Welcome to the Active Engagement bulletin on news, activities and opportunities relating to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the VCS and partners. This bulletin is distributed at the start of every month; providing a round-up of recent news and highlighting what’s coming up in the future.
For information on the role of LEPs and their relevance to your work please visit the One East Midlands policy page. Information specific to D2N2 can be found here at One East Midlands or on the D2N2 website at www.d2n2lep.org
If you would like to contact the Active Engagement Officer at D2N2 or have items of relevance to this bulletin that you would like including you can contact us at Rachel.quinn@d2n2lep.org or tel: 07551 124225.
D2N2 Social Inclusion and Equalities Advisory Group (SIAEG)
The next SIEAG meeting is due to take place on 13th December. The meeting will focus on the forthcoming opportunity to refresh the D2N2 Social Inclusion Framework in line with a refresh of the overarching Strategic Economic Plan. SIAEG will also be discussing the rollout of the Building Better Opportunities programme, changes to Skills Funding Agency contracting arrangements affecting independent providers and a forthcoming presentation on the role of the third sector in the D2N2 economy to the LEP Board.
Any comments for consideration against any of these items can be sent directly to Rachel Quinn via the contact details at the top of this bulletin.
Future of ESIF – update following the Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement provided no specific reference to ESIF funds however it did highlight a number of key points of particular interest to third sector partners including:
Unemployment now at an 11-year low
Welfare spending must remain within the cap set by Government and monitored by the OBR
Affordable housing is a ‘national priority’ with a number of measures identified.
Rural rate relief to be increased benefitting small rural businesses by up to £2900 per year
The taper rate for Universal Credit has been softened once claimants move into work but is still below the level of support previously provided under tax credits
National living wage increases and changes to national insurance thresholds will increase employer costs in the next financial year
From an ESIF perspective the feedback from Managing Authorities (DCLG and DWP) is ‘business as usual’ but with no artificial acceleration of programmes.
You can read the full D2N2 Autumn Statement Key Points Briefing here or view David Ralph’s article summarising impact for the D2N2 area on the website.
D2N2 LEP Board and ESIF Sub Committee
The D2N2 Board and ESIF Sub-Committee both met on the 17th November at the new ERDF-supported iHub at Infinity Park, Derby. Both meetings were attended by Sylvia Green, Rural Action Derbyshire (VCS Board representative) with additional third sector representation from Matthew Allbones, Derby Citizen’s Advice and Law Centre (ESIF Equalities representative) and Matthew Easter, Sustrans (ESIF Environment / Sustainability representative).
The meetings focussed on forward business planning for D2N2 (including review of the Strategic Economic Plan), progress towards ESIF implementation, developments on HS2 and the Midlands Engine. Feedback from Sylvia Green can be found here.
Launch of ESF Open Calls in D2N2
D2N2 have made more than £7m of ESF funding available for projects focussing on:
Higher Skills (graduate retention)
Enterprise, Innovation and Pathways (supporting access to careers opportunities and careers support for disadvantaged groups)
Developing Sector Growth (support for SMEs in identified growth sectors)
Applications for all programmes are open until 15th January 2017. If you missed the technical assistance launch events, more information will be made available on the D2N2 ESIF events page at http://www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding/ESIF-Events
For more information read the press release or contact D2N2 Technical assistance via Rachel Quinn (contacts at the top of the page).
SFA – Procurement Update
A large part of ESF delivery is co-financed and managed by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), including contracts for Employ Local, Careers Local, Skills Local and Youth Engagement. Procurement of these projects has now taken place however challenges to 2 of the projects have prompted a request from the D2N2 ESIF Sub-Committee to ask for a review of process by the SFA. Responses are expected imminently.
See the D2N2 news page for further announcements once they become available: http://www.d2n2lep.org/News
BBO Project Launch – Opportunity and Change (Multiple and Complex Needs)
Framework are hosting 2 workshops to mark the launch of the Opportunity and Change project funded by the Big Lottery Fund and ESF. The next event will be on 7th December at the Nottingham Contemporary, NG1 2GB at 12.30pm. To book a place please follow the link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/oppandchangenotts
ERDF Low Carbon Call Launch
An open call for projects helping area businesses take a more low carbon approach and building the strength of the low carbon technology sector has now launched. The call includes opportunities to invest ERDF funding into projects with community-level impact and benefit.
A technical assistance event specific to this call took place in Derby on 16th November. Information from the event can be found via the following link.
Second call open to the Cabinet Office Life Chances Fund
The Life Chances Fund (LCF) is an £80 million top-up fund, whose objective is to help those people in society who face the most significant barriers to leading happy and productive lives. The £80 million has been committed by central government to provide contributions to outcome payments for payment-by-results contracts, which involve socially minded investors - i.e. towards Social Impact Bonds (SIBs). These contracts must be locally commissioned and aim to tackle complex social problems.
The second call for Expressions of Interest opens 2nd January and runs until 28th February 2017. Guidance on how to apply and more information regarding social impact bonds and social investment can be found on the Life Chances Fund homepage.
Launch of the Inclusive Communities Unit - DCMS
The Government has launched an Inclusive Communities Unit based within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and linked to the Life Chances investment funds. The purpose of the unit is to develop a more inclusive UK economy that works better for all; not just a few. Specific objectives for the unit include:
Encourage better use of private investment and support markets that deliver social impact as well as financial returns
Improve delivery of public services: increasing social impact while bringing value for money in the commissioning of public services
Encourage responsible business, from social enterprise startups to companies that aim at ‘profit with purpose’
D2N2 local enterprise partnerships views the movement towards a more inclusive local economy as essential to growth in the area. As such we will be actively engaging with the Inclusive Communities Unit and would like to hear from others also involved in the agenda or considering applications to the Life Chances fund. For more information see the launch page.
South Nottinghamshire Homelessness Strategy Consultation launched
Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe Boroughs have launched a joint consultation on the development of the South Nottinghamshire Homelessness Strategy. The consultation can now be accessed through Survey Monkey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NottsHomelessnessStrategy
The consultation, which will run to 6 February, provides an opportunity for partners to input into the Strategy which will be published in Spring 2017.
Broadly, it is proposed that the Strategy is based on the following principles which will necessitate a continued effective multi-agency approach to homelessness. As such, input from third sector and inclusion partners into the strategy is crucial.
Minimising demand
Reducing the extent of crisis presentations
Delivering effective services at the point of contact
Providing appropriate accommodation options
Moving people away from homelessness
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