Decision

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

i)               Approves the proposed delivery model for the Additional Skills Fund allocation for the academic year 2026- 2027 including the procurement of relevant contracts with external adult skills providers.

ii)             Delegates authority to the Director, Communities and Leisure in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities to take any actions necessary to commission funding agreements / contracts and deliver the programme.

Reasons for Recommendations: The Council will be able to:

•  Benefit from valuable opportunity to expand the Adult Learning service in terms of its reach to new learners.

•  Support more local residents to gain qualifications and skills that improve their employability, progression and life opportunities which will in turn have an positive impact on the wider North Northamptonshire economy.

•  Maximise the impact of the additional funding, support learners and communities, and secure delivery that is aligned with both strategic goals and statutory responsibilities.

•  Mobilise the additional courses quickly ahead of the academic year 2026 2027

•  Provide sound evidence base ahead of any future devolution of adult skills funding

Alternative Options Considered: The alternative option would be to not be part of the Pilot to Devolution programme. This is not recommended as it would not provide the opportunity to support more residents nor would it help the Council prepare for any future devolution of the adult skills funding. Consideration has been given to delivery all in-house or via commissioning of a single or multiple training providers as set out in section 5 of the report.