To agree the principle of Herefordshire Council investing in an initiative where the council is in partnership with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association (HWGTA) to enable further development of vocational work based skills across the county, and to authorise the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Assets to sign Heads of Terms for both parties to agree the principles and to further explore options around a strategic investment partnership, and bring a business case back to cabinet for approval in autumn 2023.

That

a)    authority is delegated to the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Assets to sign Heads of Terms between Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association for a partnership to enable further development of vocational work based skills across the county;

b)    Cabinet authorises the development of an options appraisal to inform a full business case of an investment model most appropriate to allow the project to progress and bring that back to cabinet for further authorisation in autumn 2023; and

c)    authority is delegated to the Director of Resources and Assurance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and Assets to take all operational decisions relating to the above recommendations.

1. To not agree to signing Heads of Terms – this is not recommended as this will delay Herefordshire Council working in partnership with HWGTA to further develop vocational skills within Herefordshire when there is a skills gap in vocational skills across Herefordshire. The national intention is to grow the offer to our residents in terms of skills development and by not doing this we are limiting opportunity in Herefordshire.