Minutes:
(1) Mr Wells stated that he was delighted to give this presentation to Cabinet following the Government’s recent announcement that Thanet had been assessed as being eligible to receive over £4m of Working Neighbourhood Funds over a three year period from 2008-2011. He stated that this represented a new phase of targeting resources to the most deprived areas of the country and that he hoped to see a step change in outcomes through partnership working in order to reduce levels of worklessness and benefit dependency; decrease the proportion of children in households without work; and add value to mainstream programmes and funding.
(2) Mr Wells stated that the delivery of the funding would be focussed on the following groups:-
· Those of school leaving age and NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
· Those in school but at risk of not achieving
· Those on out of work benefits – priority groups with Job Centre Plus
· Those within employment but have no qualifications or low skills
(3) It was noted that the outcomes from this important work would contribute to the achievement of a number of specific performance measures within the KA2 strategy indicators; specifically those relating to economic success and learning for all. The work would also contribute to the achievement of several DCSF targets, such as those relating to recognised qualifications for young people and Looked After Children. Mr Wells acknowledged in his presentation, that the outcomes that both KCC and Thanet District Council would be working towards could not be achieved without the ongoing excellent co-operation that exists amongst a number of public, private and voluntary sector partners.
(4) Mr Wells stated that there was sufficient capacity and expertise within KCC to deliver innovative approaches to reducing NEETs and realistic progression routes in the locality, together with inspirational activities for learners at risk of not achieving in school and upskilling those in employment with recognised qualifications.
(5) Mr Carter echoed the comments of Mr Wells in welcoming these essential additional funds for Thanet and assuring the people of Thanet that KCC would do all it could to support the achievement of the key outcomes referred to in the presentation. In particular, he spoke about the County Council’s plans to expand the Kent Apprenticeship Programme for young people aged 16+, with a target of 400 apprenticeship placements for young people in Thanet over a three year period. He also spoke about the Pre-Apprenticeship Programme for young people aged 16+ with no qualifications; an employment and ‘skills match’ service for employees and employers; work placement mentoring and “Fighting Fund” eg equipment and transport costs; and short courses, incremental learning opportunities and a skills framework.
(6) Mr Carter also stated that he wanted to help to broaden opportunities for Thanet residents to pursue employment and training opportunities outside Thanet with the potential idea of the introduction of shuttle buses to help people get to employment opportunities in Mid and West Kent and back each day.
(7) Mr Wells stated that a strategy to improve work readiness in Thanet was due to be presented to TDC’s Cabinet on 7 August 2008 and that either he or Mr Dance would be present for that meeting.
(8) Finally, Mr Carter stated that KCC would follow progress keenly to ensure the achievement of these important outcomes for the people of Thanet.
(9) Cabinet agreed to note the presentation and endorse the actions that would now begin to achieve the desired outcomes.