Issue - meetings

The report provides a background to The Journey to Work Project and summarises its achievements over the past year and its future.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED

            That the contents of this report be noted.

The Chairman introduced this report as the Leader of the Council and explained that over the past 7 years, the Journey to Work project and its successors had been well received by many of those who needed support to move towards employment. Its value had been recognised not only by those it has helped but also by local employers who had welcomed the opportunity to employ people who may have needed a little extra support but had been more than willing to take up the opportunity of work.

Many local residents had received support allowing them to take up part or full-time employment whilst others had moved along the road towards employability by volunteering or taking qualifications.  The report provided an overview of the Journey to Work project covering the past year.

The Business Development Manager then provided further information explaining that this project had been a success largely due to the superb links that the Council had established with the District’s business community. The report was not about physical transport to work, it was about the need to focus on each individual’s employment journey and how they could tackle any barriers in place preventing them from moving from one point in their life to employment.  The report emphasised the different and varied journeys that often had to be taken by individuals to reach their goals.  To explain the unique successes of the project, some case studies were presented to the meeting. Arun had less budget as it had always used Job Centres or its own offices or met where suited to the client. As a result of this, Arun was able to use its budget wisely and was able to supply a lot of training.  It used its regular email address to the business community to showcase clients to employers.

In receiving the report, Cabinet praised the work undertaken and the benefits the project had provided. This was particularly relevant at this time due to the current unemployment crisis as a result of Covid-19 and so it was felt that anything that the Council could do in partnership with Government grants and other Local Authorities had to be welcomed.

Following some discussion, Cabinet praised all elements of the scheme and the opportunities that it provided.  The case stories explained at the meeting had been truly uplifting and showed how successful the scheme was and its value to those taking part. 

            Having had a series of questions asked which were responded to at the meeting, the Cabinet

                        RESOLVED

                        That the contents of the report be noted

The Cabinet confirmed its decision as per Decision Notice C/045/11012021, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of the Minutes.