Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Education and Early Years, which advised Members that Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) was presently working with each of the ten local authorities to determine how devolved funding was to operate. This activity was taking place with teams across the Council and had implications for various services and choices that the Council will want to make. This was part of the latest devolution deal and included an integrated settlement that allowed GMCA to prioritise areas of activity to deliver the GM Strategy and constituent policies, including Get GM Working, Live Well and Local Growth Plans.

This report specifically related to an initial tranche of Integrated Settlement (IS) funding that was being allocated for Education, Work and Skills via the GMCA and the position known to officers at the time of writing.

The report outlines the funding confirmed to Oldham from GMCA at this stage for extensions to three projects currently being funded in the Oldham area.

Request to accept the funding and permission to extend associated contracts for additional Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) support (forms part of Targeted Specialist Services and Support (TSSS) contract), year 2 of economic inactivity trailblazer funding and associated projects and WorkWell Vanguard for the financial year 2026/2027.

Advising members that GMCA have made the decision to cease funding a fixed term post, in addition to the IS.  GMCA suggest that the post is continued to be funded by this current allocation, if Local Authority’s (LA’s) choose to do so.

The report outlines the proposal for the allocation of the funding, and the intention of Officers to primarily secure the associated posts within the education, work and skills delivery teams that have been affected by the move across to the IS and the decisions GMCA have made in relation to the level of funding and allocations.  The delivery teams affected are Action Together, Get Oldham Working, Positive Steps and Post 16 Service.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 (preferred Option):  To accept the extension to the funding up to 31 March 2027 and continue to deliver the three projects and adjust the funding to secure the internal post.  This option secures additional support for residents in Oldham that is not funded by Council funding.

Option 2:  To decline the extension to funding up to 31 March 2027.   This option effectively removes existing provision, resource and support for residents

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet accept the additional funding to deliver the extensions to the three schemes, namely NEET support, Trailblazer and WorkWell Vanguard, and the proposed use of the funds that support Oldham residents.

2.    That the Cabinet agrees to sign the grant funding agreement issued by GMCA.

3.    That the Cabinet agrees that each of the three funds bear the cost of the Education, Work and Skills Co-ordinator post previously funded by GMCA.

4.    That the Cabinet notes the change to grant funding mechanism for education, work and skills funding via the GM Integrated Settlement.