Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted and adopted the content of the New Forest Skills Action Plan and accompanying Technical Report; and

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

KEY DECISION:

Yes

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Economy

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy was unable to attend the meeting and therefore the Leader introduced the item.

The New Forest had a set of unique work force challenges and therefore needed to unlock opportunities particularly in light of the Solent Freeport. The New Forest Skills Action Plan followed extensive research from stakeholders, key education providers and neighbouring authorities, identifying the key issues facing the area. Some of the key issues were: the Forest’s aging population, the shortage of higher skilled jobs, the widening of the gender pay gap, a reliance on low paid work, barriers such as public transport, an outflow of young people and a lack of affordable housing.

To tackle these challenges, the plan set out 4 objectives: inclusive growth, a positive transition to a low carbon economy whilst also supporting established sectors, lifelong learning and upskill and effective coordination of skills delivery.

The Plan would allow the Council to monitor efforts alongside the regional and national priorities whilst supporting the Corporate Plan priorities. The plan would also enable the Council to secure future funding for skills-based development.

The Assistant Director for Place Development provided further points of information on the report. He explained that this was the first skills action plan for NFDC and covered the District as a whole. The Plan had benefitted from significant engagement with the Council’s partners. A skills group for the New Forest would be set up to help coordinate the development and delivery of skills training across partner providers. The Council looked forward to working with these partners and for the Economic Development team to ensure good quality skills training  across the Forest.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate explained that the Council must grasp the opportunity to upgrade and work on its people’s skills development and the data within the report illustrated the target groups which had been identified.

A non-Cabinet member requested that explicit mention be given to residents with disabilities within the plan. The Assistant Director for Place Development reassured Cabinet that the Council would ensure that part of the New Forest Skills Group would include the intention to work with people with disabilities.