Agenda item

‘Get Britain Working’ is a national initiative from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’ (Nov 2024), seeks to promote higher employment and reduced economic inactivity, whilst supporting individuals to enhance and improve their skills to transition into higher quality jobs.

All areas of England must develop local ‘Get Britain Working’ plans. Dorset Council, as Accountable Body, must deliver the plan across the Dorset Council (DC) and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) geographies in partnership with BCP Council, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

This Cabinet report seeks approval of the draft GD&BCPWP (see Appendix 1) for publication.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a) approved the draft ‘Get Dorset & BCP Working Plan’ (GD&BCPWP) for publication;

(b) delegated authority to the Director, Investment and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations, to undertake any minor changes to the Working Plan that are identified by Cabinet; and

(c) delegated authority to the Director, Investment and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations, to assign any remaining funding from the Government allocation to deliver projects identified in the Plan

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations

Health & Wellbeing

Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

The draft Get Dorset & BCP Working Plan (GD&BCPWP) will enable BCP Council to help address the challenges related to labour market participation and progression. As such, the GD&BCPWP will help deliver the Council’s Corporate Strategy and wider economic and social objectives.

· Skills are continually developed, and people can access lifelong learning

· Employment is available for everyone and helps create value in our communities

· Those who need support receive it when and where they need it

· High quality of life for all, where people can be active, healthy and independent

· Our inclusive, vibrant and sustainable economy supports our communities to thrive

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'K' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that ‘Get Britain Working’ is a national initiative from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and that the ‘Get Britain Working White Paper’ (Nov 2024), seeks to promote higher employment and reduced economic inactivity, whilst supporting individuals to enhance and improve their skills to transition into higher quality jobs.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that all areas of England must develop local ‘Get Britain Working’ plans, and that Dorset Council, as Accountable Body, must deliver the plan across the Dorset Council (DC) and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) geographies in partnership with BCP Council, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Cabinet was advised that the Cabinet report sought approval of the draft GD&BCPWP (see Appendix 1) for publication.

The Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Committee had discussed the report in detail and had resolved to make the following recommendations in support: -

The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the following recommendation to Cabinet on this item:

1) The recommendation as outlined in the report be approved by Cabinet.

2) The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommends that Cabinet agree for the Get Dorset & BCP Working Plan to return to an Overview and Scrutiny Committee at an appropriate stage for further scrutiny, to enable Members to review its delivery, assess its impact in supporting individuals to return to work, and consider whether intended outcomes are being achieved.

(Agreed Unanimously)

The Portfolio Holder thanked Scrutiny for their discussion of this and further to this expressed thanks to all those involved in the plan. Further to this the Portfolio Holder advised that he was more than happy for the report to go back Scrutiny at a future appropriate stage.