Agenda item

The Committee considered the Q1 Performance Report.

·         Members were informed that the number of residents supported back into work is above target compared with last year. To minimise duplication, partners now share details of their local offer, consult with the partnership when changing or adapting delivery, share data on their outcomes, and work collectively to identify and address gaps.

·         The Council recognises the essence of supporting parents into work as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty, particularly in light of the very high levels of child poverty that is related to parents on out-of-work benefits. Members were advised that although the Council, with 119 outcomes, has exceeded the profiled target for quarter 1, council services and partners aim to support at least 425 parents into employment this year.

·          iWork continues to trial different models of outreach so that support is effectively targeted at the economically inactive residents, including parents who don’t claim unemployment benefit, under 25s, and residents on disability benefits.

·         It continues to be a challenge to engage unemployed young adults aged 18-25, but council services and partners will continue in the council’s aim to support at least 360 young people into employment during the year. The meeting was informed that Network Aspire, in conjunction with employers such as Nando’s and Caffe Nero, provides hospitality masterclasses to address this situation.

·         In relation to issues around the night-time economy, the Executive Member for Economic Development acknowledged that this had not been looked into but that it would be an area of interest in the future. Members were advised that the Council will continue to encourage employers to introduce the London Living Wage, and increase the skill of its residents to prepare them for better-paid jobs.

·         In response to a request for comparison data about the increasing number of apprentices that had moved into further employment or training, the Executive Member for Economic Development indicated that it would be circulated. In addition, the Director Employment, Skills and Culture informed the meeting that a progress report on the Apprentice strategy, which highlights the progress in, and challenges of, retaining apprentices, would be brought to Committee for consideration.

·         Members were informed that the Council continues to embed social value in its council commissioning/procurement exercises by creating apprenticeships and entry-level jobs with its suppliers for local residents. Members were informed that a Task and Finish Group, headed by the Corporate Director Housing and Adult Services, is reviewing the number of Islington residents who have gained apprenticeships with council-contracted suppliers.

·         On concerns over the low skills and poverty levels of its residents, the meeting was informed that the Council’s Adult and Community Learning Service is planning to make lifelong learning more accessible by offering night schools and establishing a Joint Directorate Outreach Team to address the issue.

·         In response to an observation that children of West Indian origin, and white working-class children, had not been participating in the summer reading challenge held in libraries, the Executive Member indicated that she would have a look at the issue and report back.  

·         Members were informed that although two new indicators relating to the number of library visits and the number of children taking part in the summer reading challenge had been included in the quarter report, further analysis would be possible after quarter 2 data had been reported.

·         The Executive Member for Economic Development advised that the Council now provides 100 hours of support for Islington children, a Labour Party manifesto commitment.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.