Issue - meetings

The Interim Assistant Director for Economic Growth introduced the report which set out that the Council had submitted a bid for £430,000 of funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) Good Growth Fund (GGF) in order support the capital costs of the proposed Tailoring Academy for London which was to be located in the borough. The Leader noted that this funding bid had been successful  and the GLA  now required the Council to enter into a funding agreement with it before the end of March. The Council would match the GLA GGF with the Council’s own New Homes Bonus funding of £225,000, which was already held by the Council.  The total funding available for the Council to invest in the capital cost of the Tailoring Academy would be £655,000. 

The report further sought authority to conclude the funding arrangements with the GLA, and  set out the justifications for the investment in the borough’s clothing industry. It also sought a delegation to officers to finalise the terms of the agreement with the GLA and Fashion Enter Limited (Fashion Enter), the Council’s preferred partner body for clothing training in the borough, subject to confirmation of terms and compliance with European state aid requirements.

The Leader noted that if the project was implemented, the Tailoring Academy was forecast to deliver the following outputs and outcomes:

552 jobs created/safeguarded - comprising:

- 50 new jobs created directly by Fashion Enter as a result of the setting up of the Tailoring Academy

- 502 jobs to be created/safeguarded in Haringey by the borough’s clothing related and manufacturing sector engaging in the project directly or indirectly

100 level 5 apprenticeships delivered under a contract with the internationally renowned Savile Row (Tailors) Bespoke Association

2,090 training places offered per year through the Tailoring Academy, consisting of:

- 630 accredited apprenticeships, with 280 at level 1, 280 at level 2,   40 at level 3,and 30 at levels 4-6

- 545 per year achieving accredited qualifications

- 502 trainees/learners progressing to work

- Non-accredited courses for 1,300 individuals

RESOLVED

1.    To give delegated authority to the interim Strategic Director for Regeneration, Planning and Development, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Sustainability and the Council’s s151 Officer in order to:

·         enter into a Good Growth Fund grant agreement with the GLA upon terms as may be set out in the GLA grant Agreement; and

·         enter into a grant agreement with Fashion Enter in respect of total capital funding of £655,000, using £430,000 of Good Growth Fund monies received from the GLA and £225,000 of the Council’s New Homes Bonus funds in order create the Tailoring Academy in Haringey and to deliver jobs, training and apprenticeships for residents of the borough and more widely across London. This is on condition that any agreement with Fashion Enter will be subject to compliance with state aid requirements as well as all GLA funding conditions.

Reasons for Decision

The primary reason for the decision is to help  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33