Agenda item

The Commissioning and Contracts Officer provided Members with a verbal report covering the draft Annual Report of the Bolsover Partnership.  It was noted that the final copy was currently in production by the communications team and would be circulated on completion.

The report covered the period April 2021-March 2022 and all activity completed by the Partnership supported the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy objectives.

Key areas of delivery noted were:

• Community Champions – this resulted in four Link Workers operating in each of the market towns. 

A key part of their function was delivery of core messages during the Covid pandemic and also to be the ‘face’ of the Council.  The scheme resulted in improved relationships with Frasers Group – a major local employer.  Following completion of the scheme, which was briefly extended, the partnership team had altered their operations to create a focussed delivery centred on the four market town areas with a lead officer for each.

Four digital displays had also been installed, one in each town centre, to enable key messages and information to reach across the District.  It was hoped this would go some way to bridge the digital divide where residents either cannot access or don’t have the skills to access the internet.

• Bolsover District Skills Audit – this was a District-wide survey completed with external support from Sheffield Hallam University.

The objective was to complete a District-wide Skills Survey to find out about how the social and economic challenges of the area impacted on the training and education needs of residents.  It explored the extent to which skills and qualifications were being utilised, as well as attitudes towards and any barriers to participation in employment, training and learning. 

One of the core aims was to assess any changes following a smaller scale survey undertaken in 1995.  The results were not directly comparable with a previous skills survey, which was limited to the Shirebrook area, covered a smaller sample size, and was completed at a time of high unemployment due to pit closures. 

Nevertheless, the results showed that there were significantly more people employed and a lot of interest in training opportunities.  It was noted that whilst there were limited numbers benefitting from apprenticeships, this reflected the national picture as the number of opportunities available was lower than the demand for places and this needed addressing at both national and local level.

• Community Rail Partnership – this was a new initiative created to work across all the communities benefiting from the Robin Hood Line. 

Work had taken place in relation to securing station improvements; prevention of ASB within the station area, multi-sports sessions as diversionary activity; rail safety education programme; and Creswell Heritage Trail.  It was hoped the Heritage Trail concept could be developed within the other communities where a station was situated.

• Public Health Locality Funding – the Partnership received an annual allocation to commission local activity. 

A notable project was the Raising Aspirations initiative.  Whilst this started out at District level, the Partnership now commissioned this work on a countywide basis.  64 students from the District were supported during 2021/22, from Stubbin Wood School, Heritage High School and Tibshelf School.  In addition, the targeted work with Stubbin Wood pupils giving work experience opportunities within Leisure Services, was very well received and provided vital employability skills to those involved.

Furthermore, there was I-Venture, which was an international citizenship programme where the young people benefitting would go to South Africa in July 2023.  Delivery of this project had been delayed due to the pandemic but the resilience of the young people involved had been commendable.

A Scrutiny Member queried what link there was to the schools in light of the Skills Audit completed so any subsequent work was joined up.  The Commissioning and Contracts Officer noted that the Derbyshire Careers Hub was the main link between schools and employers.  The Raising Aspirations programme used labour market information to direct the young people to possible career pathways.  She agreed to follow-up on the links with local schools in relation to the Skills Audit.

Bolsover Community & Voluntary Support – the contract with Bassetlaw Community & Voluntary Service had been extended to further develop the Bolsover Support Service.  The organisation’s staff continued to work with local groups and forums.

• Business Growth Fund – 9 businesses were supported during 2021/22.

• Building Resilience Programme – this work continued and a summary of the last twelve months was included in the report.

• Bolsover Homes Social Value Report – this work was completed by Woodhead Construction prior to the company ceasing to trade, and gave a clear example of how the Council would be able to create more detailed analysis reports using the Loop software.

• Bolsover District Statistical Insight – it was noted how the District had improved GVA whilst still having lower than average wages and qualification levels.  The change in GVA was attributed to an increase in hours worked and an increase in higher value firms within the area.

It was queried what the difference was between wage levels of those resident in the District compared to those working in the District, as this could be an indication as to the skill level/quality of local employment options.

Members had a general discussion regarding how the District was in a catch-22 situation where there was not enough sufficiently skilled people but equally the businesses requiring those skills were based out of the area, meaning those with the skills needed to commute.  This was in turn affected by poor transport links both within the District and out to neighbouring conurbations.  This was significantly limiting access to employment and training for those who could not drive/afford to run a car.

Moved by Councillor Anne Clarke and seconded by Councillor Evonne Parkin.

RESOLVED that the monitoring update be noted.