Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all those present to the meeting, with a particularly warm welcome extended to guest speakers, representatives from the DWP and Rand Farm.

It was with much sadness, that the Chairman advised, that earlier that day, Members had been made aware of the passing of their former colleague and friend to many, Mr Alan Caine.

Mr Caine had served on the Council for 20 years and had been the District Chairman and Chairman of this Committee previously. 

As a mark of respect for their colleague, the Committee joined the Chairman and Officers in a minute’s silence.

Meeting of the Challenge and Improvement Committee held on 20 December 2016

(a)     Meeting of the Challenge and Improvement Committee held on 20 December 2016.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Challenge and Improvement Committee held on 20 December 2016be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this point in the meeting.

Matters arising schedule setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 13 February 2017.

The Committee gave consideration to the Matters Arising Schedule, setting out the current position of previously agreed actions, as at 13 February 2017.

RESOLVED that the Matters Arising Schedule as at 13 February 2017 be received and noted.

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee will have the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the local DWP Office.

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee had the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the DWP regarding the support they offered young people in finding employment and the links they had with other partners such as employers, schools and colleges. Mr Graham Metcalf was in attendance to answer the Committee’s previously prepared questions, by way of presentation and a period of supplementary questioning.

The questions which had been posed were as follows: -

1. How widespread is the issue of youth unemployment across the District?

2. What are the main contributory factors that cause youth unemployment in our District and what steps does the DWP take to address these?

3. What support does the DWP provide to support young people to actively engage in education/training and how is the effectiveness of any support evaluated?

4. What links does the DWP have to local schools/colleges to promote further education and/or training and what steps are taken to target those at highest risk of failing to take up opportunities?

5. How effective are the links the DWP have with employers in identifying suitable candidates for employment/training/apprenticeship opportunities?

6. Does the DWP assess the ‘sustainability of employment’ for young people and what are the main causes of young people not securing long-term employment? 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Graham Metcalf to the meeting and invited him to make his presentation to Members. 

Mr Metcalf provided the Committee with a raft of statistical data and indicators to demonstrate the issue of youth employment in the town of Gainsborough when compared with its comparator group.  Currently 23.8% of all claimants fell within the 18-24 age bracket.

Inexperience and a poor stateof readiness were considered some of the main contributory factors that caused youth unemployment.  In response to this the DWP offered employability training and provision.  They had up to 30 local employers offering work experience placements in Retail, Hospitality, Logistics andBusiness Support.  They participated in area reviews,consultations and were active members of the GLEP andEmployment andSkills Board.  DWP were also undertaking work in the local Academy, engaging young people offering impartialadvice ontraineeships and apprenticeships.

Regarding links to schools and colleges and work undertaken to promote further education and/or training, Mr Metcalf advised the college was one of their delivery partners.  They offered C.V.Workshops, PresentationSkills and CSRopportunities.  A school adviser had been recentlyappointed topro-actively engage with young peoplearound MockInterviews.  A partnership approach was deployed in respect of the strategy for NEETS and this was driven through the Employment and Skills Board.

Ultimately if young people refused to engage, sanctions were applied to any monies they were entitled to.

Members asked a number of questions of Mr Metcalf, in response they were advised that job seekers were expected to commit up to 35 hours per week towards looking for a job.  They were required to attend Job Club, they were appointed a mentor making the help offered on a more individual basis and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee will have the opportunity to scrutinise the work of a selection of local employers across the District

In connection with the Committee’s ongoing theme of Youth Unemployment, the Committee had the opportunity to scrutinise the work of a selection of local employers from across the District regarding the employment of young people and barriers experienced. Unfortunately representatives from Eminox had had to withdraw at a very late stage, and apologies were offered to Members for this. However, Mr Richard Waring and Mr Joshua Waring of Rand Farm Park were in attendance to answer the Committee’s previously prepared questions, by way of presentation and a period of supplementary questioning.

The questions which had been posed were as follows: -

1. How ‘work-ready’ do you feel the local youth employment market is? What issues exist and what liaison mechanisms exist for concerns to be raised with local schools/colleges/training providers?

2. What skills gaps exist and how do you think they could/should be addressed?

3. Do any barriers exist which prevent you from offering employment/training/apprenticeships for young people and what could be done to remove any such barriers?

4.    What links do you have with schools, colleges, training providers and the DWP to promote employment opportunities or express issues you may have in respect of filling vacancies?

5.  What role could the Council play in addressing the issues you face? 

The Chairman welcomed Mr Joshua Waring to the meeting and invited him to make his presentation to Members.  Mr Waring made the following statement to the Committee: -

Good evening: My name is Joshua Waring and I am here on behalf of Rand Farm Park.

“You've heard from education providers and have now decided to seek the opinion of local employers. We bridge that gap; not only do we employ 55 full and part time staff in various departments across our business, we also provide NVQ level training for up to 72 students per year in conjunction with Lincoln College. Our business is very much education based and attracts students from across West Lindsey and beyond. Further to this, we welcome around 3,000 residential pupils a year to stay on our farm to learn about food, farming and the environment.

During recent recruitment campaigns, we have struggled to fill our skilled positions namely in animal and farm management and our catering department. The applicants, despite having extensive experience often lack the qualifications to back up their practical ability. Perhaps the most concerning issue is the age of these applicants. There are many older candidates who have amassed relevant qualifications during a lengthy career but rarely a clutch of fresh-faced graduates who possess the required qualifications, relevant practical knowledge and the desire to start their career with us. We have even advertised directly in further education centres but still without success.

The obvious question is therefore: were we willing to remunerate applicants sufficiently? Although we never disclose salaries in our adverts, we frequently state that salary will not be a barrier to the right person and at present, we have employees who are earning up to £30,000 per year - a substantial sum considering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Members gave consideration to the third of the newly styled Progress and Delivery reports for 2016/17.

The report dealt with the progress and delivery of projects which were aimed at the delivery of the Corporate Plan. This report highlighted those projects that had entered the delivery stage and were either off track or at risk of not delivering.  The report also dealt with the progress and delivery of the services the council provided. It was an “exceptions” report and dealt with those services which were either performing above the required level or were below the target set for them. The report further provided Members with a summary of activity across services.

It was noted that the report had previously been considered by both the Prosperous Communities Committee and the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and Members were provided with the minute arising from each.

The Committee were asked to examine the responses given to the report by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and the Prosperous Communities Committee and assure themselves that the appropriate level of challenge was being made by those Committees to the information contained in the report.

No comments were made nor any concerns raised and on that basis it was

RESOLVED that having examined the responses given to the report by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee and the Prosperous Communities Committee, the Committee have assurance that the appropriate level of challenge is being made by those committees to the information contained within the report.

The Director of Resources, as Lead Officer for the Committee, presented a report setting out the items of business due to be considered through the committee system and asked Members to identify any reports that they wished to be brought before the Challenge and Improvement Committee for pre-scrutiny.

No reports were identified.

However, comments were made regarding a recent press announcement to roll out additional services at a number of Lincolnshire hospitals.  These did not include Gainsborough’s John Coupland.  Improved health services were vital if the town was to grow.  It was suggested that these comments be fed through to the recently established Health Commission.

     RESOLVED that:

(a)        the Forward Plan be noted; and

(b)       the Committee’s comments detailed above, be brought to the attention of the Health Commission for their consideration.

The Work Plan for the business of the Challenge and Improvement Committee was presented.

     RESOLVED that the Work Plan be noted.

The Committee placed on record their thanks to Mr Knowles who had been Lead Officer for the Committee over the last few years.  Mr Sturgess would be taking on the role going forward.