Decision details

Purpose of Report: As a provider of adult education in receipt of grant funding of over £1m we must write and publish an accountability statement to form part 2 of our funding agreement with the Skills Funding Agency. We have also been advised that to meet financial procedure rules we must also document approval to receive the recurring grant funding that will make up part 1 of the documentation.

The statement is a mandatory part of the legislation linked to our current funding arrangements but must make clear reference to a document, written by West and North Yorkshire Chamber of commerce called the Learning Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and the key priorities of the council.

This document is this year’s version of a document approved for 2024-25 and our response is largely based upon the strategy for adult learning and skills engagement that we consulted on in July 2022 and just defines targets based on the LSIP and national skills requirements.

The Executive will be asked to: Approve the agreement to form part 2 of our annual funding contract with the Skills Funding Agency.

Resolved – That Executive approves the Accountability Statement and Action Plan attached as an annex to the report ahead of publication at the end of June 2025.

Reason – For the service to receive funding to deliver against this statement we must gain agreement on contents. This agreement provides a framework for accountability whilst enabling us to receive the necessary funds to deliver the service. The document will also serve as the basis for wider internal conversations that will maximise the potential of learning for our residents.