Issue - meetings

          The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport and the Head of Economy and Skills submitted a joint report concerning a proposal to make an application to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to achieve ‘National Skills Academy’ status for construction, enabling the Council to use the CITB National Framework to assist in creating and developing employment and skills opportunities in Swindon.

          Councillor Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills, welcomed the report that he believed was excellent news for Swindon. He commented on the benefits that adopting the Framework would bring to Swindon and the local economy.

          Councillor Bob Wright, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, welcomed the proposal and wondered how it fitted with the Plan 500 and Plan 1000. He also hoped that the Council would both encourage take up and ensure that unscrupulous employers were discouraged from creating false apprenticeships and training opportunities.

          Councillor Mark Dempsey expressed his support for the proposals and noted that it reinforced this Council’s commitment to growing skills and encouraging apprenticeships. He noted how the report linked closely to the content of previous Council motions, adopted with cross-party support to seek support for apprenticeships and the provision of opportunities for young people.

          Councillor Perkins commented on the opportunities that the proposed Framework provided and how it would be monitored. He confirmed that it was anticipated that the number of job opportunities generated would be over and above those referred to in the “Plans.” He emphasised the importance of developing training opportunities linked to employment as a way of both increasing Swindon’s skills base and strengthening its economy.

          Resolved – (1) That the Head of Economy and Skills, in consultation with the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport, be authorised to make an application to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) for the Council to be awarded ‘National Skills Academy for Construction’ status.

          (2) That the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Head of Economy and Skills, the Director of Law and Democratic Services, the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport, be authorised to prepare Supplementary Planning Guidance to secure skills and employment opportunities from appropriate new development.

          (3) That the Wichelstowe Programme Director, in consultation with the Director of Law and Democratic Services, be authorised to develop with the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services an acceptable Section 106 Planning Obligation that will enable the Wichelstowe Project to deliver an agreed package of objectives to secure skills and employment opportunities as part of the development, so that the Wichelstowe Development Project can form part of the Council’s application for ‘National Skills Academy for Construction’ status.

          (4) That the Head of Economy and Skills, in conjunction with the Head of Procurement and the Director of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44