To approve the allocation of funds to four projects that have been approved by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) for funding under the Marches Growth Deal Skills Capital fund.

The Committee was asked to approve the allocation of funds to four projects that had successfully completed a due diligence appraisal by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) for funding under the Marches Growth Deal Skills Capital fund.

The Marches LEP Director presented the report.  She highlighted paragraph 3 of the report with regard to the project from SBC Training.  This noted that the SFA had recommended that the grant for the capital equipment element be approved at this stage but that the element for fit out be conditional on provision of satisfactory detailed figures.   She confirmed that this information was expected to be available before the end of March 2016.  The Marches LEP board had recommended approval of the balance of the grant once they had been satisfied that the capital works met the SFA requirements.

The Chairman of the LEP Board reported that the Board had considered and supported the allocations.

RESOLVED:  That the following skills capital allocations be approved:

(a)   Hereford and Ludlow College - £197,400;

(b)   Herefordshire Group Training Association - £158,200;

(c)   SBC Training Ltd - £50,000 (of which £10,000 conditional on SFA confirmation of satisfactory receipt of further information as set out at paragraph 3 of the report*); and

(d)  Derwen College - £56,000.

(* see minute 5 - 31 May 2016)