Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Aspiration, Schools and Learning seeking approval for receipt of European Social Fund (ESF) grant award to support local people to progress into education, training or sustained employment.

NOTE: This report is submitted for consideration as a general exception under paragraph 15 of the Access to Information procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and the public.

The matter requires a decision due to (a) a delay in receipt of DWP grant approval and (b) the project commencement date of 2^nd June 2019 precedes the next Cabinet meeting scheduled for 18^th June 2019and for these reasons the decision cannot be deferred for inclusion in the next Forward Plan for decision following 28 clear days’ notice.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 18/1923727)

On consideration of the report of the Interim Director for Growth, Cabinet agreed the following:

Having complied with paragraph 15 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

(i)  To delegate authority to the Service Director, Growth to take all actions necessary to accept the grant and deliver the project until September 2021.

(ii)  To accept, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, a grant of £566,583 from the European Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme as match funding towards a total project budget of £1,133,165

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, revenue expenditure of £1,133,165 for the Solent Employment Support project over 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 and the Council’s individual financial contribution of £260,716

(iv)  To approve the Council to act as Accountable Body for the administration of grant funding and Solent Employment Support Project Partnership.