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New Anglia Skills Advisory Panel Meeting
18th November 2021
Via Microsoft Teams
MINUTES OF MEETING
In attendance:
Catherine Richards, East Norfolk 6th Form
(CR)
Christine Futter, Norfolk and Suffolk Care
Support (CF)
Claire Cullens, New Anglia LEP Board and
SAP Chair (CC)
Clarke Willis, Swallow Barns (CW)
Cllr Rachel Hood, Suffolk County Council
(RH)
Corrienne Peasgood, City College Norwich
(CP)
David Pomfret, College of West Anglia
(DP)
Glen Todd, New Anglia LEP (GT)
Guy Hazlehurst, EDF (GH)
Jan Feeney, Norfolk County Council (JF)
Jason Parnell, Steadfast Training (JP)
Julia Nix, DWP (JN)
Lucy Walker, ESFA (LW)
Michael Gray, Suffolk County Council (MG)
Natasha Waller, New Anglia LEP (NW)
Richard Bridgman, Warren Services (RB)
Stuart Smith, People with Energy (SS)
Viv Gillespie, Suffolk New College (VG)
Yvonne Mason, The Mason Trust (YM)
Visitors:
Ed Shorthouse, New Anglia LEP (ES)
Laraine Moody, West Suffolk College (LM)
Polly Bridgman, University of Suffolk (PB)
Simon Papworth, New Anglia LEP (SP)
Apologies:
Adrian Orr, Suffolk County Council (AO)
Chris Gribble, Writers’ Centre Norwich
(CG)
Cllr Stuart Clancy, Norfolk County Council
(SC)
David Gartland, Abbeygate 6th Form (DG)
Dayle Bayliss, Dayle Bayliss Associates
(DB)
Helen Langton (Professor), University of
Suffolk (HL)
Karen Gibson, Norfolk County Council (KG)
Karin Porter, Norfolk County Council (KP)
Nikos Savvas, West Suffolk College (NS)
Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber of
Commerce (NF)
Paul Simon, Suffolk Chamber of
Commerce (PS)
Richard Self, agricultural representative
(RS)
Seb Gasse, NCC (SG)
Stuart Rimmer, East Coast College (SR)
Tom Brown, Green Light Trust (TB)
Tom Humphries, Norfolk County Council
(TH)
Tracey Cox, ESFA (TC)
Vince Muspratt, Norfolk County Council
(VP)
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Item 1: Welcome and Minutes
Claire Cullens welcomed everyone to the meeting and commented that yet again ‘it has been
a year like no other!’ Key memories/highlights include:
- Community renewal announcement
- Kickstart
- Increased industry council links
- Local MPs recognising us in their recent skills debate
- Honours/awards & accolades to individuals or organisations
- Our first Local Skills Report
- Opening of new teaching facilities
- CC thanked all members for their ongoing contribution! Lack of funding and delays in
bid appraisals have been challenging but we have some great skills projects funded
through CRF The LSIP /SDF bid process demonstrates how we can come together
quickly as one team- although disappointing not to be funded.
The minutes were reviewed and approved. All actions had been followed up.
Item 2: Economic Data & DWP Update
SP gave an economic update and overview. Currently the region is faring relatively well in
comparison to other areas but he is being mindful that this may change. Our underlying
levels of productivity and competitiveness are slipping behind the national average.
We need to regularly flag up to Government that being including in data covering the East
results in figures implying that we are doing OK when in fact many of our areas are facing
challenges.
Labour and skills shortages exist so we need to look to leverage in innovation and
automation. The impact of Brexit and withdrawal of government support packages is not
fully recognised as yet.
There are unprecedented rising costs of materials for goods & services together with supply
chain challenges.
Furlough and price rises may not have fully hit all our data sources to date. We are below the
UK Competitiveness Index. We rank 30th out of 47 - Great Yarmouth has the lowest figures
whilst West Suffolk is the closest to the UK average but still below the national average.
Therefore, this should indicate that we need levelling up money.
Monthly vacancy postings continue to rise. Inflation is also increasing and currently stands at
4.2%.
JN explained that there is a reduction of customers looking for work. Kickstart is starting to
see some rewards and there is a push to fill the current vacancies before the scheme closes.
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Restart is supporting those out of work for over 12 months. It is a mandatory programme.
2142 starts to date locally. JETS and JFS are voluntary schemes. There is still a significant
number of people on Universal Credit but undertaking some work.
GH made the comment that there will be a recruitment challenge if there is another large
infrastructure project as there are currently shortages for Hinkley. Government need to look
at the national picture.
Debate was had about the willingness of people wanting to take up job opportunities.
ACTION: NW to circulate slides with the minutes.
Item 3: Renewal/Economic Plan
CC explained that the Renewal Plan is now known as the Economic Plan. It has the SAP four
objectives in the document but they are not using our usual narrative as the plan is for a
wider audience than the SAP.
SP & NW gave an overview of the aim of the plan, our strategic opportunities, current
situation with our sectors on a very high level and proposed next steps.
There was some discussion around:
- how we are collaborating with other LEPs
- the contention between infrastructure projects v net zero
- need for greater recognition of L4 and 5 qualifications, not just L6
- potential implications of the Skills Bill
- automation
- Health & Wellbeing and a strengthened narrative around the VCSE involvement.
ACTION: Any additional comments to LEP colleagues by November 26th –
Item 4: Next Steps for SAP
NW, MG & JF gave a presentation on what they believe SAP to be, how it works, how it links
with other groups and reporting structures and what the expectations on members are.
Points were raised around:
- Need for more communication moving forwards
- Voice of schools, particularly if there is a clear need
- Amplify place
- Link with sector groups and LSIPs – support, not replicate
- Greater utilisation of the members
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ACTION: Any additional comments to CC or NW.
Item 6: AOB and next meeting
NW explained that the LEP are currently updating the Local Skills Reports on a ‘light touch
basis’ following guidance from DfE. Members will be asked to review a draft at some point in
December.
GT gave an update on the plans for the Norfolk Skills & Careers Festival. It is hoped that
there will be an event on the 9th and 10th March. The RNAA have invited SAA to join them as
the October 2020 and 21 events couldn’t go ahead. Suffolk schools and employers will be
invited so hopefully it will provide good coverage of the LEP area.
Next meeting: January 21st from 10am.
