OFFICER DECISION

 

Decision:   To allocate UKSPF funding to York College and University Centre and the YNYMCA to run the retrofit skills project through intervention E39

Decision Date: 19th November 2024

Type of Decision: Director                                      Key

 

    Non-Key

X

Portfolio Area that decision relates to:

Leader (inc Corporate Services, Policy, Strategy & Partnerships)

 

Environment and Climate Emergency

 

Economy & Culture

 

X

Finance, Performance, Major Projects & Equalities

 

Children, Young People and Education

 

Transport

 

Health, Wellbeing and Adults Social Care

 

Housing, Planning & Safer Communities

 

Background/ Decision Summary

 

York has been allocated £5.1m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to implement the investment plan that was agreed by DLUHC in January 2023. In October 2022, CYC Executive gave delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Place to implement this Investment Plan, in consultation with the relevant Executive Members and the York UKSPF Partnership Board.  This delegation was reconfirmed in October 2023 when Executive considered the results of a light touch review of the programme, which included allocating skills funding to the retrofit skills project.  Due to the senior management restructure, the decision has been made by the Interim Director of City Development who now has responsibility for UKSPF.

 

Executive considered detailed plans for a retrofit skills project at its February 2024 meeting, noting progress and reiterating their support for the project.  North Yorkshire Council have also initiated a retrofit skills project, working with York College and a consortium of training providers to deliver retrofit skills to public and private sector construction teams.  In order to implement the York project, which was due to commence in April 2024, two pieces of work are required.  The York College consortium will market and deliver retrofit skills training, ensuring a regional approach to workforce development.  York and North Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (YNY MCA) are undertaking research to establish the current and future workforce needs of the retrofit sector.

 

This project’s focus on developing retrofit skills in suppliers complements the work of the InnovateUK funded ROSSY/YorEnergy project which is building householder demand for retrofit work to properties.  As discussed in the paper considered by Executive in January 2024, both supply and demand must be stimulated to overcome the current market failure.

 

York College will coordinate training through the consortium, and act as the central point for enquiries and bookings, at a cost of £8,000.  They will have a £100k fund to support the costs of training.

 

YNYMCA are already undertaking a study across North Yorkshire and require additional funding of £10,000 to extend this study to cover York.

 

UKSPF funding must all be spent by the end of the current financial year, when the current programme finishes and any unspent funds must be returned to Government

 

Options Considered:

 

Option 1: Award funding to York College and YNYMCA

 

Option 2: Do not award funds

 

Options Rejected:

Option 2:  Not awarding funds would prevent the implementation of decisions taken by Executive in October 2023 and January 2024 to support the Retrofit skills initiative.  

 

Consultation Process:

Consultation took place with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Partnership Board, chaired by Cllr Pete Kilbane, April 2024, and the establishment of the project was approved by them and the Executive Member.

 

Implications

Crime & Disorder

 

 

Equalities

 

Highways

 

Human Resources

 

 

Legal

 

ICT

 

Financial

 

 

Affordability

 

Property

 

Climate Change

 

 

Health

 

Other

 

Environment

 

 

Human Rights

 

 

 

Implications Contact:

 

 

 

 

 

Level of Risk:  Acceptable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wards Affected:


All Wards

X

Fishergate

 

Holgate

 

Rural West York

 

Acomb

 

Fulford & Heslington

 

Hull Road

 

Strensall

 

Bishopthorpe

 

Guildhall

 

Huntington & New Earswick

 

Westfield

 

Clifton

 

Haxby & Wigginton

 

Micklegate

 

Wheldrake

 

Copmanthorpe

 

Heworth

 

Osbaldwick & Derwent

 

 

Dringhouses & Woodthorpe

 

Heworth Without

 

Rawcliffe & Clifton

 

 

Comments/Observations:

UKSPF funding is available through the E39 intervention, with decisions on implementation delegated to the Corporate Director in consultation with the Executive Member.  Due to the senior management restructure, the decision has been made by the Interim Director of City Development to whom delegated authority has passed.  The projects clearly align with the Investment Plan and the underpinning strategic framework.

 

Decision:

Award £108,000 to York College and University Centre  to run Retrofit Skills training and £10,000 to YNYMCA to undertake analysis of future workforce needs for retrofit.

 

Decision Made by: Claire Foale, Interim Director of City Development

Contact Details: claire.foale@york.gov.uk

 

On behalf of:  Chief Operating Officer

To be implemented by:

Simon Brereton

Head of Economy

On Completion – Signed off by:

 

Interim Director of City Development

 

 

Date: 22.11.24