Decision

The Cabinet has decided to seek delegated authority for funding and procurement of adult learning services for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations were approved by the Cabinet.

summary: The decision involves seeking delegated authority to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Education for the delivery of Community Learning and Adult Skills Programme during the 2025-2026 academic year, and to procure and award contracts for adult learning services.

topline: The Cabinet has decided to seek delegated authority for funding and procurement of adult learning services for the 2025-2026 academic year.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves funding allocation and procurement of services, which can impact various stakeholders.

affected_stakeholders: ["Department of Education", "Council", "Adult learners", "Education providers"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties in the decision.

URL: https://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2439

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To seek delegated authority to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Education (DfE) for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and the Adult Skills Programme during the 2025-2026 academic year and then to procure and award a number of contracts for the provision of adult learning services.  

Content: To seek delegated authority to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Education (DfE) for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and the Adult Skills Programme during the 2025-2026 academic year and then to procure and award a number of contracts for the provision of adult learning services.   Cllr Linda Cohen sought delegated authority to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Education (DfE) for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and the Adult Skills Programme during the 2025-2026 academic year and then to procure and award a number of contracts for the provision of adult learning services   Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and RESOLVED to:       That the Cabinet delegates authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to: 1. Enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Education (DfE) under which the council shall receive £2,735,311 DfE funding for the purpose of funding the delivery of Community Learning and Adult Skills Programmes during the 2025 – 2026 academic year. 2. Conduct a competitive procurement process under each of the following Lots of the council’s existing Framework Agreement for Adult Education: Community and skills programme 2024-2026 in respect of a series of call-off contracts for the supply of adult learning programmes:   ·       First Steps   ·       Employability   ·       Adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Difficulties (ALDD)   ·       Local Flex (Responding to identified/emerging local need) Each of the above call-off contracts shall continue for a period of 1 Academic year.   3. Award, subject to the financial restrictions set out in the Resource Implications section of this report below, each of the above call-off contracts to the relevant preferred tenderer.      

Date of Decision: June 18, 2025