URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2428

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills (Cllr Garry Wall)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: West Sussex County Council’s Adult Learning Service, situated within the Communities Directorate, commissions and delivers adult skills and learning provision funded primarily through grant allocations from the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, alongside other current and future government funding streams and initiatives.   The Council currently operates an Adult Learning and Skills Framework, established in 2024, to support commissioning across a range of programmes including Adult Skills Fund provision, Free Courses for Jobs, Skills Bootcamps, Tailored Learning and 16 to 19 Study Programmes.   West Sussex County Council has been invited to participate in the Government’s Pathway to Devolution pilot for Academic Year 2026/27. The pilot is intended to support transition towards devolved Adult Skills Fund responsibilities and provides additional formula-funded allocation of monies for delivery to participating Local Authorities.   East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council have also indicated their intention to participate in the pilot and have requested support from West Sussex Adult Learning Service to access a compliant route to market to support commissioning of provision. The existing West Sussex Framework does not permit access by partner authorities therefore authority is sought to commence a procurement process to establish a new Framework that could be utilised pan-Sussex for the commissioning of Adult Learning and Skills.

Content: West Sussex County Council’s Adult Learning Service, situated within the Communities Directorate, commissions and delivers adult skills and learning provision funded primarily through grant allocations from the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions, alongside other current and future government funding streams and initiatives.   The Council currently operates an Adult Learning and Skills Framework, established in 2024, to support commissioning across a range of programmes including Adult Skills Fund provision, Free Courses for Jobs, Skills Bootcamps, Tailored Learning and 16 to 19 Study Programmes.   West Sussex County Council has been invited to participate in the Government’s Pathway to Devolution pilot for Academic Year 2026/27. The pilot is intended to support transition towards devolved Adult Skills Fund responsibilities and provides additional formula-funded allocation of monies for delivery to participating Local Authorities.   East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council have also indicated their intention to participate in the pilot and have requested support from West Sussex Adult Learning Service to access a compliant route to market to support commissioning of provision. The existing West Sussex Framework does not permit access by partner authorities therefore authority is sought to commence a procurement process to establish a new Framework that could be utilised pan-Sussex for the commissioning of Adult Learning and Skills. The Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills has approved: (1) The commencement of a procurement process to establish a new open, multi-lotted Adult Learning and Skills Framework: 2026-2034 for the commissioning of post-16 and post-19 learning, skills and training provision, for a period of up to 8 years. (2) The inclusion of East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council as named authorities on the Framework. (3) The delegation of authority to the Executive Director of Communities to award places on the framework at the conclusion of the procurement process, in accordance with the evaluation and tender requirements described and within the financial parameters set out in this report, to providers who meet the required criteria. This delegation is to include any subsequent awards relating to these contracting arrangements throughout the Framework duration, subject to affordability within the limits of planned budgets and relevant external funding requirements. None declared.

Date of Decision: April 1, 2026