URL: https://barnsleymbc.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3110

Decision Maker: Executive Director Children's Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: To enable the Base71 membership funding previously agreed by Cabinet to be used to fund both new memberships and renewals for Barnsley children and young people, up to the agreed value of £150,000. The introduction of recurring memberships would not take effect until mid September. The rate of new memberships has slowed significantly. At the current trajectory, reaching the target of 30,000 new memberships could take a number of years; at present, approximately 7,000 memberships are in place.   There is also a risk that maintaining the current model could unintentionally disadvantage those who rely most on the scheme. Retaining the existing agreement with no changes was considered but rejected due to a slowdown in new memberships as achieving the target of 30,000 new memberships would take an unacceptably long period. Maintaining the existing agreement presents a risk that those members who reply most on the scheme may be unable to renew their mebershiship without continued support, underminding the scheme’s equity objectives.

Date of Decision: April 8, 2026