Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the future of adult learning in Cheshire East.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) had set out a mandate to encourage all Local Authorities to become Lead Accountable Bodies (LABs) from 1 August 2011 to take responsibility for implementing the “Learning Revolution” White Paper published in February 2009.  The White Paper described changes to adult learning by encouraging a more informal approach. 

With effect from August 2011, the Skills Funding Agency planned to channel the budget to support informal adult learning in a local area through identified LABs.

RESOLVED

That

(1)               the funds to deliver under Adult Safeguarded Learning and Employer Responsive funding streams from the Skills Funding Agency for 2010-11 (academic year cycle) be accepted;

(2)               Cheshire East Council accept the invitation to become the Lead Accountable Body for Skills Funding Agency;

(3)               Cheshire East Lifelong Learning [placed within Children and Families Integrated Workforce Development team] take the lead on this agenda for the Local Authority;

(4)               Cheshire East Lifelong Learning consult with other Cheshire East services, such as Libraries, extended services, leisure and green spaces, health and well being, and safer communities, who are cited in the Learning Revolution as having a very influential part to play as learning moves closer to informal settings; and

(5)       a communications strategy be developed which brands this learning culture to promote the ASPIRE values of the Council and promote the service to all employees.