Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence from Cllr Narcross and Cllr Lynch

Councillors virtually in attendance:

·  Cllr Turbet-Delof

·  Cllr Premru

·  Cllr Smyth

·  Cllr Potter.

2.1  The order of the items was as per the agenda.

3.1  There were no declarations of interest.

4.1  The Chair opened this item with the following introduction:

4.2  Lifelong learning is key to retraining, accessing better job opportunities and transitioning to new employment sectors.  The UK Government committed £3 billion over 5 years, from 2021, to a National Skills Fund to retrain and upskill the adult workforce to meet identified skills gaps.  Everyday there is information on the news about the shortage of these skills.

4.3  This item is to explore how the local adult learning and skills provision in Hackney is supporting residents and adults of working age to retrain and transition into new and future job roles. 

4.4  The Commission requested a response to the questions below from the guests invited to the meeting.

1.  The skills gap - information about the demographics accessing adult education, learning and skills courses and a breakdown of the funding stream / investment.

2.  The Council’s new green deal pledges to support the local green economy and to create green skills.  We asked our guests about their understanding of the “green skills gap” and how they plan to plug it.

3.  The previous scrutiny commission Working in Hackney made a recommendation to the Council to explore aligning their adult community learning provision with the employment support service.  We are asked London Borough of Hackney to for an assessment of the success or otherwise of the integration and the next steps.

Part1

Presentation from New City College Group Hackney and Tower Hamlets College (Hackney site).

4.5  The Chair welcomed to the meeting Alison Arnaud, Principal at New City College Group Hackney site to commence her presentation in response to the questions outlined above.

4.6  The Principal at the New City College Group – Hackney (NCC) made the main points below in her presentation.

4.6.1  In relation to the skills gap for London their decisions related to courses are being influenced by the following:

·  The economic growth in London for 2020-27 is anticipated to be 2.4%.

·  The breakdown of job shifts over the next 5 years and the breakdown of employment by skills levels. 

·  L1 – 10% 

·  L2 – 10%  

·  L3 – 13%

·  L4/5 – 14%

·  L6/7 – 53%.

·  67% of employment will need skills above L3 ( i.e. degree level & beyond ).

4.6.2  The college has a working partnership with Bath Spa University.  The university was looking for a partnership in London and they are currently on site with New City College campus. Through this partnership NCC has been able to fill some of their qualifications and expertise gaps.  Which their current partnership with Queen Mary’s London and UEL does not cover.  This new partnership supports moving towards higher qualifications that is anticipated will be in demand in the future.

4.6.3  In the short-term New City College is making sure their progression from level 3 and level 4 courses into university are on site.  This enables them to support people to stay in the same location (from pre-entry level up to a Masters degree).

4.6.4  From the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1  Members noted the minutes from the previous meeting will be on the next agenda.

6.1  Chair referred to the papers in the agenda on pages 37-50 for the work programme explaining suggestion have been received from members of the public in addition to council stakeholders.

6.2  The Chair asked Members to review the full list of suggestions and make recommendations for priorities to be placed on the work programme for 2022/23.

6.3  Cllr Smyth suggested prioritizing the health impacts of LTNs for people living on boundary roads. 

The Chair highlighted that health impacts was not within their remit this was Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission.

6.4  Cllr Potter suggested looking at the circular economy and how they can encourage this in addition to the community wealth building aspect related to an inclusive economy.

6.5  Cllr Race suggested the new green deal and the Council’s climate action plan.  In response to Cllr Smyth’s suggestions Cllr Race suggested they could look at transport more widely looking at the bus cuts and LTN’s and the impact on the economy as positives and negatives.

The Chair explained their look at LTNs would be to review the impact on business, skills and the economic growth.  The health impacts are an issue for Living in Hackney and Health in Hackney of which the two commission could do a joint enquiry.  It is key for SEG to maintain its focus which is to look at the impact on business, economy and growth and how its contributing to an inclusive economy.  Alternatively, they could suggest a joint piece of work with Health in Hackney but the Chair expressed concern about maintain the focus on business.

6.6  The Chair pointed out there were a number of suggestions about the cost of living and increasing costs.  This could be an area to explore further.  Cllr Potter suggested this could be Scrutiny Panel because it is cross cutting and ties into the Scrutiny Panel’s work on poverty.

6.7  The Chair referred to the suggestion about reviewing the bus network.  Pointing out this is an important and pressing issue for Hackney borough because the borough is dependent on buses.  Cllr Potter and Cllr Premru supported this suggestion.

6.8  Cllr Premru supported the suggestion to look at the circular economy and the new jobs needed in waste services as they move towards the 65% target for recycling in 2030.

6.9  The Chair suggested they may wish to consider a further look at employment and skills particularly in light of the information discussed at this meeting for adult education, employment and skills.  Exploring the issues about refugees, asylum seekers and those with no access to public funds.  Noting the Council is prioritizing making provision for these cohorts to enable access to the labour market.

6.10  Cllr Potter suggested they pull together the work from last year on skills and reassess how to move the items forward after this.  The Chair added that the discussion today highlighted where the Council’s work is complimentary to the other providers.

6.11  Cllr Race suggested looking at the future use of libraries.

7.1  None.