Councillor Pat Hackett introduced a report by the Strategic Director – Regeneration and Environment that informed Members of the outcome of a Liverpool City Region (LCR) bid that had successfully secured £5.9m of funds from the national Youth Contract Underspend Programme to support young people into sustainable employment.  The report provided an overview of the Programme and the opportunity for the Council to deliver activity to reduce youth unemployment in Wirral.

The Cabinet was informed that Knowsley Council was the accountable body for these funds across the city region and delegated authority was sought for the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Member Services to accept funds from Knowsley Council, commence a competitive procurement procedure and subsequently appoint a supplier to deliver this Programme on Wirral on behalf of the Council.

The Strategic Director proposed that the call-in period for this report be waived to enable the procurement procedure to commence at the earliest opportunity and enable delivery on Wirral to start in this financial year.  The Chief Executive agreed that the decision proposed was reasonable in all the circumstances and that it be treated as a matter of urgency in accordance with Standing Order No. 35(10)(a).

The Cabinet noted that it was a requirement of the funding that the Council secured additional European Union funds to add to the Programme.  Authorisation was sought for the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, to submit a bid and, subject to a successful application, accept the funds.

Appendix 1 to the report contained commercially sensitive information regarding a future competitive tendering process, the disclosure of which was not considered to be appropriate. Accordingly, it was deemed to be exempt from disclosure under paragraph 3, Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).  Appendix 1 was attached to the agenda at Item No. 24. – Exempt Appendix – Youth Employment Gateway - (Minute No. 97 refers)

Councillor Phil Davies informed the Cabinet that he was pleased that the outcome had been to successfully attract £5.9m of funding from the national Youth Contract Underspend Programme with additional money from Europe.  This outlined the strength of the City Region.  He also reported that he had signed a growth deal with the Minister the previous day.

RESOLVED: That:

(1)  the investment of £5.9m from the national youth contract Underspend Programme to deliver activity to reduce youth unemployment across the Liverpool City Region be welcomed;

(2)  on receipt of a finalised funding offer letter from Knowsley Council authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Head of Legal and Member Services to finalise and accept the grant agreement offer on behalf of the Council;

(3)  the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment be authorised to commence a competitive procurement procedure and subsequently accept the most economically advantageous tender to select a supplier to deliver the Youth Employment Gateway programme in Wirral;

(4)  the call-in period for the recommendations in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92