Issue - meetings

This report recommends the creation of a time-limited Dorset Skills Commission to oversee an ‘at pace’ response to critical skills issues that have been identified from recent economic research.  These require an urgent response if the area is to achieve its economic ambitions and level up our economy.  The Commission will be tasked with reporting back on its findings to a future Cabinet meeting in 2022/23. 

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report recommends the creation of a time-limited Dorset Skills Commission to oversee an ‘at pace’ response to critical skills issues that have been identified from recent economic research.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that these require an urgent response if the area is to achieve its economic ambitions and level up our economy.  The Commission will be tasked with reporting back on its findings to a future Cabinet meeting in 2022/23. 

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet supports the creation of a Dorset Skills Commission between November 2021 and September 2022;

(b)           For this Commission to facilitate the skills delivery needed for an effective and at pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery and levelling up across Dorset;

(c)           the Commission undertakes a review into the Dorset skills landscape – with a particular consideration of the National Skills White Paper, and the levelling up agenda, producing a report that lays out a potential skills journey and opportunities/needs based on 10, 20 and 30-years trajectories;

(d)           the Commission works closely with the Dorset Skills Board and Panel to support immediate implementation of the wider skills priorities within the agreed Dorset Skills Plan and Dorset Investment Prospectus;

(e)           the Director – Economic Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Covid resilience, Schools and Skills, and the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning, be given delegated authority to agree with Dorset Council and Dorset LEP the governance and membership of the Commission for inclusion in the Terms of Reference.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

                               Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

Reason

The establishment of a dedicated Commission will oversee an effective and at pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery and contribute to the levelling up of the economy. It would also provide an objective and independent review of the future Dorset Skills landscape, helping to shape a world-class skills and learning infrastructure for all communities, and helping to inform actions in the Brighter Futures and Dynamic Places sections of the Council’s corporate plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the report recommends the creation of a time-limited Dorset Skills Commission to oversee an ‘at pace’ response to critical skills issues that have been identified from recent economic research.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that these require an urgent response if the area is to achieve its economic ambitions and level up our economy.  The Commission will be tasked with reporting back on its findings to a future Cabinet meeting in 2022/23. 

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet supports the creation of a Dorset Skills Commission between November 2021 and September 2022;

(b)           For this Commission to facilitate the skills delivery needed for an effective and at pace response to a jobs-led approach to COVID-19 economic recovery and levelling up across Dorset;

(c)           the Commission undertakes a review into the Dorset skills landscape – with a particular consideration of the National Skills White Paper, and the levelling up agenda, producing a report that lays out a potential skills journey and opportunities/needs based on 10, 20 and 30-years trajectories;

(d)           the Commission works closely with the Dorset Skills Board and Panel to support immediate implementation of the wider skills priorities within the agreed Dorset Skills Plan and Dorset Investment Prospectus;

(e)           the Director – Economic Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Covid resilience, Schools and Skills, and the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning, be given delegated authority to agree with Dorset Council and Dorset LEP the governance and membership of the Commission for inclusion in the Terms of Reference.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

                               Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education

To consider the Levelling Up - Creating a Skills Commission report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 27 October 2021.

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise and comment on the report and if required make recommendations or observations as appropriate.

Cabinet members invited to attend for this item: Councillor Nicola Greene, Portfolio Holder for Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills and Councillor Phil Broadhead, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

The Cabinet report for this item is included with the agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Portfolio Holders for both Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and Covid Resilience, Schools and Skills presented a joint report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Portfolio Holders responded to Board Members’ comments and requests for clarification, details included: 

• The purpose of this proposal was to create an independent commission, and it was not intended to be what might normally be described as a ‘business as usual’ panel of people as this would likely not work. It was highlighted that the panel would need to be drawn from the right talent pool and this was what the council needed to figure out before it can be actioned. It was acknowledged that this may seem a bit “chicken and egg” to some and that there would need to be a call for evidence which was where it would be useful for members to come forward. One of the key ambitions was to ensure that this was about inclusion as well as levelling up.
• Government Funding, in the form of Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) usually came with restrictions and a large amount had directed been towards skills, to which many businesses and charities had benefitted from. There was already a lot of work being undertaken in this area, but it just needed some extra co-ordination and therefore it was felt that a commission, rather than a strategy was needed to achieve the desired outcome. Working with partner agencies was key to putting achieving this and it was highlighted that the effort and resources already out there and that it all just needed to be brought together.
• The onset of the Covid pandemic had delayed work on this project, but had also provided some great insights. The theory behind this was that this was done every so often rather than as a constant and that all sectors would be approached, including the Bournemouth and Poole College.
• There was no need to reinvent the wheel when undertaking this work and it was more about identifying gaps in sectors, which was traditionally what commissions were good at.
• Whilst this project was hoped to conclude by September 2022 to ensure that focus was maintained, this would be flexible and therefore, if the timescale needed to be extended then it would be. A lot of work had already been undertaken behind the scenes with partners.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holders and officers for their clarifications.