Decision - Application for the Interreg IVa called 'Supporting Young and Unemployed people in Port Cities'

2.1       That the Cabinet Member for Planning, Employment, Economy & Regeneration endorses the proposed city councils continuing participation in the Interreg 1Va ‘Supporting Young and Unemployed people in Port Cities’ application.  

2.2             That the Strategic Director, Place be given delegated authority to sign the final project agreement, should the application be successful.

The continuing participation in this proposal is recommended for approval as; if successful it will provide valuable additional resources with which to support the work underway to redevelop the Shoreham Port Regeneration area. The project will bring jobs, new areas of curriculum linked to growth sectors and greater levels of employer engagement.

Option one is to withdraw from the project and not continue with the activity proposed above. The impact of not taking forward the city council element of this project may mean that the City College will have to revise its planned programme of activity as some of it is predicated on having access to employers (through the Charter) to engage in curriculum development, work placement and knowledge exchange.  It may also materially damage the city council’s reputation as a future partner for regeneration projects as the remaining partners would have to revise the whole scheme.

Option two would also focus on a withdrawal from the scheme and an alternative focus on what can be achieved in this area with limited resources. While it may be possible to engage businesses in this project without the draw down of EU funds there are many elements that will be lost. For example the refit of dedicated premises on the Port; the development and role out of the Employers Charter and the ‘Meet the Buyer’ events could not be delivered with available budgets.