To seek approval from Cabinet to deliver a joint project with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) funded through European Social Fund (ESF) to support adult and youth employment.   This has been developed as a national project for all Communities First Clusters by Welsh Government.  Approval is sought subject to the satisfaction of conditions identified within the report.

The Corporate Director Communities submitted a report, seeking Cabinet approval to deliver a joint project with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) funded through European Social Fund (ESF) to support adult and youth employment. This had been developed as a national project for all Communities 1^st Clusters by Welsh Government. Approval was sought subject to the satisfaction of conditions identified within the report.

He explained that the previous report to Cabinet on 3^rd February 2015 highlighted the development of a new project by Welsh Government and Department for Work and Pensions – Communities for Work (C4W).  This report sought authority for officers to explore with Welsh Government (WG) proposals for the Bridgend area and to bring a further report when details were available.

He added that current guidance from Welsh Government indicates that 3 staff per cluster will be funded, (an adult mentor, a youth mentor, and a triage officer) with a potential additional one post for each lead delivery body for financial and governance purposes, subject to negotiation.

The lead bodies for European funding purposes are Welsh Government and DWP.  In order to participate in this project, Bridgend Council, as the Communities First Lead Delivery Body (LDB) will be required to enter into a legal agreement with WG, to undertake a specific activity on its behalf, under a ‘Service of General Economic Interest’ which is provided in an ‘Act of Entrustment’ to meet EU regulations. This legal documentation had not yet been issued by Welsh Government, so any decision by Cabinet to participate in the project will be subject to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Regulatory Services, and the Corporate Director Resources being satisfied with the terms of the agreement.

The Corporate Director Communities then referred to paragraph 4.6 of the report, and work that was underway on the Project, and he expanded upon this for the benefit of the Cabinet.

He added that the project was to be welcomed, as it would provide a level of intensive support and mentoring for individuals which will enhance the current employment support activities of the C1st programme within the Communities First structure. Subject to successful conclusion of the negotiations on the financial and legal issues, Cabinet was recommended to authorise officers to pursue this project with the purpose of implementation, as soon as possible.

The Cabinet Member Resources asked if the Authority were making provision for redundancy costs proposed as a result of the Project, from grant monies that had been committed to it.

The Corporate Director Communities explained that this would be raised with Welsh Government as part of the business planning of the Project. The first 2 years of the Project would be supported through grant funding for the Project itself, however, after this period the Council would be responsible for the Project. Staff would be aware at the outset that the length of the Project would be for 2 years, so it was anticipated that they would look for other employment opportunities before this term ends. He acknowledged that this was a risk though, that he would look into.

The Cabinet Member Children’s Social Services and Equalities asked how the Project was intended to be managed.

The Corporate member Communities confirmed that this was an issue that would be looked into further accordingly.

RESOLVED:                       That Cabinet authorised the Corporate Director Communities to develop the Delivery Plan for the project in Bridgend, and in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Regulatory Services, to enter into the necessary agreements with Welsh Government on behalf of the Council, as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report.