Agenda item

Jasbir Jhas, Senior Adviser, introduced the paper. She advised board members that the paper captured the outcomes of the discussion on Skills and Employment which had taken place between City Regions and People and Places Lead Members on 10^th May. At this meeting, lead members had agreed that the work would be a key priority as discussions evolved.

The relationship and work carried out between local government and the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) was discussed, as was the changing role of Job Centre Plus. Members were advised that the LGA was working on the Work and Health Programme (WHP) with DWP, which would be devolved in 10 devolution deal areas. National consultation events had been arranged by the LGA and DWP in May on this and a working group was looking at recommendations in this area.

In 2018, the Job Centre Plus Estates Contract would end and there would be an opportunity for local government to put forward a vision on the employment service. Members were advised that the LGA would look to develop a green paper on this in the autumn.

Members were also advised that work with Shared Intelligence on growth related areas had been recommissioned. They would produce an independent report on this.

In the discussion which followed, members raised the following points:

·         In reference to paragraph 10 and the adult education budget, members discussed learner loans and asked how they could be used as a catalyst to benefit those who had benefited little from the system. Members also emphasised that developing a partnership approach with the careers service was important.

·         As well as developing local government’s relationship with DWP, members highlighted that it was important for local government to develop a working relationship with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), so that skills and employment work at government level could be joined up.  

·         In reference to paragraph 8 and the availability of jobs, members felt there needed to be a way of ensuring good, qualitative jobs were available.

·         The results of the further education system should be considered so that it was clear how adult education could be improved.

·         Members highlighted that the paper did not mention youth employment and how this could be measured. They asked if additional funding streams would be available for this area.

·         A culture change within was needed DWP and some early positive changes had been seen. Members asked how the agenda with DWP could be broadened in the future.

·         Members asked what the difference would be in the 10 devolution deal areas where the WHP was being developed compared with the national solution offered elsewhere. This was something the board would look to influence as it was developed. Members asked if there would be an opportunity for flexibility within the DWP national framework.

·         Members noted that the role of Job Centre Plus was changing and that it was important for the organisation to be encouraged to work with other local partners.

Decisions:

1.    Members noted the update.

Actions:

1.    Officers agreed to take forward work as directed by members above.