A report by the Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning followed a request by Members for details of how programmes would be developed and delivered to tackle worklessness and support apprentices. This request had come as part of the complementary suite of budget policy options for the economy.

The report set out the proposed models for the programmes and sought Members approval to commence delivery.  This included a combination of both externally contracted elements that required competitive tendering and elements to be delivered in house by the Council.

Appendix A to the report contained commercially sensitive information relating to a competitive tendering process, the disclosure of which was not appropriate under paragraph 3, Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). (Minute No. 427 refers.)

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the delivery model for the worklessness support programme be approved and the Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning  be authorised to commence a competitive exercise to re-tender this contract as set out in Appendix A to the report;

(2)  the delivery model of The Wirral ILM and Pre-recruitment Support element be approved and the Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning be authorised to commence delivery as set out in paragraph 3.3 and 3.4 of the report;

(3)  the delivery model of The Wirral Apprentice Programme be approved and the commencement of delivery be authorised as set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report; and

(4)  the allocation of £1,500,000 from the Worklessness and Apprenticeship Policy Option; £260,000 from the Green Growth in Wirral Policy Option and £500,000 from the base budget for apprentices, as set out in Appendix A of the report, to meet the objectives of tackling worklessness and supporting apprentices be approved.