Agenda and minutes

Welcome to members

a)  Apologies for absence

b)  Introductions

c)  Minutes of the meeting held 8^th June 2010 (Enclosed)

d)  Declarations of Interest – Members of the Partnership should declare any interests in relation to any business on the agenda. Advice for members is attached. (Enclosed)

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

The minutes of the meeting held 8^th June 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

Declarations of Interest:

Councillor Neil Wilson declared a personal interest in item 6c (14-19 report) by virtue of his consultancy role in a 14-19 programme.

Written report to update the Board on labour market, performance and latest welfare to work developments - Derek Harvey, External Relations Manager, Jobcentre Plus.

The Partnership Action Board received a report on the latest labour market performance and welfare to work developments.

The update gave details of:

·  Employment rate – the Employment Rate measurement has changed. NOMIS now includes all 16-24 year olds as working age population;

·  JSA Claims -  18-24 – All Host Boroughs experienced an increase between June and July with Newham experiencing an increase of 80 but an overall reduction of 470 between September 09 and July 10;

·  JSA Claims 25+  – all boroughs experienced a fall in numbers amongst this group between June and July with Newham showing the largest reduction at 95, compared to Greenwich which experienced a fall of only 10 claimants. t;

·  Vacancies – rose by 219 on the previous month, mostly in Newham but with increases in Hackney and Tower Hamlets;

·  Top vacancy occupations – remain elementary, with process related occupations overtaking associate professionals for second place;

·  Job Outcome Target – the achievement for the total number of people supported into employment to date 2009/10 is 7190 after 91% of results are in;

·  Lone Parents – From 25 October 2010 – Lone Parents with a youngest child aged 7 and over making new or repeat claim to Income Support will no longer be entitled;

·  Framework - On 29 June the Government set out the parameters of a commercial framework and is encouraging private, public and voluntary sector organisations to bid to be part of it. Once in the framework, organisations will compete to supply employment support.

·  Work programme - The Work Programme will be an integrated package of support providing personalised help for people who find themselves out of work regardless of the benefit they claim.

In addition to the Work Programme the intention is to introduce a range of additional support options.

The Chair commented that it was good news that vacancies had risen.

The Chair asked about the Graduate scheme. Ray Wilkinson, University of East London responded that they had placed 391 Interns into employment with a significant number being placed into full time employment. Ray Wilkinson added that they aim to secure a 4 week placement but was happy if companies wanted to offer a longer term placement. Ray Wilkinson stated that they were having discussions with a Canary Wharf Company to establish a graduate scheme.

Ray Wilkinson advised the PAB that it was still difficult to place graduates and a number were under employed.  Jo Negrini asked what would happen to young people who failed to get into University but had done well at GCSE and A level.

Diane Gowland, Newham College of Further Education informed the PAB that the college were offering a broader programme of support around pathways into higher education.

The Chair suggested that a Sub-Group be set up to look at Graduate initiatives. Ray Wilkinson; Diane Gowland; Margaret Almond and Jo Negrini volunteered to serve on the Sub-Group.

Jo Negrini advised the Partnership Action Board that the 5 Host Boroughs had submitted an expression of interest to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3a – Training Partnership – Margaret Almond

3b – 14 -19 Report – John Douglas

The Partnership Action Board considered updates from partners as follows:

Training Partnership minutes – Margaret Almond, Access to Jobs Team Leader presented a report setting out the minutes from the Training Partnership meeting held in June 2010.

The meeting held 4th June received a presentation on Retail Works from Skillsmart Retail.

The Training Partnership was also advised of a number of retail training courses aimed to get people into the retail trade.

LOCOG are working with the Host Boroughs to maximise local employment opportunities for local people.

14-19 Reform update – John Douglas, Head of Economic Wellbeing and 14-19 Strategy presented a report which updated the Partnership Action Board of the 14-19 education and training reform developments in Newham.

John Douglas advised the Partnership Action Board that there were significant changes in government policy regarding education, training and 14-19 reform.

The 14-19 Partnership would be:

·  Reviewing the first two years of delivering Diploma programmes and the performance of students engaged in these.

·  Further strengthening / perfecting its delivery of Diplomas, other area-wide applied and vocational courses and the co-ordination of partnership working around 14-19 developments. 

·  Assisting schools and colleges to deliver:

·  Functional Skills qualifications;

·  more personalised learning programmes for students working at Entry Level and Level 1 (Foundation Learning);

·  more effective CE-IAG (careers education, information advice and guidance);

·  wider work-related learning opportunities to support CE-IAG and employability skills.

·  Planning for the future, particularly with regard to:

·  the education and training courses and provision the Partnership will be offering young people;

·  the Partnership arrangements this will require and how co-ordination of such partnership working will be funded.

John Douglas stated that GCSE results had improved further with a number of schools doing very well. The Chair commented that there were some schools where achievement in GCSEs had gone down and wondered why. John Douglas stated that annual practice was to review all performance with individual schools. In relation to the new Diploma courses, a number of pupils passed the diploma aspects of their learning but fell down on functional skills. Full analysis of Diploma performance and impact will follow.

