The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority - Employment and Skills Board was scheduled to discuss the implementation of the Adult Skills Fund, an updated Careers Action Plan, and the devolution of Post-16 Capacity Funding. The meeting's agenda also included a confidential item regarding the Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Implementation of the Adult Skills Fund

The Board was scheduled to receive a report outlining an approach for the day-to-day management of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), which includes the Free Courses for Jobs Fund. The report detailed plans for allocating the £18,281,164 budget for August 2026 to July 2027. The proposed allocation method for grant-funded providers was based on historic splits from the 2024/25 allocations, with a 5% uplift. This approach aims to ensure that grant-funded providers are not negatively impacted by a recent 6% funding cut from the Department for Education and to provide additional funding for increased demand. The report also recommended approving the un-ringfencing of allocated funding to grant-funded providers, allowing them greater flexibility to deliver higher levels of training where demand exists. This freedom would enable organisations to move budgets between different funding streams, such as from tailored learning to the Adult Skills Fund, or from the Adult Skills Fund to Free Courses for Jobs, without requiring immediate approval from the Combined County Authority. This is intended to speed up decision-making and improve responsiveness to employer and learner needs.

Careers Action Plan

A report was scheduled to be presented to the Board regarding an updated Careers Action Plan. This plan was initially developed by officers from North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire County Council in preparation for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA). The report highlighted changes in local and national activity that necessitated an update to the original plan. It noted that Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is a crucial element of the GLCCA's devolution proposal, aiming to ensure a more place-based and industry-led approach for both adults and young people. The report also detailed upcoming changes to the National Careers Service, which is set to merge with Jobcentre Plus to form a single, integrated Jobs and Careers Service under the Department for Work and Pensions from October 2026. The Board was asked to note these changes and to agree that the GLCCA use its convening powers to bring together local stakeholders to lead on local careers services, ensuring consistent and accessible information about jobs and career pathways.

Post-16 Capacity Funding

The Board was scheduled to receive a briefing on the devolution of the Post-16 Capacity Capital Fund and the new role of the Authority in managing it. This fund, previously managed by the Department for Education (DfE), aims to provide sufficient capacity for 16 to 19-year-olds to learn, primarily supporting teaching space in statutory providers such as further education colleges, sixth form colleges, and 16-19 academies. The devolution is expected to occur once the Devolution Bill passes through parliament, anticipated in May 2026. The Authority is expected to receive approximately £9,970,417 in capital grant funding from 2026/27 until 2029/30. The report indicated that officers would engage with colleges to prepare a fair and transparent process for allocating these capital funds once devolved. The Board was asked to note the details of the fund and the powers expected to be devolved, and to delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Mayor, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the DfE.

Local Skills Improvement Plan

A confidential report was scheduled to be presented concerning the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP). This item was not circulated to the press and public as it contained information supplied by a Government department under terms prohibiting its disclosure. The report was expected to provide an update on the development of the LSIP and invite comments on the draft plan.