Agenda item

This Council regrets that the Coalition Government did not do more to encourage skills development in its recent budget in order to promote economic recovery and social justice.

Council notes with deep concern the poor performance of the Government’s Work Programme, which resulted in only 3.6% of people referred to the Programme moved into work – less than the DWP’s own estimation of the number of people who would have found work if the Programme did not exist.

It is with disappointment that Members also recognise this comes on top of the Government’s extensive welfare change programme, compounding the economic misery of households currently struggling with unemployment in very difficult economic circumstances.

Council acknowledges that local action has been taken, and resources invested, to limit the cumulative impact on vulnerable households of multiple changes to the welfare system.

Leeds City Council has also already demonstrated its commitment to innovative partnership working within employment and skills, as exemplified by the Apprenticeship Training Agency and a range of activities including pre-employment support.

In order to enable the Council to now make meaningful progress in tackling poverty locally, members urge Government to devolve the delivery of work-orientated training and welfare support to local authorities.

Council instructs officers to bring a paper to the Executive Board outlining how the Council could deliver locally-tailored welfare support while also supporting jobseekers back to work. 

Council also instructs the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds MPs asking for their support in making the case to Government to devolve employment support to the local authority.

A OGILVIE

It was moved by Councillor Ogilvie, seconded by Councillor Mitchell, that this Council regrets that the Coalition Government did not do more to encourage skills development in its recent budget in order to promote economic recovery and social justice.

Council notes with deep concern the poor performance of the Government’s Work Programme, which resulted in only 3.6% of people referred to the Programme moved into work – less than the DWP’s own estimation of the number of people who would have found work if the Programme did not exist. 

It is with disappointment that Members also recognise this comes on top of the Government’s extensive welfare change programme, compounding the economic misery of households currently struggling with unemployment in very difficult economic circumstances.

Council acknowledges that local action has been taken, and resources invested, to limit the cumulative impact on vulnerable households of multiple changes to the welfare system.

Leeds City Council has also already demonstrated its commitment to innovative partnership working within employment and skills, as exemplified by the Apprenticeship Training Agency and a range of activities including pre-employment support.

In order to enable the Council to now make meaningful progress in tackling poverty locally, members urge Government to devolve the delivery of work-orientated training and welfare support to local authorities.

Council instructs officers to bring a paper to the Executive Board outlining how the Council could deliver locally-tailored welfare support while also supporting jobseekers back to work. 

Council also instructs the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds MPs asking for their support in making the case to Government to devolve employment support to the local authority.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Campbell, to delete first five paragraphs and replace with:

‘Council welcomes the diverse approach that has come from central government to help promote economic recovery and in particular the funding provided through the City Deal to help the Leeds City Region deliver its skills agenda.

However, Council expresses concern that the Labour administration has not fully risen to the opportunities presented by central government and notes the slow rate of progress that it is making with the Apprenticeship Training Agency.

Concerns were raised about this complacency at the meeting of full council in February and the administration was presented with the opportunity to create roles for locally based business engagement officers to work with local businesses to boost economic output and job opportunities.  It is unfortunate that this idea was not supported by full Council as it would have provided the opportunity for the Council to improve its so far dismal record on engaging with SMEs to provide apprenticeships for young people.’

Replace ‘now make meaningful progress in tackling poverty’ and replace with ‘boost skills’.

Amended motion would read:-

‘Council welcomes the diverse approach that has come from central government to help promote economic recovery and in particular the funding provided through the City Deal to help the Leeds City Region deliver its skills agenda.

However, Council expresses concern that the Labour administration has not fully risen to the opportunities presented by central government and notes the slow rate of progress that it is making with the Apprenticeship Training Agency.

Concerns were raised about this complacency at the meeting of full council in February and the administration was presented with the opportunity to create roles for locally based business engagement officers to work with local businesses to boost economic output and job opportunities.  It is unfortunate that this idea was not supported by full Council as it would have provided the opportunity for the Council to improve its so far dismal record on engaging with SMEs to provide apprenticeships for young people.’

In order to enable the Council to boost skills locally, Members urge Government to devolve the delivery of work-orientated training and welfare support to local authorities.

Council instructs officers to bring a paper to the Executive Board outlining how the Council could deliver locally-tailored welfare support while also supporting jobseekers back to work. 

Council also instructs the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds MPs asking for their support in making the case to Government to devolve employment support to the local authority.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor G Latty, to delete all after ‘This Council regrets’ and replace with:

‘the failure of the previous government to introduce any coherent policies to tackle youth unemployment and its failure to deliver training and employment opportunities to the long term unemployed despite benefiting from a period of economic stability that is not replicated today.

This Council notes the disappointing performance by the current Leeds City Council administration against its own targets and priorities contained in the City Priority Plan and Council Business Plan, particularly with regard to supporting people to improve skills and move into jobs and driving sustainable growth in the Leeds economy.

This Council further notes that since 2010 national unemployment rates have fallen and private sector employment has increased in line with the Government priority to re-balance the economy by supporting job growth in the private sector.

Council applauds the Government for agreeing to the City Deal agenda not just in West Yorkshire but nationally.  The opportunity this offers to local authorities to have greater autonomy and deliver local priorities is unprecedented and could introduce a range of exciting new opportunities for the skills agenda in Leeds, as highlighted by the new Apprenticeship Training Agency.

This Council believes that stronger partnership with the private sector will deliver improved outcomes and more opportunities for young people in Leeds.  Council therefore instructs officers to bring a report to Executive Board outlining ways in which a stronger partnership can be developed in order to close the skills gap, increase employment and training and offer a brighter a future for young people in Leeds.’

The amendments were declared lost and, upon the motion being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED - That this Council regrets that the Coalition Government did not do more to encourage skills development in its recent budget in order to promote economic recovery and social justice.

Council notes with deep concern the poor performance of the Government’s Work Programme, which resulted in only 3.6% of people referred to the Programme moved into work – less than the DWP’s own estimation of the number of people who would have found work if the Programme did not exist. 

It is with disappointment that Members also recognise this comes on top of the Government’s extensive welfare change programme, compounding the economic misery of households currently struggling with unemployment in very difficult economic circumstances.

Council acknowledges that local action has been taken, and resources invested, to limit the cumulative impact on vulnerable households of multiple changes to the welfare system.

Leeds City Council has also already demonstrated its commitment to innovative partnership working within employment and skills, as exemplified by the Apprenticeship Training Agency and a range of activities including pre-employment support.

In order to enable the Council to now make meaningful progress in tackling poverty locally, members urge Government to devolve the delivery of work-orientated training and welfare support to local authorities.

Council instructs officers to bring a paper to the Executive Board outlining how the Council could deliver locally-tailored welfare support while also supporting jobseekers back to work. 

Council also instructs the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds MPs asking for their support in making the case to Government to devolve employment support to the local authority.