Issue - meetings

The Board received a report that provided an update on the work being undertaken in response to the Recession.

At present an Action Plan was being developed based on the analysis of information collected via the Recession Dashboard.  Among the key indicators used to obtain a picture of the impact that the Recession was having in Haringey were Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Claim Rates, average house prices, the ILO unemployment rate, eligibility for free school meals and the level of repossession of homes. These showed that, generally, Haringey was demonstrating a greater degree of resilience than many other parts of the country and London.

The Board was advised that, based on the indicators set out above, Haringey was not experiencing any greater impact than the rest of London or England as a result of the Recession. In terms of employment it was noted that the full impact of the Recession may not be felt until the next Government Spending Review in Spring 2010.

In response to a query the Board was advised that it was unlikely that the target with respect to the Claimant Count for Unemployment would be met due to the calculation used.  There had been discussion with GOL on revising the calculation used; however, the proposals put forward were rejected.

The Board was advised that a bid had now been submitted on behalf of the Partnership to the Jobs Fund. If successful a total of two-hundred and twenty-one jobs would be created.

It was requested that the figure stated with respect to ?? was checked as it appeared to be ?

It was noted that apprenticeship schemes were an important tool in helping people into employment and the Board was advised that the Council was expanding the number of apprenticeships available as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.  In addition Homes for Haringey were also offering a further five apprenticeship places this year.

The Board noted that the economic downturn had seen a broader range of people applying for apprenticeships and that this clearly reflected the change in people’s circumstances. There was agreement that whilst this was not a negative development the impact of this upon young people should be monitored.

It was noted that during 2010/11 and 2011/12 the Public Sector was likely to see very significant reductions in the money available and that the Partnership would need to consider how it would prepare for this over the coming months.

There was also agreement that the Partnership should form a Recovery Plan to address how longer term issues arising from the Recession would be addressed. Although figures showed that there had been a lower than expected increase in the rate of unemployment in the east of the Borough this was largely because this was already very high.  Consequently a greater level of support was likely to be required than in the west of the Borough where people were better equipped to take advantage of the opportunities being offered.

The Board was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 181