Decision details

The DfE is currently seeking the Combined Authority agreement to the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025. The Order will be made, subject to Parliament’s approval, under provisions within the Local Democracy Act, including section 105A, and will confer an additional funding power for adult education functions on all existing combined authorities with adult education functions. It will enable combined authorities to administer their Adult Skills Fund (ASF) to fund new technical qualifications from academic year 2025/26.


The DfE currently transfers statutory adult education functions to combined authorities via statutory instrument (once devolution deals are agreed) so they can decide, at a local level, which qualifications they wish to fund to support skills development in their areas. This Order will amend the existing education-related statutory instrument for each Combined Authority to add the further funding power, specifically it will concurrently transfer Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills and Children Act 2009 (ASCLA), to enable combined authorities to fund new, high quality technical qualifications alongside others already available to them. This will ensure that adult learners in the area will have access to the same high-quality technical qualifications as those in other devolved, and non-devolved, areas.

The amendment under consideration essentially expands the power already vested in the CA to secure the provision of financial resources for adult education, extending this to include those aged 19 or over (or 25 and over if subject to an EHCP) undertaking approved technical education qualifications or approved steps towards occupational competence. The power is permissive, in that it is set out that the CA 'may' secure financial provision. Noting that the CA already hold this power, with the approval of each constituent Council, this amendment is an extension on the type of adult education course it currently applies to.


Proposal

The issue of devolved adult education funding has already been considered and agreed by Sefton Council when it approved its membership of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in 2018. It is proposed that the Council consider giving its consent to the 2025 amendment to the orders using the same mechanism, which is through the delegated authority of the Chief Executive Officer in line with the Constitution after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Council’s monitoring officer.


Decision

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution and having consulted with the Leader of the Council and the Council Monitoring Officer it is recommended that the Chief Executive gives approval to the following:

(a) the draft SI entitled “The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (Adult Education Functions) Order 2025” (see attached) is agreed in principle by Sefton Council

(b) Sefton Council consents to the making of the The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

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