Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02C - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions

Contact: Everton Roberts 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

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    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Minutes:

    There were no apologies for absence.

2.

NOTIFICATION OF ANY ITEMS OF BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR DEEMS URGENT

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    In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were no late items.

3.

DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS

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    Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting.

    Minutes:

    There were no disclosures of interests or dispensations.

4.

MINUTES

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    To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the open section of the meeting held on Monday 29 February 2016.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED:

     

    That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2016 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chair.

5.

PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT PHASE 2

    To agree a revised value of the agreement with St Giles Trust to deliver Pathways to Employment Phase 2.

    Supporting documents:

    Minutes:

    The joint committee heard from Helen Payne, Assistant Director, Welfare, Employment and Skills (Lambeth), Stephen Gaskell, Head of Chief Executive’s Office (Southwark), Robyn Fairman, Head of Strategy (Lewisham) and Ameeta Rowland, programme manager for the three boroughs.

     

    In addition to the information set out in the report, officers reported that the number of people who had gained employment through the pathways to employment phase 2 programme interim grant was now 180.  This was up from 128 quoted in the report (paragraph 18). 

     

    Officers also reported to members on future areas of work, advising that the intention was always to look at how the three boroughs could work on areas where there was a common interest, employment being the nucleus for the combined delivery.  Members were informed that the Area Based Review of Skills had just been concluded and this had provided an opportunity to look at improving skills provision and the potential to deliver something on a sub regional basis.  Through officer discussions it had been identified that there is common ground with the three boroughs on tackling low pay and helping residents to progress in work.  It was explained that one of the key elements of Universal Credit Full Service was that it introduces in work conditionality for those deemed to be not working enough or in low paid positions, and individuals and those people will be required to report to their local Jobcentre.  Officers advised that this is considered to be an extremely significant welfare reform and there is a big gap in terms of support for that group.  The Department for Work and Pensions and others had been running a number of trials across the country around in work progression.

     

    Officers emphasised that tackling low pay and helping residents’ progression in work was a priority for the three boroughs and there was a significant opportunity to work with residents in this position that had not been possible before.  Officers reported that the Jobcentre is committed to working with the three local authorities around supporting that group and thinking about what can be done to achieve this aim.  Officers were seeking members’ agreement to explore developing a pilot in this area with a view to funding this initiative through potential unspent monies from the Apprenticeship Levy.  This would involve liaising with the GLA and London Councils.  It was considered that this would be a good natural progression from the Pathways given that the ‘work and health’ programme would in effect be Phase 3 of the pathways to employment programme.

     

    RESOLVED:

     

    1.  That the three leaders write formally to London Councils expressing disappointment about the delays and the handling of the European Social Fund as referred to in paragraph 11 of the report and also write a letter of thanks to St Giles Trust for delivering the programme in the way they have despite the uncertainty.

     

    2.  That the revised value of the agreement with St Giles Trust to deliver Pathways to Employment Phase 2 be up to £1,660,900  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.