Agenda and minutes

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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Poverty Reduction Policy Development & Delivery Committee held on 25 October 2017 be signed and approved as a correct record.

Rachel Moxey, Head of Poverty & Prevention provided a presentation which considered the fit between the Swansea Working Programme and the achieving of the outcomes of the Tackling Poverty Strategy.   

All Members of the Committee had previously received a copy of the draft Tackling Poverty Strategy.  The Head of Poverty & Prevention outlined the principles, key outcomes, the Swansea Working contribution, including what was included in the Swansea Working Programme, its goals and anticipated outcomes.

Discussions centered around the following topic areas:

·                   Clarity on the governance arrangements was requested, in particular the link between the Poverty Reduction PDDC and the role of the Swansea Public Services Board.  Should there be 2-way reporting mechanism?

·                   It was suggested that careers events could also be held in Schools, not just Colleges;

·                   Information on how many schools were signed up to the ‘Team Around the Family’ scheme was requested;

·                   About 800 people were currently being supported, however there were approximately 24,000 economically inactive people in Swansea.  At present we currently help around 300 people into work, however it was acknowledged that additional work in this area was required and working in isolation should be avoided; 

·                   The Authority has developed a good working relationship with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) in relation to the introduction of Universal Credit; 

·                   Mark Hurry, Job Centre+ had assisted in compiling the briefing note previously provided to the Committee outlining mechanisms being put in place to support those in receipt of Universal Credit; 

·                   Changes had been announced in the Chancellors budget statement in relation to Universal Credit, but they were only in relation to process changes;

·                   Employment provision statistics, eg how many people we currently help into jobs / projects was already being recorded; 

·                   Once the Poverty Strategy had been adopted, quarterly statistics would be published;

·                   Work with other organisations had already progressed in order to help make residents ready for employment.

The Committee discussed the forward work programme and suggested that it would be beneficial to invite the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities to the next meeting to further discuss and confirm the priorities of the Work Plan.

In relation to the letter to be drafted to the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, in addition to clarity on the concerns outlined above, in order to monitor progress of the Swansea Working Programme the Committee requested quarterly statistics on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) linked to the scheme, as outlined below:

Ø    How many people do we currently help into work?

Ø    How many people are we currently supporting?

Ø    How many people obtain a training outcome?

Ø    What is the unit cost of helping a person into work?

Resolved that:

1.               The presentation be noted;

2.               The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities be invited to the next meeting to further discuss and confirm the priorities of the Work Plan.

3.               Nick Williams, Chief Education Officer be invited to a future meeting to receive more information in relation to improving outcomes in STEM subjects/demand sectors;

4.               Mark Hurry, Job Centre+ be invited to a future meeting in relation to the work being undertaken in respect of Universal Credit;

5.               The Chair in conjunction with the Head of Poverty & Prevention / Director of People write to the Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities outlining the concerns of the Committee and requesting quarterly statistics on the KPI’s as outlined above.

The Vice Chair presented the amended Workplan for 2017-2018.

It was noted that due to a clash with the Safeguarding PDDC scheduled for 20 December 2017, there might be a requirement for the agenda items to be rescheduled to a later date.

The Committee noted that a report would be presented to Council on 23 November 2017 amending the terms of reference for the 5 Policy Development & Delivery Committees.  Due to the number of items in the current Work Plan, the Committee agreed to continue to meet on a monthly basis.

Resolved that the amended Workplan be noted.