Decision details

(Note: Councillor S Cox withdrew from the meeting prior to the consideration of this item.) 

Cabinet received a report which sought approval to accept funding that would result in a project over 3 years that would support at least 600 residents aged 29 and over along a journey into employment / self-employment, with at least 154 individuals into employment by the end of the 3 year project.  The project helped to deliver the Employment and Skills Strategy agreed by Cabinet in January 2017, and would be delivered by a consortium of community and voluntary sector organisations with the Authority acting as the Accountable Body.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to agree the recommendations outlined in section 1.2 of the report to accept the offer of ESF funding and delegate authority to deliver the project as set out in the report; or alternatively, not to accept the offer of grant funding.

Resolved that (1) the Head of Resources be authorised to accept the offer of the grant of ESF funding, as detailed in the report, subject to agreement in the form of a funding agreement with Department for Work and Pensions as the Managing Authority on terms approved by the Head of Law and Governance; and

(2) the Head of Commissioning and Asset Management, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, the Deputy Mayor, Head of Resources and Head of Law and Governance, be authorised to take all necessary steps to complete the grant funding agreement.

(Reasons for decision: The funding will support a project to build capacity across the community and voluntary sector and enable adults over the age of 29 with complex needs that require additional support to progress along a journey into employment.)