To seek Cabinet Member approval to further develop and submit the local Investment Plan for consideration by the Department for Education for the delivery of the Multiply adult numeracy programme. The Local Investment Plan will outline how the council will deliver the £903,193.51 Multiply programme over a 3-year financial funding year period.

a)    The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People approves the submission of the Multiply Investment Plan to the Department for Education to deliver a 3-year adult numeracy programme in Herefordshire; and

b)    The council agrees to act as the accountable body for the Multiply programme within Herefordshire and any associated grant funding awarded by government; and

c)    Authority is delegated to the Director for Children and Young People following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to determine the final investment plan and submit to the Department For Education; and

d)    Authority is delegated to the Director for Children and Young People and S151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to undertake any operational decisions required to implement the Multiply programme within Herefordshire.

1.    To not submit a 3 year Multiply Investment Plan for Herefordshire by 30th June 2022.  This is not recommended because this will result in the county not receiving up to £0.9m of Multiply programme funding investment that has been allocated to Herefordshire to improve adult numeracy skills. This will impact those businesses and residents who could most benefit from improved numeracy skills. It would also be a lost opportunity to improve the skills base of the county and address levelling up and growth ambitions.