Agenda item

To receive a proposed New Forest Skills Action Plan.

The Panel received a report on the New Forest Skills Action Plan.

The New Forest Skills Action Plan followed a decision by Cabinet to identify priorities for the legacy of the Freeport and this would therefore be the first Skills Action Plan for the New Forest.  The key elements were for jobs and skills although new economic opportunities were also emerging including the green economy.

A Panel member welcomed the report, but expressed concern that deprived areas in the New Forest were not mentioned, along with schools.  In response, it was confirmed that there was collaboration and community engagement between schools, colleges, training providers, local authorities, local employers and community organisations to shape the curriculum, offer placements and influence strategic skills, therefore working with schools would be crucial.  Colleges were already working with the schools and the Council was looking to ensure that it was more effective and joined up, moving forward.  The composition of this group had yet to be fully determined but the Council was keen to ensure that more than one education representative would be involved.

Another Panel member raised issues around future funding and it was confirmed that for this financial year funding was available.  However, for subsequent years it was uncertain, although there were various funding streams which having the Skills Action Plan could help secure funding from.  In addition, there would be opportunities to be more efficient in delivering skills.

The lack of public transport in the District was also raised as a concern.

A member stated that it was good to see an aspirational document although was concerned as to where people were going to work as the Freeport wasn’t turning out to be the employment panacea that it was sold as and the National Park wouldn’t attract any heavy industry.  In response, it was confirmed that officers were beginning work on a new Economic Development Strategy which would help address wider economic development issues.

There was also concern that the Skills Action Plan didn’t cover the whole of the New Forest and concentrated on the Freeport area only.  This was alongside concerns that schools and colleges were not fully preparing young people for employment in a commercial, industrial or retail world.  In response, it was stated that the Freeport was a significant opportunity for the Waterside and further afield due to the influence and benefit of the Freeport expected to extend into the wider New Forest.  The Skills Action Plan was not designed to be a Waterside only benefit, as the opportunity for funding initiatives also included the Avon Valley and beyond.  Officers reassured the Panel that the reason for setting up a New Forest skills group was to ensure skills opportunities for all residents across the New Forest, not just the Waterside.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel supported the Cabinet recommendations as follows:

1.           To noted and adopt the content of the New Forest Skills Action Plan and accompanying Technical Report; and

2.           Support the objectives and recommended actions of the New Forest Skills Action Plan including the setting up of a New Forest Skills Group.