Issue - meetings

The Executive are asked to agree that:

i.     In principle, approval be given for the submission of an Investment Plan.

ii.     Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Children and Young People Service to agree the final version of the plan for sign off by the Chief Executive, for submission to the DfE by 30 June 2022.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service seeking approval and in-principle sign off of the investment programme for the Department for Education (DfE) Multiply initiative for North Yorkshire.

County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson introduced the report, explaining that the DfE Multiply programme is a dedicated strand of the UK Shared prosperity fund. The overall objective of Multiply is to increase the levels of functional numeracy in the adult population across the UK. Funds are available to those aged over 19 who do not hold a GCSE or O level equivalent in Maths, to improve their skills with courses that fit around their lives and employment. For example, an applicant could dip in and out of the learning materials online so their employers are not affected by the training.

Paul Cliff, Shared Head of Adult Learning & Skills, explained that the Multiply approach for North Yorkshire has been developed in collaboration with City of York Council. The report details the initial stages of the investment plan, to be submitted to the DfE by 30 June 2022.

County Councillor Greg White sought clarification on the role of Ofsted in the Multiply approach. It was noted that discussions are ongoing with the DfE around the Individual Learner Record and the involvement of Ofsted are ongoing. County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson explained that all of the information is not available at this time from the DfE, but that the Corporate Director – Children and Young People’s Service consult with the relevant Executive members before agreeing the final version for sign off by the Chief Executive and submission to the DfE.

County Councillor Carl Les welcomed the investment plan funding and commented that the County Council should do whatever we can to support those who haven’t enjoyed a good education.

All Executive Members present voted in favour of the recommendations and it was

Resolved - That the Executive agree:

i.            In principle, approval be given for the submission of an Investment Plan.

ii.           Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – Children and Young People Service to agree the final version of the plan for sign off by the Chief Executive, for submission to the DfE by 30 June 2022.