Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 10, 2026

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED: Cabinet; a)     Acknowledged the acceptance of the DfE Skills Bootcamp grant funding of up to £1,500,000 over the period April 2026 to March 2027. b)     Delegated to the Executive Director of Place, Economy and Environment to oversee the procurement processes and contract award of delivery partners of the West Northants Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamp programmes supported by the WNC procurement team.   REASONS RESOLVED: •                     The Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamp programmes provides a significant opportunity to provide funded support to residents across West Northamptonshire who are most in need of support to find employment. This is a tangible opportunity to improve the quality of life and contribute towards our aims in the One West Northamptonshire Plan of having thriving people with a skilled workforce. •                     Delegating procurement and contract award to the Executive Director of Place, Economy and Environment ensures the programmes can be commissioned efficiently, in line with financial regulations and procurement best practice, allowing timely delivery and strong governance of the West Northants Connect to Work and Skills Bootcamp programmes. •                     Consistency with Connect to Work Accountable Body Cabinet report dated 24 June 2025 where by Cabinet noted that the Council is acting as the Accountable Body for the delivery of the Connect to Work programme for the South Midlands region and approved the acceptance of the DWP Connect to Work grant funding of circa £32million over a 5-year programme.   ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: The Employment and Disability Support team in North Northamptonshire have been delivering employment support in Northamptonshire for over 40 years. They are a key partner within the South Midlands Connect to Work programme. Due to their experience of delivery, West Northamptonshire Council has a Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with North Northamptonshire Council’s Employability and Disability Team to deliver 940 Connect to Work starts in West Northamptonshire, and the WNC Resettlement Team is delivering a further 78. This leaves a remaining requirement of 547 starts to meet the Council’s overall target of 1,565. To achieve this, the Council must consider whether to commission specialist additional external delivery partners through a formal procurement process.   The Council does not currently have sufficient internal capacity or existing contracted provision to deliver the remaining 547 starts. Without additional delivery partners, the Council would be unable to meet its contractual obligations, performance targets, and funding requirements.   Accepting the DfE grant funding of up to £1,500,000 allows the Council to bring the success of Skills Bootcamp waves to West Northamptonshire benefitting residents and employers. The programme directly supports the Council’s strategic priorities around economic growth, skills development, and inclusive employment. Declining the funding would result in the loss of significant external investment and reduce the Council’s ability to respond to local labour market needs.   Skills Bootcamps operate on a performance-based funding model, reducing financial risk to the Council and ensuring value for money. Delegated procurement oversight provides assurance that delivery partners are selected through a transparent and competitive process, with clear contractual expectations around outcomes managed through a payment by results / milestones model of payment in line with the funding requirements of DfE.