Jo Negrini commented that there was a need to co-ordinate work around approaching different businesses for a ‘Newham offer’. John Douglas advised the Partnership Action Board that when the diplomas first came on board regular meetings were held with different organisations and everyone was aware of each others demands. John added that these meetings proved valuable. The Chair suggested that the meetings be resurrected.

Decision

The Partnership Action Board agreed:

i)  to note the partnership updates; and

ii)  that officers reinstate network meetings with organisations working in Newham for whom employer engagement is a key goal, to discuss a Newham ‘portfolio’ approach.

Presentation on the Retail Academy from Paul Johnson, Seetec.

The Partnership Action Board received a presentation on the Retail Academy from Paul Johnson of Seetec.

Jane Sherwood, Economic Regeneration Manager advised the Partnership Action Board that the initial concept of the Retail Academy arose out of Section 106 negotiations. It was agreed to maximise local people into work by training people into jobs. Seetec were appointed as a result of partnership discussions and have the lease with Westfield.

The presentation covered:

·  An overview of Seetec:

o  Established 1984 as an ITeC

o  26 years employment related services experience

o  Top Tier DWP Provider

o  Large Provider of SFA programmes

·  Stratford City

·  The Academy location

·  Layout

·  The Retail suite of qualifications

·  The Hospitality and Leisure Suite of Qualifications

·  The Support Services Suite of qualifications

·  Other courses

o  Short courses

o  Professional Master Classes

o  Pre-employment training

In response to questions from members concerning how the Retail Academy would be marketed to residents Paul stated that Westfield would send out a newsletter to all Newham residents.

Paul Johnson advised the Partnership Action Board that the focus would be on recruiting Newham residents.

John Douglas commented that despite extensive advertising the Retail Diploma was not taken up as they would have liked. Convincing parent-carers and school staff that such courses are valuable and worthwhile remains a key task. Paul Johnson stated that invitations would be sent out for retail challenge days and it was hoped to get a better take up.

Paul advised the Partnership Action Board that site visits to the Academy site would be taking place on 21^st, 24^th and 28^th September to which all would be welcome. Paul added that members should let Margaret Almond know if they wished to attend.

The Chair thanked Paul for the presentation and invited him to come back in a couple of month’s time with an update. Paul stated that he would be happy to do so. Paul informed the Partnership Action Board that he produced a progress report which he would be happy to share with the partnership board.

Decision

The Partnership Action Board agreed:

i)  to note the presentation

ii)  to receive an update on the Retail Academy at a future meeting

iii)  that a progress report would be sent to all members

Liam Kane, ELBA will give an update on the Mayor’s Partnership meeting held 29^th July 2010.

The Chair advised the Partnership Action Board that the Mayor had met partners to discuss what the partnership was doing and whether they could do better. The Chair asked whether everyone had been consulted. Margaret Almond, Access to Jobs Team Leader stated that everyone’s ideas had been incorporated into the report which is being developed following the meeting..

Jo Negrini informed the Partnership Action Board that the above report is currently being negotiated with the Mayor. The Chair requested that the final draft is provided to this EEPAB for further consultation. 

Jo added that a number of ideas had been incorporated into the Economic Development Strategy which would be presented to Cabinet in October.

Report from Zoe Qureshi, LBN.

James Anderton, Performance Manager presented this report which outlined the latest performance indicators for which the Partnership Action Board is responsible. There are 5 indicators within the Business Growth and Access to jobs theme.

The report outlined performance issues on the following National Indicators:

NI151 - Overall Employment Rate - The latest data released in August 2010 shows that the employment rate in Newham has improved since the last quarterly update despite no change in the London average and a slight reduction nationally (-0.4%).

NI152 - Working age people on out of work benefits

Data reported here has been calculated manually from raw data available from NOMIS.

NI161 - Learners achieving a Level 1 qualification in literacy

Recently published 08/09 data from CLG shows that 3,989 qualifications in level 1 literacy were successfully achieved by Newham residents. 

NI 163 - Working age population qualified to at least level 2 or higher

The latest data released for 2009 shows that 43.4% of Newham residents were qualified to level 2, a slight reduction on the 2008 outturn of 45.5%. 

The report also set out proxy indicators around employment activity.

Decision

The Partnership Action Board noted the report

Olympic Park Legacy Company – Rosie Holcroft

The Partnership Action Board noted the forward plan and that a further report on Employment and mental health services users would be presented to a future meeting.

Jo Negrini, Divisional Director Strategy informed the Partnership Action Board that a number of London Partnerships were working together to develop an expression of interest for a Local Enterprise Partnership.

Thames Gateway London Partnership and the five Host Boroughs had submitted a letter of intent.

The Chair asked that the Partnership Action Board be kept informed of any progress.

Diane Gowland advised the Partnership Action Board that Newham College of Further education are recruiting 15 apprentices within hospitality, catering, sport and Leisure.

Diane also suggested that the Partnership Action Board receive a presentation from Crossrail. Jane Sherwood stated that it would be arranged. 

The next meeting is on Tuesday 7^th December 2010

The Partnership Action Board noted that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday 7^th December 2010.