Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no apologies.

Declarations of Interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the agenda.

None.

None.

None.

None.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd March 2020 be agreed as a true record.

The Board considered the SCR’s proposed Economic Renewal Action Plan.

It was noted that the objectives of the Plan were:

·         To mitigate the worst effects of the crisis and deliver immediate socio-economic relief to people, places and businesses.

·         To accelerate the recovery from the economic recession currently underway.

·         To drive a renewal of the socio-economic fortunes of South Yorkshire.

·         To ensure full alignment with the SEP.

·         To help realise the LEP and MCA’s three policy objectives of economic growth, inclusion and sustainability.

Interventions would be focused on delivering immediate and sustained relief, in collaboration with local authorities, business and government, with the three main areas of focus being people, employers and places.

It was noted that the hardest hit sectors had been hospitality, non-food retailers and leisure whilst also acknowledging that some sectors were doing well including the care sector, tech and some construction industries.

The presentation listed the relief stage priority interventions including creating 3,000 apprenticeships and 17,000 other training positions, supporting employers to adapt, survive and thrive despite Covid-19 and infrastructure investment to level up the economy, create jobs and transform communities.

The main aim was to reduce or avoid mass unemployment and insolvencies.

It was also important to help people overcome barriers, support social mobility and reduce inequality; interventions were planned to assist with this.

The Board agreed that its role was around jobs and skills programmes and they should assist in driving that agenda forward. 

It was agreed that clarity was needed regarding the role of the non-constituent authorities.

The Board discussed the need to ensure there were good quality training providers and that the training should provide real opportunities.

It was also agreed that time was of the essence and the Board would need to meet more frequently to assist with driving the delivery plan forward.

It was suggested that Cllr J Dore and N Brewster should meet with officers to work through what the delivery plan would look like as soon as possible, following this another meeting of the Board would be arranged to discuss ways forward.

The Board thanked F Kumi-Ampofo for his presentation.

A report was presented which provided an update of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) evidence and how the budget was currently spent within the region.  The report also sought clarification from the Board as to the approach to establishing the priorities for the City Region ensuring cross-regional and local place-based activity was captured and how Members wished to engage locally in their places.

Members were reminded that the AEB function would be devolved to the MCA from the 2021/22 academic year, starting on 1st August 2021.  A final allocation would not be formally confirmed until nearer the time but it was anticipated that the devolved Adult Education Budget to the City Region would be approximately £36m per annum.

A table within the report provided an indicative AEB devolution timeline. It was noted that the timetable provided contingency time for unanticipated issues that could arise during the next 14 months.

The Board also considered a presentation which included details on the initial evidence arising from the data available. A supplementary data pack would be made available in the coming weeks.  Following agreement on engaging with Members and their officers, the pack would include greater place-based detail of AEB.

The presentation included:

·         Initial understanding of what current AEB funding supported based on 2018/19 data.

·         Information on the current provider base.

·         A summary of provision delivered.

·         Key messages from the data.

·         Commissioning AEB provision from August 2021.

With regard to the provider base, Members noted that the procurement round in the autumn would reduce the current number of AEB providers delivering to residents, but would ensure that small niche and third sector providers and good quality sub-contractors would have a role in delivering AEB provision.

The Board discussed at length who and what could be priorities, how the providers could be held to account, governance arrangements and the Board’s role and responsibilities within AEB.

It was decided that Cllr Dore and N Brewster would meet in the near future to discuss the Board’s role and priorities.  Cllr Dore invited a non-constituent member to attend to discuss concerns around their role.

It was agreed to arrange another meeting of the Board as soon as possible to discuss today’s two agenda items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

·         Skills Advisory Network

None.