Decision details

The report of the Chief Executive was presented by the Executive Leader and Executive Member (Economic Development and Public Service Reform). The report updated Members of the Chorley Employment Inclusion Project (CEIP) which is being developed as part of the Council’s employability service and subject to an application submitted by Chorley Council from the European Social Fund (ESF) for 60% of its cost.

Members were being asked to approve a revenue contribution from Chorley Council of £307k (40% of costs) over a three year period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019 to be funded from the uncommitted expenditure in the LCC transition fund in 2016/17 and 2017/18 as per recommendations made in the Revenue and Capital Monitoring 2016/17 report included on this agenda.

The report highlighted the success of the exiting Chorley Works project, now managed by the Employment Skills, Business Support service at Chorley Council that supports unemployed residents of Chorley. The new project would build upon this scheme which aims to reduce economic activity by providing disadvantaged target groups resident in Chorley, with access to a programme of support measures to help them to progress towards and/or into employment and be ‘Chorley Works’ ready.

Decision:

Recommendations approved.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

The Chorley Employment Inclusion Programme CEIP supports the delivery of the 2014 Economic Regeneration Strategy and the Chorley Skills Framework by:

·         Supporting Chorley residents in becoming economically active and making a full contribution to the economic success of Chorley

·         Realising Chorley’s forecasted strong economic growth by supporting employers in Chorley who are facing challenges when filling job vacancies.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected.

None