This meeting of the Decision Notices committee of Dover Council was scheduled to consider a decision that had already been taken regarding the transfer of funds from the council's Apprenticeship Levy to Laureston House Ltd. The decision was made by Peter Francis, Head of HR, Payroll, Corporate Health & Safety and Corporate Communications, under delegated authority.

Transfer of Apprenticeship Levy Funds to Laureston House Ltd

The meeting was notified of Delegated Decision DD14, which concerned the transfer of £4,000 from Dover District Council's Apprenticeship Levy funds to Laureston House Ltd to fund an apprenticeship.

The report pack noted that the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced under Part 6 of the Finance Act 2016¹. It also noted that:

In December 2024, the Council's Corporate Management Team supported the Head of HR, Payroll, Corporate Health & Safety and Corporate Communications' proposal agreed for the Council to pledge up to 25% of the Council's apprenticeship levy fund to local businesses in the district where:

• a) their purposes align with DDC corporate priorities
• b) to those businesses that offer opportunities to disadvantaged people living in the district
• c) where the funds could address skills shortages in the district
• d) they are seeking to fund apprenticeship qualifications up to Level 4.

Laureston House Ltd reportedly applied for £4,000 of funding over two years to fund a Level 3, 18-month Apprenticeship in Lead Adult Care Work. The report stated that this request aligns with the council's corporate objectives of 'growing our economy' and 'supporting our communities'.

The Director of Finance, the Solicitor to the Council, and the Climate Change Officer were consulted and had no further comments. The Equalities Officer noted that the report did not specifically highlight any equality implications, and reminded members of their duty to comply with the public sector equality duty as set out in Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010².