Agenda item

To interview Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs & Business, Councillor John Batteson covering a holistic overview of key strategies and projects under the cabinet member portfolio.

The commission then heard from Councillor Batteson on his Cabinet role and remit in Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business.

Councillor Batteson made the following points:

Employment Support, Apprenticeships and Internships

Employment support focuses on the priority groups facing the greatest barriers to work and is delivered through Southwark Works, a framework of specialist providers supporting people with disabilities, long-term unemployed, ex-offenders, refugees and people at risk of homelessness. More work is needed to raise the visibility of the service. If national government devolves skills and employment support then there may be increased opportunities for the service. Nationally, the apprenticeship system is struggling but Southwark is doing well, particularly in terms of entry level apprenticeships. A more diverse range of Apprenticeship industries and sectors would be beneficial as new apprenticeship posts are predominantly in the Construction industries. In terms of paid Internships, the programme offers three themes: for Sixth Form students; for penultimate year undergraduates; for graduates within 12 months of graduating.

The Skills Delivery Plan

This focuses on six sectors where long-term growth is expected. Activities are more advanced in some sectors (the Green sector has a Skills Centre and pathways into Southwark Works whereas the Hospitality sector has a Skills Hub opening in the next few months). Further work is needed to link employment sectors so that skills training and pathways more closely match how people look for jobs.

Business Support

Businesses are keen to access more funding. Southwark Pioneers and the Thriving High Street Programme are the main vehicles for this. Analysis of Southwark Pioneers (supporting start-ups, micro-businesses, social enterprises and businesses in growth phases) shows good distribution of support for businesses across the Borough.

Living Wage Borough

The Borough is making progress towards the target of doubling Living Wage Employers by 2026 (to 496) with a focus on developing conversations in the business community to highlight advantages for employers (recruitment and retention among others).

The Commission then asked questions on:

·  the Council’s role in linking Apprenticeships with Children in Care in Southwark and with schools

·  the background to and funding outcomes of the Southwark Pioneers Fund and how it could be better advertised

·  current provision for those leaving prison (given the national situation)

·  how businesses are meeting the challenge of the Living Wage given the current economic situation

Danny explained that Care Leavers (Children in Care are supported by Children and Adult Services) are an important priority for the Council and a Priority group for Southwark Works where they receive bespoke skills support and access to the support network.

Councillor Batteson explained the importance of the Pioneers Fund (currently in Year 2 of 4 and so outcomes yet to be fully evaluated). Councillor Batteson has been working with officers in Communications to increase visibility through existing channels and to focus on beneficiaries of the fund who can share their stories and so help to engage others. More work is needed to illustrate the support available to potential users.

Regarding ex-offenders, Councillor Batteson agreed to find out from Southwark Works and Pecan (relevant support organisation) on the current situation and report back to the Commission.

Councillor Batteson informed the commission that the aim is to reach the target number of Living Wage employers, noting that accreditation warrants a cost for the business and also that the Council has a role in encouraging and supporting the process of accreditation. Additional initiatives, such as encouraging businesses in Council-owned properties to be Living Wage employers, are being explored.

In response to a query about the appearance of a graph on page 10 of the Local Economy Programmes report, Danny noted the ward label formatting error which would be reformatted, and the report recirculated.

The Chair summarised the discussion and noted opportunities for further boosting communications around the Skills Delivery Plan (and employment support more generally) and links from these to the care system, prisons and schools.