Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covers the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlines local context and provides information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider the data and issues in the report.

Officer Contact: Richard Mortimer on 0161 474 3864 or email: richard.mortimer@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on employment and skills data, and issues in Stockport. The report covered the current key data on Stockport’s labour market and benefit claimants, outlined local context and provided information on employment and skills initiatives in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Whilst there had been a year on year reduction in the number of vacancies in Stockport of 48%, in August 2014 Stockport had the second highest number of job vacancies in Greater Manchester.

·         A significant number of people were obtaining entry level jobs, primarily in the retail sector.

·         With regard to Work Programme performance, Stockport was the best performing local authority area in Greater Manchester with more people in sustained employment between June 2011 and June 2014.

·         A Member queried why the percentage of those 16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) was significantly lower in Offerton than the other Neighbourhood Management Areas.

·         The work the Council had been undertaking in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to provide targeted support for those families most in need of a range of services, including employability support through the Supporting Families Pathway and Programme was raised. Through the provision of Job Centre Plus Flexible Fund money (including two Council employed Employment and Skills Advisers for two years) and the additional secondment of a member of staff from Jobcentre Plus, resources had been made available to have a dedicated team of three staff members addressing employability issues as part of the Multi-Agency Services Hub (MASH) that delivered integrated family support services. Progress to date had been very positive.

·         A Member enquired how many local people had been employed at the new Asda store in Reddish.

RESOLVED – (1) That the data and issues in the report be noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to Members on the Supporting Families Programme.