Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting with a minute silence and reflection in memory of Councillor Graham Snell. The Chair added that Councillor Snell had served on the Environment and Economy Select Committee for a number of years and had been a good natured and valued contributor to the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julie Ashley-Wren, Leanne Brady, Sarah Mead and Claire Parris.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Environment and Economy Select Committee meeting held on 12 November 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Hertfordshire County Council, Step2Skills service that provides adult community learning and employment support service opportunities for adults in Hertfordshire have been invited to provide input regarding the skills review.

At this juncture the Chair introduced Matt Partridge, Chief Executive (Stevenage Borough Council) and Advisory Board Member (Step2Skills), Daryl Jedowski, Corporate Policy and Performance Manager, and Carol Richardson, Enterprise and Skills Partnership Officer.

The Chair opened the meeting by providing an overview of recent developments at the national level relevant to the committee’s ongoing work on the local skills agenda. A recent Government White Paper, Getting Britain Working, outlined proposed reforms aimed at aligning employment and career support services more effectively. Key challenges identified included limited collaboration between Jobcentre Plus and employers, insufficient outcomes from the National Careers Service, and overly centralised and compliance-focused employment support.

Proposed national service developments included:

·       Greater integration of employment support with skills and careers advice.

·       Stronger partnerships with local employers and embedding the principle of localism.

·       Enhanced digital offerings to improve accessibility.

·       A personalised approach to employment support, with reduced reliance on sanction targets.

The Chair highlighted ongoing pilot schemes in locations such as Wolseley and East Kilbride, as well as the importance of Skills England working collaboratively with local authorities, businesses, and education providers. This aligned with Stevenage’s proactive work on its local skills agenda, which positioned the town well to meet future employment needs.

The Chair asked the Chief Executive a question regarding their involvement with the Step2Skills programme.

The Chief Executive explained that they had been a member of the Step2Skills advisory board for approximately five years, having joined after volunteering at a Hertfordshire Chief Executives meeting to fill a vacancy. They highlighted the importance of the programme to Hertfordshire and Stevenage residents, emphasising the board’s diverse representation, which included members from local Further Education colleges, Hertfordshire County Council Children's Services, the district council, the voluntary and adult education sectors, and programme delivery partners.

The Committee heard that the board’s role was to provide strategic direction and oversight, acting as a “critical friend” to the Step2Skills senior team, led by their Head of Service. Although the board did not have decision-making authority over budgets or operational actions, it reviewed strategies and policies, offering feedback that was frequently incorporated into adjustments.

The Chief Executive praised the Step2Skills team for their exceptional commitment and vocational passion for their work and highlighted their efforts in Stevenage, including career fairs and other initiatives, which aligned with the town’s priorities.

The Chair asked the Chief Executive about Step2Skills' efforts to support individuals in bridging the gap into employment.

In response, the Chief Executive outlined several local challenges faced by Stevenage residents, including:

·       Median annual earnings in Stevenage being lower than Hertfordshire and national averages.

·       Lower pupil attainment levels across educational stages compared to Hertfordshire and England averages.

·       A lack of technical and niche skills required for certain roles, compounded by recruitment challenges in specific sectors such as aerospace and STEM.

·       Gaps in soft skills such as communication and administrative capabilities.

·       Barriers such as high living costs, limited transport accessibility, and inflexible working hours, particularly affecting roles like adult social care.

The Chief Executive highlighted the competitive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the draft report and emerging recommendations of the Committees review into skills.

The Committee reviewed the initial draft of the Skills Review Report and its recommendations.

Members emphasised the importance of addressing neurodiversity within training recommendations, suggesting a more holistic and personalised approach to training, ensuring a mix of hands-on and classroom-based options to cater to diverse learning styles. Peer-to-peer mentoring and improved outreach to individuals between contracts or not actively engaging with traditional job-seeking avenues were also discussed.

Members commented about the feasibility of lobbying for extended funding for weekend childcare, given staffing and operational challenges faced by providers. Alternative suggestions included promoting workplace childcare facilities through partnerships with local employers and rethinking youth service provision to alleviate reliance on early years settings.

Members advocated for raising awareness of the value of early years education as a career choice, addressing perceptions of it as a secondary career option, and linking this with the expansion of qualifications like T Levels.

Members encouraged a focus on recommendations within the council's direct influence, such as expanding Stevenage Works and improving collaboration among local education providers. Concerns were expressed about recommendations overly reliant on national policy changes, such as funding models for post-16 education.

Members highlighted the need for independent, objective careers advice, along with suggestions for a local careers centre to provide guidance free from educational institution bias. Members also discussed the council’s role in providing quality work experience placements and modelling best practice in skills development.

The Chair and members expressed appreciation for the contributions and feedback, noting the importance of refining recommendations to focus on achievable, impactful actions.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.