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Skills Committee - Monday, 14th September, 2026 10.00 am
September 14, 2026 at 10:00 am Skills Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Skills Committee met on Monday 14 September 2026 to discuss the Adult Skills Commissioning Strategy, review next steps for adult skills funding, and consider the emerging Youth Employment and Participation Strategy. The committee also received updates on the budget, the Skills Board, and the committee's work programme.
Adult Skills Commissioning Strategy 2025-2028 (Revised August 2026)
The committee considered a revised Adult Skills Commissioning Strategy for 2025-2028. The strategy aims to provide a framework for commissioning devolved adult skills funding, including the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), and Skills Bootcamps. A key proposal was to endorse the continued use of a blended commissioning model, combining Grant Funding Agreements and Contracts for Services, and to ordinarily award contracts for up to three years to provide greater stability for providers. The committee recommended that the Combined Authority Board approve the revised strategy, endorse the blended commissioning model, and approve the intention to award three-year contracts where feasible. Authority was also delegated to the Assistant Director for Skills & Employment to implement the strategy.
Adult Skills Funding Review Next Steps
Following the Adult Skills Funding Review, the committee was asked to endorse a programme of four thematic deep dives: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Destinations and Progression, Tailored Learning, and Alignment of Adult Skills Provision with Priority Sectors. It was agreed that the findings from these deep dives would inform future amendments to the Adult Skills Commissioning Strategy, funding rules, performance management frameworks, and strategic investment priorities. Social and economic implications were to be included in all deep dives.
Youth Employment and Participation Strategy (14-25): Emerging Strategic Direction and Progress Update
An update was provided on the development of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Employment and Participation Strategy (14-25). The strategy, previously known as the Youth Employment / NEET Strategy, has evolved to focus on participation
to encompass a broader range of factors influencing young people's engagement, including health, wellbeing, and access to opportunities. The emerging strategic direction includes a vision of Growing meaningful opportunities that enable young people and our region to thrive together, with every young person connected to opportunity,
supported by three pillars: Strong Foundations, Connected Pathways, and Growing Opportunity. The committee noted the progress made, the emerging strategic direction, and the proposed next steps, which include further stakeholder engagement and refinement of the delivery framework.
Budget & Performance Report
The committee received an update on the financial position of the Skills Division for the financial year 2026/27 up to June 2026. Income received was £16.1 million, representing 60% of the overall budget. Revenue expenditure was £165,000 lower than budgeted, and there had been no capital expenditure to date, with the forecast for the full year remaining in line with the budget.
Skills Board Update
Charlotte Horobin, Chair of the Skills Board, provided an update on the board's meeting held on 3rd September 2026. Key discussions included a policy update on the implications of devolution, an overview of emerging sector Jobs Plans from Skills England, and progress on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) implementation. Updates were also given on Skills Bootcamps, with a focus on employer demand and the move towards three-year commissioning arrangements. The committee received the actions and notes from the Skills Board meeting.
Skills Committee Work Programme
The committee noted its work programme for the upcoming municipal year.
The meeting also included the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting, noting the forward plan, and receiving the Director's Highlight Report. Councillor Mike Davey declared an interest as a Director of Cambridgeshire United Football Club. No public questions were received. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Monday 9 November 2026.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Public Questions
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided on 14/09/2026 that the outcome was Information Only. No public questions were received.
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Budget & Performance Report
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority decided to note the financial position of the Skills Division for the financial year 2026/27 to June 2026 on 14 September 2026. The committee noted income of £16.1m, which is 60% of the overall budget, and expenditure that was £165k lower than budget to date.
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Declaration of Interests
Information OnlySkills Committee decided to record information only on 14/09/2026. Councillor Davey declared an interest as Director of Cambridgeshire United Football Club.
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Date of Next Meeting
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided on 14 September 2026 that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday 9 November 2026 at 10am in the CPCA Meeting Room, Pathfinder House PE29 3TN.
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Forward Plan
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided to note the CPCA's Forward Plan for September 2026. This was recorded on 14/09/2026.
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Minutes of the previous meeting
Recommendations ApprovedThe Skills Committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 June 2026. The Committee also noted the Action Log.
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Work Programme
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Council decided to note the Skills Committee Work Programme on 14 September 2026.
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Skills Board Update
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee received the Actions & Notes of the Skills Board meeting held on 3rd September 2026. This decision was recorded on 14/09/2026. The committee agreed to receive the information.
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Adult Skills Funding Review Next Steps
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority approved recommendations for the Adult Skills Funding Review on 14 September 2026. The committee endorsed a programme of four thematic deep dives into ESOL, Destinations and Progression, Tailored Learning, and Alignment of Adult Skills Provision with Priority Sectors. The findings will inform amendments to the Adult Skills Commissioning Strategy, funding rules, performance frameworks, and future investment priorities.
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Youth Employment and Participation Strategy (14-25): Emerging Strategic Direction and Progress Update
Information OnlyThe Skills Committee of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority approved recommendations on 14 September 2026. They noted progress on the Youth Employment and Participation Strategy, its emerging strategic direction, and proposed next steps including further stakeholder engagement and strategy refinement.
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