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Published Delegated Executive Decisions

Welcome. This system contains information about published delegated executive decisions, including exemptions.

Decision Number: 0086 2014/15

Executive Portfolio:
Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Community Safety
Decision Number:
0086 2014/15
Exempt / Confidential Item:
No
Ward(s) Affected:
All Wards
Declarations of Interest Received:
None
Title:
Youth Employment Gateway (YEG)
Summary of Decision:
To accept the YEG offer letter from Knowsley Borough Council and authorise the procurement of a suitable provider in St Helens
Proposed Decision:
To approve the offer letter from Knowsley Council to deliver Stage 1 of the Youth Employment Gateway in St Helens. In order to deliver this programme we will need to procure an outside provider (or providers). Therefore this decision will also provide authority to begin the procurement of that service. A further decision will be required to authorise the appointment of the successful contractor.
Summary of Reason for Decision:
The Youth Employment Gateway is an innovative programme for job seekers living in aged 18-24 years and claiming JSA or Universal Credit.
Reason for Decision:
The Youth Employment Gateway (formerly known as the Youth Contract Underspend) is a Government-funded initiative that will be delivered by Liverpool City Region local authorities in partnership. It begins in October 2014 and will run for 3 years. It is an innovative new programme for job seekers living in the LCR area aged between 18 and 24 years and claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit. The YEG will provide all participants with a range of services, each aimed at moving them one step closer to their employment aspirations. A unique feature of the programme is the availability of funding to pay for goods or services that can help improve the client’s employment prospects. This can include occupational, accredited or non accredited training courses, work related equipment or tools, personal protective equipment (PPE) or uniforms, CRB checks or the cost of travel. This will be done via an individualised or personalised budget, and a key point of the programme is to test the effectiveness of each approach. The global allocation from Government is £5.9m over the programme for the LCR. The St Helens indicative allocation is for £616,615 across the two stages of the programme, of which £200,910 will be for the delivery of Stage 1 of the programme. There is no requirement for Council funds to match the programme. Stage 1 will be funded entirely through YEG. It is envisaged that Stage 2 of the programme, which will bring in fully personalised budgets for clients, will draw down ESF and Youth Employment Initiative match funding to make a global programme total of £13.9m - £1.4m for St Helens for both stages. This will be subject to appropriate competitive bids and Stage 2 will be the subject of a further offer letter once the funding framework is settled. There are clear targets and outcomes within the proposal and implementation plan for the City Region to achieve. Funding across all 6 LA areas has been allocated based on need as per the latest set of employment statistics for the eligible cohort. Alongside, the targets for the programme have been shared out in proportion to the available funding allocation using an agreed unit cost. St Helens' targets for Stage 1 is to engage 131 young people and move 65 into jobs - of which 46 will be into sustainable employment. The full Youth Employment Gateway Programme allocation was paid across to Knowsley Council (as the City Region’s nominated Accountable Body) as a Section 31 Grant in April 2014. Our contract will therefore be with Knowsley. In terms of delivery, as we do not have the staffing infrastructure to directly deliver this service within the Council, the service will have to be procured via open tender.
Risks Associated with this Decision:
Risk of clawback due to one or more of the following: Under-delivery of targets; late start; performance of contractor.
Measures to Redress Risk:
A robust procurement process should enable the most suitable contractor to deliver the scheme. Terms and conditions will, where possible, be passed on to the delivery agent via the tender and contract. The programme will be closely monitored by the Economic Development team, who will work closely both with Finance and also city region colleagues in Knowsley.
Anti Poverty / Human Rights / Agenda 21 Implications:
Attachments:
Please Contact Steve Berlyne - Ext 1750 for more details.