regularly.  However, there was a proposal in the forthcoming budget to address this.  The Mayor also accepted Councillor McTigue’s invitation to visit her ward to see the flooding issues described.