Agenda and draft minutes

To note apologies and confirm the quorum of 11 members is met.

The meeting was inquorate, with 10 members present out of 11 needed for quorum.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Iqbal, Almass, Robinson, Caffrey and Moore.

None.

None. 

As the meeting is inquorate, the minutes must be approved at the next quorate meeting, currently scheduled for 12 January 2024.

As the meeting is inquorate, the notes must be acknowledged at the next quorate meeting, currently scheduled for 12 January 2024.

The Chair expressed disappointment that the meeting was inquorate for the second time in a row this year and said he would write to political group leaders to suggest that members unable to attend meetings regularly due to other commitments consider be replaced.

An additional verbal update was provided providing some economic context, including reduction in inflation, the MPC’s decision to keep interest rates the same this quarter, GDP remaining static, and ‘flattening’ of employment levels. In employment and pay terms, median pay was 16% higher than in May 2021 (during COVID) but had fallen by 2% since June 2023 in WY, compared to a 1% fall nationally, which could lead to stronger demand for adult learning as criteria for subsidies is based on pay.

Discussion covered the following points:

·       Measuring success: Destination and progression data is difficult to collect, but there is an increasing focus on it. The programme asks learners what their plans are, and more effort is undertaken to follow up and find out where they ended up. Some data is clearer as the training is linked to specific vacancies and can be tracked easier.

·       Demographic, strategic focus of AEB: Post-devolution, the strategic focus has been on the poorest communities. AEB is the largest adult learning fund, but not the only one, and there is alignment and co-working with other programmes such as “Multiply” which focuses on adult basic numeracy.

·       Reaching those most in need: £8m of the £66m is dedicated to community learning and delivered in locations identified as being most in need and targeted at hard to reach and ‘disengaged’ demographics. Some areas have higher instances of ‘disengaged’ communities than others due to local social and cultural factors amongst certain groups related to access and trust in local government. Reaching them requires engagement with local stakeholders which is resource intensive. Creative methods are adopted to reach them e.g. parents dropping children at school and frame support as helping children with homework as a beginning point. The CA could also leverage assets such as bus stops to support further outreach in future.

·       Data discrepancy: The disparity between two figures for 2021/22 (43k and 46k) of adult learner participation in the reports is due to differences in data accounting between different programmes and funds; the 46,000 figure includes community learning participant overlap. This explanation will be reflected in future papers. Total figures are 52,000 starts, 47,000 retained and nearly 45,000 completions.

·       Regional data breakdown and focuses: The CA works with local council colleagues to determine which wards are in most need. Councillors will benefit from knowing the picture in their own wards, to better assess where there is most need, and help to connect AEB programmes to local ‘hard to reach’ communities and programmes. Officers will send a breakdown to members following the meeting.

·       ROIand wider outcomes: A greater analysis of “return on investment” (ROI) not only the AEB programme in terms of outputs (learners etc) but also on wider economic outcomes and corporate strategic goals would be useful for members to analyse in future.

·       Reskilling needs and green jobs: Mayor launched a Green Jobs Taskforce to determine what a green job is and what the economy’s demand and need is and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

Discussion covered the following points:

·       Measuring success with NEETs: Success on NEETS is defined by absolute reduction in number of NEETs (‘Not in Employment, Education or Training’) and increase in participation levels, as they are linked. There is a need to focus beyond simply numbers in absolute terms, and also focus on the economic and social impact and picture. There is a role for local government and the CA to be ‘system leaders’ and ‘enablers’ in reducing NEET levels.

·       Gender stereotyping and progress: Although there is more press and public attention on instances of gender-based discrimination and issues, the data shows that the picture is improving across the board thanks to various programmes. Attitudes around certain jobs and careers is still shaped by society, media and culture in both directions so it is necessary to target children at school with role models and examples so that they know any career is open to anyone. Even in areas of progress, there remain some discrepancies; there are many more women in surveying, but the trades are still male dominated. In some businesses different departments are still skewing towards particular demographics e.g. marketing is young, manufacturing was male, and textiles still female. There are also structural challenges, such as childcare duties falling disproportionately more on women and at-work creches benefiting all parents balance life and work.

·       FutureGoals participation rate: FutureGoals is aimed at all age groups and there has been a big increase in usage due to successful marketing campaigns, with digital channels emerging as one of the most successful ways of reaching those who could benefit most from the programme, and its increasing promotion by careers facilitators in partner sectors such as college/university advisors, prisons, rehab etc. Data does not capture the ages of the users, as that would require an additional ‘data capture wall’ (i.e. asking for more information) which is proven to turn people off, if they have to sign up – which is currently only done by the training providers etc.

·       Local university retention rates: The 23% rate referenced in paragraph 2.17-18 refers to those employed in the area they were educated in, as a retention rate, and not the wider post-university employment rate. The “Russell Group” universities’ retention rates tend to be lower, which is normal for that level of university, e.g. Harvard University’s retention rate is around 10% as most students do not stay in the immediate area. Retention is one of the areas that West Yorkshire performs better in than some other regions.

·       Type of study vs local job supply: The graph in 2.17 shows that the “STEM” subjects of sciences, technology, engineering and maths have relatively low retention rates.  This is largely due to the “Russell Group effect”, since the university of Leeds is the main provider in these subject areas.  It may also be due to fewer employers in those sectors in the region, compared to other regions, and also an inability of local firms to match the salaries offered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

It was agreed that:

-       The Economic Strategy update be moved from the 12 January meeting to the 8 March meeting, as January is too soon for an update and is the Mayors Questions sessions.

-       That a (virtual) planning session be arranged in December for members to discuss their approach to Mayor’s Questions, which is taking place at the next meeting on 12 January 2024.

-       Members were reminded that they should look in advance to see if they can attend a meeting and then arrange a substitute from the substitute pool if they cannot attend, as it is vital that meetings are quorate.