Decision details

To approve the signing of the legal agreement from the Department for Work & Pensions receiving £1.9million of European Social Fund to deliver the Employment Hub project.

1)         Accept the European Social Fund funding of £1.97m and agree for the City Council to act as accountable body in relation to the delivery of the project. 

2)         Approve an allocation of £49k for the EmployMe project and £255k for the Employment Hub project both to be funded from resources set aside for the Economic Action Plan.

3)         Delegate to the Director of Tourism, Culture & Inward Investment, in consultation with the Director of Finance, the authority to distribute and allocate the European Social Fund funding to further the aims of the project subject to the terms of any agreements required in consultation with Legal Services.

This project will enable additional externally funded support to be provided to small to medium sized enterprises in Leicester and Leicestershire, including support targeted at disadvantaged groups within Leicestershire to help them move into employment.

To do nothing, would limit the support available to businesses which can help them to grow and develop which will in turn create new jobs and increase Leicester’s economy.  This project also support individuals to gain training and employment opportunities within Leicestershire and helps to deliver key priorities of the Economic Action Plan (2016-2020) such as creating 1000 Apprenticeships.