Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

Councillor Ceri Evans declared a personal interest in Minute 35 “Swansea Council - Employability Provision.”

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

Councillor Ceri Evans declared a personal interest in Minute 35 “Swansea Council - Employability Provision.”

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

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the People Policy Development Committee held on 24 November 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Update noted.

Elliott Williams, External Funding Manager provided a verbal update on Swansea Council’s Employability Provision as follows as there had been some significant changes:

·                    Kickstart

This programme would be ending shortly and whilst no new placements could be advertised from December 2021, existing placements could still be filled until March 2022.  The programme had been very successful, with in excess of 60 placements.

As a result of the Kickstart programme, work was ongoing to investigate whether a similar follow on project could be developed and would be dependant on a grant bid to the Swansea Economic Recovery Fund.

This would hopefully allow more flexibility in terms of the eligibility for those individuals who could access the provision so it could be available to all age categories and flex the duration of contract hours for each placement, as well as providing wrap around and mentoring support.

·                    Pathways to Work

A successful collaborative bid had been submitted to the UK Government Community Renewal Fund in April/May this year. The project would provide pre-engagement support, employability support, skills support, advancement of digital skills, job clubs and would provide a more flexible approach to employability.  The scheme would involve 6 delivery partners including the YMCA, Barnardos, Gower College Swansea, Swansea Council for Voluntary Services (SCVS) and Techno-camps.  It was hoped to develop bespoke pathways including digital pathways into employment.

It was worth noting that Pathways to Work would be a 6 month pilot, however it would provide an opportunity to work with the partners to gauge how provision could be shaped and tested prior to the announcement by the UK Government in the next few months in relation to the Shared Prosperity Fund.

The External Funding Manager stated that he would provide a more detailed update at the next meeting.

Update deferred.

Update deferred.

Approved.

The Chair presented the Work Plan for 2021-2022.

Resolved that the Work Plan be approved.

The Chair thanked everyone for their continued support and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas.