The Corporate Director - Wellbeing submitted a report that updated the Committee regarding progress and achievements made through the above project.

            The Group Manager - Wellbeing confirmed that the C.O.A.S.T.AL Project was a Regional Strategic Project covering six local authority areas of Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

            The Project aimed to promote vocational guidance, employment, skills training and lifelong learning opportunities for individuals who are currently economically inactive as a result of:

•    Illness

•    Disability (Mental Illness, Learning Disability)

•    Physical Disability, Sensory Impairment)

•    Substance misuse problems

•    Serious social disadvantage associated with the transition from long-term care into adulthood

            Swansea City Council is the lead authority for C.O.A.S.T.AL and had a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Welsh European Funding Office (W.E.F.O) as part of the convergence programme. 

            The Group Manager - Wellbeing stated that Bridgend C.O.A.S.T. had delivered a £2million training and employment project to participants across the County Borough over the last three years. One million pounds was funded by ESF convergence grant funding and the balance was provided as “match funding” by Wood B, B Leaf and Environmental Projects managed by Bridgend County Borough Council (B.C.B.C.) The main aim had been to raise levels of employment and economic activity, and secure higher participation in the labour market.

            The Group Manager - Wellbeing referred Members to the information at appendix 1 to the report, that showed in graphical format, a report of outcome data regarding the project to the end of April 2014.  These graphs showed targets for the number of people enrolled on to the project; the number of people entering employment; the number of people gaining a qualification; the number of people entering further learning, and the number of people gaining a positive outcome.  A positive outcome would constitute the following: an interview, non-accredited training, work placement or volunteering opportunity.

            The data in the graphs was explained in more detail in Paragraph 4.2 of the report, and covered:-

1.         Information regarding participants enrolled onto the Project.

2.         The number of participants claiming a qualification.

3.         The number of participants entering further learning.

4.         The number of participants entering employment.

5.         The number of participants achieving a positive outcome.

The Project C.O.A.S.T. Manager then, for the benefit of Members, expanded upon the data detailed in the reports appendix.

She added that all targets set for Bridgend C.O.A.S.T had been achieved and exceeded with the exception of the further learning target.  

The Project C.O.A.S.T. Manager further added that at the end of the project, all participants still active will be sign posted to the most appropriate employment or training organisation.  Also, Bridgend was working very hard to achieve a Social Enterprise from the current work related projects that we provide at B Leaf, Wood B and the Environmental Project.

The Group Manager - Wellbeing advised that the C.O.A.S.T.AL project has been part funded via the European Social Fund, which had met all the additional costs of delivering the outcomes identified in the report.  Match funding had been provided to the scheme through the use of existing provision within the Day Services work related projects.  The Council will receive £1m in grant monies covering the period 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2014 and has provided an equivalent amount in match funding. He added however, that European funding would soon be coming to an end.

Notwithstanding the fact that the project would soon no longer be funded, the Group Manager - Wellbeing confirmed that consideration was being given to developing a Business Case with the view of transforming the Projects of B Leaf and Wood B to a self-standing social enterprise, to provide a type of work experience training organisation.  He added that the establishment of this would be for a two year Project, and that a bid would be made through the European Convergence Fund to set-up this with assistance from other organisations in Bridgend.

The Project C.O.A.S.T. Manager, then read out for Members, a case study from an individual that had benefited from the C.O.A.S.T. Project.

“Since I have been going to C.O.A.S.T. for the last two years I have completed courses which are Health and Safety, Food Hygiene and First Aid, which I enjoyed doing when I first  started C.O.A.S.T.  I was shy and nervous about meeting new people.  This year I have built up my confidence by learning new skills about how to cope with different things like meeting new people and completing all of my courses which I have achieved.  This year I was selected to do my work placement in Bridgend County Borough Council for administration and reception, plus I have completed my NVQ level 2 in Customer Service which is dealing with customers, solving problems and answering the telephone, which I completed in three months.  When C.O.A.S.T. finishes in June I will carry on with everything which I have learnt in the last two years since I have been with C.O.A.S.T.  Plus it would be nice if I could get a part time job as a receptionist.

I just want to say a very big thank you to everyone in C.O.A.S.T. for having me here, it has been a pleasure for me taking part on the courses and doing different things”.

In terms of paragraph 4.1 of the report, a Member asked if there was any data available to confirm that of the number of participants entering employment as a result of becoming involved in C.O.A.S.T., and, if so, how many had entered into private sector employment compared to how many had entered into that of the public sector.

The Project C.O.A.S.T. Manager confirmed that the majority of employment opportunities that arose for participants in C.O.A.S.T. were in the private sector.

A Member felt that it would be worthwhile to look to advertise projects such as C.O.A.S.T. widely, with a view to reaching out to as many people as possible who would find projects such this beneficial.  He added that this could be achieved for example through sharing these with other organisations and Business Forums and Bridgend County Borough Council Newsletters.

The Leader added that projects like C.O.A.S.T. could also be shared with the Council’s Economic Development Section in terms of both advertising and drawing up potential suitable candidates to give individuals the confidence to participate in projects such as these, that would in turn, give them the confidence to progress into other similar training initiatives prior to hopefully securing employment.

The Group Manager - Wellbeing advised that the Business Plan for B-Leaf/Wood B Project would bring in income as the project would effectively be a business, rather than just a training initiative.  Used as a social enterprise, he added that this would open-up avenues for grant funding and the buying in of places would also allow for a number of income streams to be generated.

A Member asked if the Project could involve individuals with mental health issues as well as people with learning disabilities.

The Group Manager - Wellbeing replied that the B Leaf/Wood B collaboration would primarily be aimed at people with learning disabilities, but in terms of catering for people with mental health problems, there were opportunities to support these people and help them cope more in society including the prospect of gaining employment, through the Arc facility in Bridgend.

In response to a Member’s question, the Group Manager - Wellbeing confirmed that a high percentage of participants in the C.O.A.S.T. Project managed to secure employment opportunities. However, the Authority would have no control over the continued support of these individuals in maintaining employment when this Project soon comes to its end.

The Chairperson concluded debate on this item by commending the Project. 

RESOLVED:         That the Committee noted with pleasure the success of the Project and the information contained in the report, including future ESF funding initiatives.