Issue - meetings

DWP Connect to Work – Collaboration Agreement

To submit the report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

Additional documents:

Webcast for Connect to Work Programme 2025 - 2030

Decision:

It was resolved –

· To note the progress made to date with the development of a North Wales Regional Delivery Plan for the Connect to Work Programme 2025-2030.

· To agree to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Denbighshire County Council as the lead body for North Wales.

· To agree to submit the Ynys Môn part of the North Wales Delivery Plan to Denbighshire County Council for onward submission to the DWP.

· To delegate acceptance of the Connect to Work funding agreement to the Head of Service and the Section 151 Officer.

· To enter into a grant agreement with Môn CF Ltd. to deliver the Connect to Work Programme on behalf of the Authority.

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development setting put proposed arrangements for the delivery of the Connect to Work Programme on Anglesey was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development introduced the report stating that the Connect to Work programme is a national programme and forms part of the UK’s Get Britain Working agenda. The initiative aims to get more people back into sustainable employment, particularly those with disability and health conditions, and individuals facing complex barriers to work, working in a devolved way with Welsh Government and local authorities.

The Chief Economic Development Officer explained that Denbighshire Council will act as the accountable body on behalf of the North Wales local authorities. A group of local authority officers has been established and meets fortnightly to develop the programme with the aim of submitting a Delivery Plan to the DWP for approval by the end of December 2025. The programme is scheduled to commence in January 2026 and run until March 2030. The target on Anglesey is to support 31 participants by March 2030 with the expectation that 50% will achieve a lasting job outcome. Evidence suggests that this will be challenging due to the complex needs of participants. While the overall programme model is set nationally by the DWP, delivery arrangements are left to the discretion of local authorities to reflect local circumstances.

It is proposed that the Council enters into an agreement with Môn CF to deliver the programme on Anglesey, given Môn CF’s longstanding track record as the primary provider of employment and business support services on Anglesey. Existing governance and reporting structures used for the Communities for Work Plus Programme, which is also delivered by Môn CF will be utilised to ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities and monitoring of progress. The Council and Môn CF will collaborate with Denbighshire Council in formulating and completing the Delivery Plan for Anglesey.

In response to a question about governance, the Chief Economic Development Officer confirmed that governance arrangements will mirror those in place for existing Welsh Government programmes administered by Môn CF, involving regular meetings every four to six weeks to monitor progress and processing of claims.