Agenda item

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its three appendices and to make the following resolutions:  

(1)  That the Cabinet approves the continuation of the ChooseWork project for a further three years from March 2017 andthat Chichester District Council continues to support the project by hosting it and part funding it at 30% of the total cost from unspent balances and the unallocated New Homes Bonus.

(2)  That the Economic Development Manager and Partnerships Officer seeks and agrees partnership contributions and match funding towards the balance of the cost of the project.

(3)  That, if there is a shortfall in funding secured from partners, a further report is made to the Cabinet to consider the future of the programme.

(4)  That the Cabinet considers the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in section 8.4 of the report.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the continuation of the ChooseWork project for a further three years from March 2017 and that Chichester District Council continues to support the project by hosting it and part funding it at £25,000 per annum from the remaining unspent allocation of £10,000 from the New Homes Bonus and the remainder to be included in the draft base budget from 2017-2018 be approved.

(2)  That the Economic Development Manager and Partnerships Officer seek and agree partnership contributions and match-funding towards the balance of the cost of the ChooseWork Project be approved.

(3)  That if there is a shortfall in funding secured from partners then a further report be submitted to the Cabinet to consider the future of the ChooseWork programme.

(4)  That having considered the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in para 8.4 of the agenda report the same be duly noted. 

The Cabinet considered the agenda report and its three appendices (copies attached to the official minutes).

The report was introduced by Mrs Lintill.

Mr Oates and Miss Loaring were in attendance.

During a summary of sections 4, 5 and 6 of the report and the case studies on pages 48 and 49 (appendix 3) Mrs Lintill commended the comprehensive report and the very positive success story which it described. The views recently expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were set out in para 8.4 of the report. 

Mrs Lintill announced a proposed resolution that varied from the officers’ recommendation in para 3.1 of the report as follows:

‘That the Cabinet approves the continuation of the ChooseWork project for a further three years from March 2017 and Chichester District Council continues to support the project by hosting it and part funding it at £25,000 per annum from the remaining unspent allocation of £10,000 from the New Homes Bonus and the remainder to be included in the draft base budget from 2017-2108.’  

Mr Oates drew attention to the summary of the successful outputs in appendix 1 and commented on how the project had a beneficial impact on the business community. 

Mr Dignum stated the importance of this project for CDC and he also referred to the very pleasing outcomes set out in appendix 1. He emphasised the importance of being able to gain employment: it brought dignity to people and where someone needed help to obtain a job this project would be very beneficial. It was hoped that other organisations would follow CDC’s lead and contribute financially to enable the programme to its current level.

Mr Finch concurred with Mr Dignum; he praised the report and the very important work being done by this project to help people find work. He enquired if it would be possible for the project to measure the results required by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in order to be sure to secure funding. Miss Loaring advised that CDC officers were already discussing that with the DWP and once it was known what was required CDC officers would endeavour to ensure compliance.

Mr Barrow commended this superb scheme, which demonstrated that CDC was a caring council. He was moved by some of the case studies in appendix 2. He asked what progress had been made in securing partners, what would happen if they were not forthcoming and whether any larger private businesses in the area had been approached. Miss Loaring briefly outlined the present or prospective conversations with CDC officers. Mr Oates explained that although so far no private firms had been approached, a sponsorship scheme was being prepared in some detail in order to discuss contributions of what would amount to relatively small sums for a very important project. Mr Over pointed out that the outcome of an application by CDC to the National Lottery Fund was awaited.         

Decision

The Cabinet resolved unanimously by a show of hands to make the following resolution, which included the alternative version of the recommendation in para 3.1 of the report. 

RESOLVED

(1)  That the continuation of the ChooseWork project for a further three years from March 2017 and that Chichester District Council continues to support the project by hosting it and part funding it at £25,000 per annum from the remaining unspent allocation of £10,000 from the New Homes Bonus and the remainder to be included in the draft base budget from 2017-2018 be approved.

(2)  That the Economic Development Manager and Partnerships Officer seek and agree partnership contributions and match-funding towards the balance of the cost of the ChooseWork Project be approved.

(3)  That if there is a shortfall in funding secured from partners then a further report be submitted to the Cabinet to consider the future of the ChooseWork programme.

(4)  That having considered the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in para 8.4 of the agenda report the same be duly noted.