Agenda item

Philip Clifford, Senior Adviser, introduced the item, advising members that the Leading Places Project was a joint initiative between the LGA, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and Universities UK (UUK). The project’s aim was to explore how best to strengthen collaborative leadership between councils and the higher education sector through a pilot in six areas.

He advised the board that the six areas were currently choosing challenge themes to take forward with the help of facilitators (the Leadership Foundation). Gloucestershire had now held their Senior Leadership Group Meeting and had confirmed their challenge theme. The other five areas were expected to hold meetings and confirm challenge themes by the end of September. There would be a national event in November where pilot areas would share their ideas and progress so far.

He advised the board that a website for the project was now up and running and that there had been significant interest in the project. Officers were currently considering whether there was sufficient interest to run a second phase and asked members for suggestions on taking this forward and on what basis pilot areas should be selected.

In the discussion which followed, the following point was made:

·         The project might be of benefit to areas that had not had an area review on further education as it could help to change the shape of this.

Decision:

1.    Members noted the update.

Action:

1.    Officers to continue to update members as the project progressed.