To receive apologies for absence and any substitutes may be notified.

None were received.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

There were none disclosed.

To consider the minutes of the Enterprise and Growth Committee held on 30^th July 2015.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th July 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which members of the public have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Thursday 17^th September 2015. 

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions, statements and petitions of which Members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00pm on Thursday 17^th September 2015.

There were no questions from Members.

The Lifelong Learning Manager will brief Members on the apprenticeship system and developing government policy. 

The Lifelong Learning and Skills Manager was welcomed to the meeting and she introduced Kevin Humphries of County Training, Steve Wain of Shrewsbury College, Mike Read a business administration apprentice and Helen Woodbridge a Council Officer who employed two apprentices.  She believed that she felt that it would be useful to Members to hear the different perspectives represented by those involved in providing and undertaking apprenticeships.

Members noted that Central Government was committed to the apprenticeship system and aimed to increase the participants to three million by 2020. To achieve this the apprenticeship framework was undergoing revision to enable greater employer influence.  Trail blazer groups had been established to encourage employer involvement in the redesign.  Early indications were that the new framework would be more rigorous, with end of apprenticeship assessments and a greater emphasis on improving English and maths skills and qualifications.  Changes to funding methods were also expected with funding in future being paid to the employer rather than the training provider. Members also noted that there was a Traineeship Programme which was a precursor to an apprenticeship.  Apprentices would retain their status of employee and be eligible to receive the apprenticeship minimum wage, although employers could choose to pay a higher rate.

Members noted that funding for apprenticeships was provided by Central Government from both the Educational Funding Agency and the Skills Funding Agency depending on the age of the apprentice.  Although not all employers accessed these funds, instead choosing to run their own apprenticeship schemes.  The Richards’ Review had recommended an Apprenticeship levy through the PAYE system which would provide a funding pot for employers, although the details of this were still to be confirmed.

The Lifelong Learning and Skills Manager reported a buoyant apprenticeship landscape in the County with County training and further education colleges providing training in addition to private training providers.  She reported that apprenticeships in a wide range of economic sectors were available and providers worked well together to ensure training coverage.  The network also included the Marches LEP which worked with providers to design programmes, advertise and support them.  She continued that Shropshire recorded a slightly higher proportion of apprenticeships than the National average, although due to demographic changes the cohort was reducing, and employers struggled to find suitable apprentices.

In response to a Member’s query she advised that schools had a statutory duty to provide careers advice to students and the majority of schools commissioned the Council’s Careers Service.  The Careers Service were able to work with schools to identify students who required more focused career support. County Training and Further Education Colleges provided post 16 guidance through options evenings.  In addition to this, young people could approach local providers direct or apply nationally for apprenticeships through the government matching service.  She continued that County Training was part of the Council and this arrangement was working well.

In answer to a Member’s question the Manager for Lifelong Learning and Skills confirmed that all providers were supported by an Ofsted Inspector  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

A verbal update from Business Relationship Manager – Economic Growth on the progress of the implementation of the Economic Growth Redesign Task and Finish Group recommendations.

The Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity advised that appointments had been made to the key roles of Physical Regeneration Manager and Business Relationship Manager.  He added that both postholders would report directly to him and would be involved in the recruitment of the team. 

He continued that the section was going through a transition period with the existing team still in place while recruitment to the new roles was underway.  Staff had been invited to apply for posts within the new team, although he stressed the importance of finding the personnel with the right skills. 

In answer to a Member’s query, the Head of Economic Growth and Prosperity confirmed that the Visitor Economy was not included in the Economic Growth area and was led by Louise Cross and they would work closely together.

The Chair of the Student Accommodation Task and Finish Group was invited to update Members on the progress of the Group.  He reported that the Group had received a presentation from ARUP on their findings.   They had also had in-depth discussions on the implications of applying for an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights from properties to give more control over the conversion of dwellings into houses of multiple occupation.  A site visit to Worcester was being organised to allow Members the opportunity to see an established University community. 

He continued that the Task and Finish Group had originally planned to complete its work in September but this had been extended to allow the group to fully consider all the available options.  It was now anticipated that the group’s final report would be completed by the beginning of December.   

To consider the work programme.

Agreed:

That Planning Enforcement be added to the Committee’s work programme.

Thursday 22^nd October 2015

10^th December 2015