Issue - meetings

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:-

1. Approve acceptance of the Council’s indicative allocation of the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer funding to deliver activity targeted at implementing an integrated employment, skills and health system.

2. Approve use of the funding to manage the programme, commission community-based engagement  ...  view the full agenda text for item 148

Consideration was given to the report which outlined a strategic initiative to be implemented across South Yorkshire to reduce economic inactivity by integrating employment, skills and health services and sought Cabinet approval to accept funding and implement the programme.

With £1.7m in funding for Rotherham from the Department for Work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:-

1. Approve acceptance of the Council’s indicative allocation of the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer funding to deliver activity targeted at implementing an integrated employment, skills and health system.

2. Approve use of the funding to manage the programme, commission community-based engagement activity, and personalised support (to include flexible support budgets), activate employers to create job opportunities for participants, pay for additional staff salaries (within RiDO, Employment Solutions and for other Pathways to Work roles within the Council) and cover miscellaneous costs.

3. Delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy and the Section 151 Officer to determine detailed use of the grant or make any subsequent amendments to the proposed budget allocations.

Consideration was given to the report introduced by Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, and Tim O’Connell, Service Manager, regarding the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer programme. Members were informed that South Yorkshire had been selected as one of the national pilot areas for this initiative, aimed at addressing economic inactivity and supporting individuals back into employment through coordinated, targeted support.

Councillor Taylor reflected on the initial launch of the Pathways to Work Commission report the previous summer, describing the potential of the programme as highly aspirational. He noted that while it had been known for some time that South Yorkshire would serve as a trailblazer, clarity on the operational framework only emerged following a recent government announcement. He commended the report’s author for the significant work done to date and emphasised the ambitious targets ahead, alongside the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents’ lives.

The Service Manager provided an overview of the issue, explaining that an ageing UK population, a persistently high number of economically inactive individuals, and increasing job vacancies had created a growing mismatch in the labour market. In Rotherham, approximately 40,000 people had been economically inactive for several years. He highlighted that many of these individuals, despite not actively seeking employment, had indicated in prior research that they would prefer to work under the right conditions. The reasons behind economic inactivity were identified as complex and varied, ranging from caring responsibilities and education to long-term health conditions. The Trailblazer programme sought to address these barriers by unifying existing support systems such as NHS Growth Accelerator, Department for Work and Pensions support, and a forthcoming programme titled Connect to Work. The aim was to deliver personalised assistance, collaborate with employers on sustainable workplace changes, integrate data to drive effective intervention, and ultimately grow the local workforce.

It was reported that across South Yorkshire, the initiative aimed to help approximately 2,000 people secure employment, including 420 individuals in Rotherham. In addition, the programme sought to prevent around 950 people from becoming economically inactive. While acknowledging the difficulty and ambition of the project, officers emphasised the significance of the opportunity and requested the Council’s support in accepting the grant and proceeding with implementation.

Following the introduction of the report, the Chair invited further clarification regarding the allocation and use of the Trailblazer grant. In response, it was explained that the funding would initially be received by the SY MCA, which would then distribute the allocated amounts to local authorities. Rotherham’s allocation was confirmed to be approximately £1.7 million.

The grant would be used to support several key elements of the programme. This included the establishment of a system service manager function within the local authority to coordinate and improve integration across support services. Funding would also be allocated to provide personalised employment support. It was noted that Rotherham already operated a successful employment support service, Employment Solutions, and the grant would allow for the expansion of this provision as well as the development of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108