Issue details

Delegated authority has been granted to the Combined Authority Chief Executive to approve the Adult Education Strategy 2021-22 in consultation with the Chief Executives of the West of England constituent councils.

On 15 April 2021, indicative adult education budget allocations for the 2021-22 academic year were approved under delegated authority. Confirmation of these indicative allocations is subject to providers successfully agreeing a Curriculum Delivery Plan with the Combined Authority for the 2021/22 academic year.

To enable the Curriculum Delivery Plan process to take place for the 2021-22 academic year, an Adult Education Strategy for 2021-22 has been developed.

The strategy (see enclosed Appendix 1 for full detail):
* responds to the regional challenges and needs agreed within the Local Industrial Strategy and the associated Employment and Skills Plan.
* responds to key challenges and issues identified within analysis which constitutes the 2021-22 evidence base.
* supports the regional recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
* builds on the policy development achieved through the devolved Adult Education Budget in 2019-20 and 2020-21 (including through the mid-year growth allocations).
* responds to key challenges and issues identified within the devolved Adult Education Budget in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The Chief Executives of the WECA constituent councils were consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the decision.