Decision details

To seek cabinet approval to:

1. Enter into the funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and the Adult Skills Programme during the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
2. Conduct a mini-competition process under the council’s existing Community and Adult Skills framework agreement (which is valid for another 3 years) in respect of 5 call-off contracts for the provision of adult learning services whose contract periods shall be determined according to the type of courses or piece of work required thereunder in the 2023 – 2024 academic year and then to award such call-off contracts.

Cllr Philip Robinson sought Cabinet approval to enter into the funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and the Adult Skills Programme during the 2023 – 2024 academic year. In additional approval was sought to conduct a mini-competition process under the council’s existing Community and Adult Skills framework agreement in respect of 5 call-off contracts for the provision of adult learning services whose contract periods shall be determined according to the type of courses or piece of work required in the 2023 – 2024 academic year and then to award such call-off contracts.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Bus Transport to:

1. Enter into a funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) under which the council shall receive the ESFA funding for the purpose of delivering Community Learning and Adult Skills Programmes during the 2023 – 2024 academic year.

2. Conduct a mini-competition process, under each of the following Lots of the council’s existing Community and Adult Skills Framework Agreement, in respect of 5 call-off contracts for the supply of adult learning programmes:

• First Steps

• Employability

• Adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Difficulties (“ALDD”)

• Steps into Work (Supported Internships)

• Local Flex (Responding to identified/emerging local need)

Each such call-off contract shall continue for a period of 12 months or less, according to the type of courses or piece of work required in the 2023 – 2024 academic year.

3. Award each such Call-Off Contract to the preferred tenderer.