Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The information report provided an update on the activities of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) Board. Before this report Members received a presentation of the CPCA’s work on skills and employment.

 

Therefore, there was no decision to be made by the relevant Executive Councillor but to note the report.

 

The Chair welcomed Lynne Miles, the new Director of Place & Economy to their first meeting of the Strategy & Resources Committee.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from Andrea Wood, MBE, Assistant Director for Skills and Employment, CPCA, followed by Councillor A Smith.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Assistant Director for Skills and Employment, CPCA, said the following:

      i.         There was rising number of learners who were reporting health and mental health conditions.

    ii.         There was a lack of engagement in young adult skills provision which had been impacted by COVID, particularly mental health.   This was one of the prevailing reasons many young people (18-24 years) were presently economically inactive.

   iii.         The CPCA programme did take these issues into consideration working closely with the relevant volunteering community sectors and agencies for individuals to access support as well as participating in learning. 

  iv.         Connect to Work was a programme particularly focused on working with adults with health conditions, including mental health, also learning difficulties and disabilities. This programme required a systems approach to ensure individuals had the wrap around support to participate fully.

    v.         Transport was a barrier for some to access learning. A travel to earn and learn group had been formed to look at bringing together existing strategies to tackle some of the challenges that had an impact on transport and infrastructure. 

  vi.         Was also working with the CPCA’s commissioned skills providers, so they were aware that they had the flexibility to use their adult skills funding to pay for learner’s transport costs, who were using public transport to get to their place of learning.

 vii.         Youth Forum had been established because of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. This had been done to ensure young people were co-designing the trailblazer work, focused on 18–21-year-olds. The premise of the Forum was to use the strength of existing youth voice services and communities across the region. 

viii.         Working to bring together a number of youth voice services, such as Youth Parliament, groups and youth council’s and the workforce of youth workers, especially those working with vulnerable young people who were leaving the care system or accessing services through the criminal justice system.

  ix.         Careful not to duplicate work but building on what already existed within the region.

 

In response to Members’ questions Councillor A Smith responded with the following:

      i.         The proposed orbital bus route had been caught in procurement issues. A bus company had been awarded several contracts for new routes which the orbital route was one, but that company had since withdrawn. Those routes had been put to procurement again, if successful the earliest the routes would start would be in the summer.

    ii.         For the orbital route there may be more than one change for the user to make it as efficient as possible, but it did not require going through the centre of the city.

   iii.         The CPCA had not raised their precept this year, the precept income would be used on other bus routes.

  iv.         Confirmed there was a reduction in 2025/26 transport levy.

 

The following questions would be answered outside of the meeting due to the limited time.

      i.         Would like an update on the Visitor Levy, would this enable a visitor tax. 

    ii.         Would like to know more on the Tiger on Demand Service and the impact on Dial-a-Ride.

   iii.         How did UK REiiF (Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) tie in with Innovate Cambridge, Cambridge Ahead and the Cambridge Growth Company work and All-Party Parliamentary Group

  iv.         How did the Greater South East Net Zero connect with the Cambridge net zero strategy.

    v.         What was the purpose of the consultants brought in by the CPCA to look at the strategic research and economic analysis funded by Homes England.

 

The Committee noted the report.

 

The Executive Councillor noted the report.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor