1. The Liverpool City Region MAA1
The Liverpool City Region MAA
Colin Hilton
Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council
Sheena Ramsey
Chief Executive, Knowsley MBC

2. The business case Why an MAA The role of the MAA The added value
What are the
Priorities
Resources
Governance
Performance monitoring

3. The Liverpool City Region – key facts
Population of 1.5 million
Forms core of wider economic zone of influence of over 2 million people
GVA of over £17bn, 539,000 jobs and 38,000 businesses

4. Our Vision - to be a thriving international city region by 2020.
To achieve this we will need to
accelerate growth and substantially close the productivity gap with the rest of the UK and;
reduce worklessness across the Liverpool City Region, providing routes for people to move into work and progress in their jobs. 4

5. ….building on our recent renaissance
Significant public and private investment that is transforming the look, image and confidence of the City Region
Economic growth rates greater than comparator urban areas
A growing business base
Significantly enhanced cultural and tourism offer, underpinned by Liverpool 08.
Transforming our housing stock 5

6. and our opportunities
A lasting legacy from Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008
An internationally significant knowledge base
£10bn investment in Liverpool and Wirral Waters
The Mersey Gateway crossing
Expansion of Mersey Ports and John Lennon Airport
Growth in global environmental technology

7. There are significant challenges we need to overcome….
GVA gap
Currently £5,043 per capita with national levels
Business base
To reach national business density rates would require the number of businesses to increase by 75% and would take the City Region nearly 50 years
Low workforce productivity
And the gap is widening in absolute terms
Employment
Currently 68.1% compared with 74.4% nationally. To reach an 80% employment rate would require 108,000 additional people into jobs 7

8. Challenges – cont’d Deprivation Skills Declining Population Health
34.5% of SOAs in City region are inn most deprived 10% nationally
Skills
Significant numbers of people with low-level or no qualifications (20% with no qualifications)
Declining Population
Between 1981 and 2006 population fell by 10% to below 1.5million
Health
47% of City Region’s SOAs are in most deprived 10% nationally for health
Poor national image and perception
Low quality housing stock

9. How we will deliver - New City Region Governance structure (1)
City Region Leaders have committed to developing a robust City Region governance structure.
It will consist of:
City Region Cabinet and 6 Policy Boards
Economy;
Employment and Skills;
Transport;
Planning and Housing;
Environment and Waste;
Safer, Healthier Communities
2 cross cutting Boards:
Improvement and Efficiency;
Research and Information
Scrutiny Panel

10. New City Region Governance structure (2)
Progress to date: City Region Cabinet and Scrutiny Panel
Endorsement of proposals through all 6 authorities in process
Cabinet to comprise 6 LA Leaders and private sector rep (Chairman of TMP), chair to be elected for 4 years
Cabinet to meet in shadow form from October 2008
Associate members - Chairs of relevant Joint Boards and Leaders of “Associate” or neighbouring Local Authorities. Structured dialogue with regional agencies and Government
A gateway system will be used to assess what is kite-marked as a city region project or programme

11. New City Region Governance structure (3)
Progress to date cont.: City Region Cabinet and Scrutiny Panel
Scrutiny Panel to scrutinise the work of the Cabinet and Boards and the effectiveness of the partnership with the Joint Boards.
Published annual work plan for the City Region Cabinet and the scrutiny panel.
A formal constitution will be developed for the City Region and it shall become incorporated as a legal entity by 2010.

12. New City Region Governance - The Employment and Skills Board (4)
Proposed Membership
6x Local Authority leader/Cabinet Member
6x Private Sector
1x Learning and Skills Council
1x Jobcentre Plus
1x North West Regional Development Agency
1x Voluntary and Community Sector
1x Unionlearn
1x Health

13. New City Region Governance structure (5)
Next steps
Cabinet established in shadow form, development of Constitution/legally incorporated body
Develop Cabinet work programme, kite marking system, dispute resolution process, scrutiny panel and review capacity
Establish new/revise existing Boards to meet needs of governance model commencing with key Boards to deliver MAA

14. Future MAA activity Economic Development and Enterprise Housing
Transport
Supporting the economic growth of the City Region

15. Delivery and Implementation
Resources being considered/aligned
ABG/WNF
ESF and alignment of LSC and JCP+ through single Investment Framework
NWDA
LABGI
Delivery
Merseyside Information Service
Merseyside Improvement and Efficiency Resources
CES and additional partner resources
LSP capacity building Programme

16. Timetable and next steps
Individual Local Authority endorsement of MAA in October
Shadow cabinet in October and continued development of Boards
Development of remaining themes of MAA October – December
Targeting and performance March 09
Negotiation January – March 2009
Submission April 2009

17. Discussion

18. Employment and Skills
Sheena Ramsey
Knowsley MBC

19. Employment and Skills Scale of the Challenge:
LCR employment rate of 68.1% compared to 74.4% nationally
Almost 175,000 residents claiming out of work benefits; 50% claiming a benefit for 5+ years
More than one in three (37%) working age adults without NVQ level 2 qualification
Deeply entrenched nature of worklessness and communities disconnected from the economy
Low aspirations – families and young people
Too many young people are NEET (11.2%) compared to NW average (9.5%)

20. Employment and Skills Key Issues:
Complex landscape – funds, targets, delivery agencies
Diverse but fragmented range of provision
Multiple management and governance arrangements
Links between services need strengthening
Some duplication, we need more effective use of resources
Residents and employers face a confusing range of options
From 2010 new planning arrangements for young people and adult skills provision

21. Employment and Skills Our Approach:
Strengthening employer representation and demand for skills
Delivering an integrated package of services based on a continuum model of employment and skills provision
Working collectively to align and co-commission mainstream resources at the local level
Adding value to the core offer using discretionary funding (ESF, ERDF, NWDA, Area Based Grant)
Changing provider behaviour
Acting as a test bed for new Government initiatives

22. The Employment and Skills Continuum
Information,
Diagnosis
Signposting
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT & DEMAND
CITY REGION
MERSEYSIDE
LOCAL
Sectors
Major / volume recruitment
An SME programme
Existing support to businesses + better integration
Business champions for specific areas
Pre
employment
support
Transition
into work
Retention
Skill building
and
progression
NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL
LOCAL AUTHORITY DISTRICT LEVEL
NEIGHBOURHOOD / WARD / LSOA
Integrated with housing market renewal, local investment,
neighbourhood renewal
Information, advice, guidance
Local
targeting,
outreach &
engagement
Major / Volume Recruitment
An SME Programme
BUILDING STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITY

23. Employment and Skills Our Proposals (1):
Establish LCR Employment and Skills Board by April 2009
Secure legal status by 2010
Develop an Employment and Skills Strategy by June 2009
Agree shared priorities, common framework of targets
LCR commissioning plan informs Government and local contracting arrangements
Recognised as the joint ESF co-financing plan post 2010
Join up provision on the ground
Simplify delivery arrangements
Geography - LCR is a single area for JCP commissioning
Align commissioning cycles, contract practices, reporting mechanisms

24. Employment and Skills Our Proposals (2):
Work with Government to shape the way future contracts operate in our area and to co-commission bespoke services, eg:
Flexible New Deal
Skills Accounts trials and their further development
Additional provision for Incapacity Benefit “stock” clients
No wrong door approach to information, advice and guidance for people in work and seeking work

25. Employment and Skills Our Proposals (3): Improve data sharing
Better access to non disclosure DWP data, GIS
Agree memorandum of understanding with JCP for data asks
Signpost employer vacancy information to skills brokers
Share provider performance data
Stimulate employer demand
Engage employers in the design of route ways to employment for local residents and curriculum development for young people
Track the employer journey from recruitment to retention and career progression to support supply side interventions
Use Board Members to champion the Local Employment Partnership and Skills Pledge

26. Employment and Skills Our Offer to Government: Joint investment
Strategic Investment Framework c£80m ( )
£17m additional ESF
Review where Area Based Grant, European and NWDA funding can support these proposals
Articulating employer demand
Strong private sector voice on Board
Public sector represents 40% of employer base
Proactive engagement with existing business infrastructure eg Chambers, Employer Coalition, sector networks

27. Employment and Skills Outcomes and Targeting:
Adding value by simplifying the offer to individuals and employers
Prioritisation by geography and client group
Accelerated programmes of intervention to meet specific LCR needs
Minimise duplication or displacement
Work in progress to quantify outcomes; this must be set in the context of the current economic downturn
Employment rate
Reduction in out of work benefit claimants
Increasing skill levels

28. Discussion