Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director - Regeneration, Economy and Assets to follow

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director - Regeneration, Economy and Assets on the social value outcomes from the Growth and Strategic Investment Programme (the Programme) and which indicated that the objectives of the Programme, and the projects therein, were consistently intended to balance economic, financial, social and environmental outcomes; that each project was developed with wider aims to support with delivery against strategies and policies in other areas of the Council beyond regeneration; that the aim of the report was to provide Members with visibility of the work that had been undertaken, was being undertaken, and was planned, on projects across the Programme and that demonstrated “social value”, which for the purposes of the report was defined as the wider value created by capital projects beyond the economic and financial; and specific information was provided on the following projects:

·       Marine Lake Events Centre;

·       Bootle Strand;

·       Les Transformations de Southport

The report also provided information on:

·       Employment and learning

·       Employment related activity

·       Ongoing support for care leavers

·       NEET Reduction and Early Intervention Service (NREIS) – Commissioned by Employment and learning and delivered by Career Connect

The report concluded by detailing action areas for 2025 and beyond to ensure the continued incorporation of social value into the Programme, and that would include particular emphasis on children and young people, ensuring they were at the heart of everything the Council did.

The Committee was given the opportunity to provide feedback on key issues and to advise on areas of potential interest for further review and focus in future years.

Attached as appendices to the report were Bootle Strand Demolition Social Value Brochure January 2025 and the MLEC Social Value 2024 Round Up.

Members of the Committee asked questions/commented on the following Issues:

·       the complexities within the NEET cohort

·       the officers were praised for their report

·       how NEET young people were identified and approached

·       the beneficial relationship with Sefton@Work and Children’s Services

·       Sefton Council’s ongoing work with Career Connect to engage with NEET young people

RESOLVED:

That the report on the social value outcomes from the Growth and Strategic Investment Programme be noted.