Purpose

The decision required is that the Cabinet
approve key decisions to secure the ongoing delivery of
grant-funded economic growth programmes to avoid service disruption
to Surrey businesses and residents. The report will also provide a
status update of annualised funded programmes (i.e. Bootcamps and
Career Hub programmes) and other non-contractual obligations.

Content

RESOLVED:
 

That Cabinet notes the progress achieved to date
across Government grant-funded economic programmes in Surrey, and
the principles under which the team is working to secure a
positive way forward through LGR to
address challenges to ongoing successful
delivery. 

That following previous report on Universal Support (Feb 2024),
Cabinet formally endorsed the expansion of the programme, now
branded as Connect to Work, and noted receipt of the increased and
prolonged revenue grant from the DWP, now c£10m in total and
running until March 2030. Cabinet agreed to proceed and resource
the fully funded programme accordingly, and delegated approval to
procure components as/when needed to the Executive Director for
Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways,
Transport and Economic Growth.? 

That Cabinet approves the extension of
the Surrey Growth Hub contract, fully funded by the
Department of Business and Trade. The renewed revenue
allocation for continuation of service is now
a 3-year programme until March 2029 with an average
annual budget of approximately £375k – this paper seeks
approval to proceed and resource the fully funded
programme accordingly, including approval to procure components
as/when needed. ? 

That Cabinet approves the upcoming WorkWell 2.0 3-year
programme, continuing SCC’s role of Lead Accountable Body
following formal mandate from the Integrated Care Board and
constituent authorities across Surrey and Sussex – this paper
seeks approval to proceed as the Accountable Body, receiving c
£11m in revenue funding to run the programme until 2029, and
agree the co-design principles and blended delivery model,
including approval to resource the operation and procure components
as needed.

That Cabinet approves the continuation of Skills
Bootcamps wave 7, running until March 2027 – this paper
seeks approval to receive £1.5m of revenue funding, agree
delivery principles and resource the programme
accordingly.
That Cabinet notes the status update of the other annualised
programmes: Surrey Careers Hub and Made Smarter
Adoption South East, which continue to run until
September 2026 and March 2027 respectively for now
following previous Cabinet approvals, but for which there
is no contractual obligation currently beyond these dates.
 

 
Reasons for
Decisions:
 
The
recommendations are put forward to: 

Ensure Cabinet is updated on progress of economic growth
programmes and is given the opportunity to inform future
delivery. 

Secure approval to receive and deliver economic
growth programmes on behalf of
Government to benefit Surrey businesses and
residents (over £1m threshold).

(The decisions on this
item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways
Select Committee)