Issue - meetings

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

1. Withdraw the pilot project proposal/funding bids

None

Opportunity to secure 100% external funding for the project would be lost.

Loss of existing staff would lead to inability to draw down complementary Supporting People Programme funding.

Redundancy costs incurred for existing staff.

Lancashire LAA 2006/2009 reward targets and funding would be unaffected but there would be increased likelihood that the local contribution towards LAA 2008/2011 targets would  not be achieved with possible impact on reward funding

2. Endorse the project funding bid to the LDLSP (and the Supporting People funding bid) and proceed with the pilot project proposal leading to full implementation if funding is secured.

Provides continuity of employment for existing staff in the Integrated Support Team.

This would allow the project to work within the priority super output areas, the most deprived wards, to help disadvantaged households gain sustainable long term employment.

No requirement for City Council match funding.

Contribution to LAA target to reduce worklessness.

Sharing of housing-led approach with other authorities.

Sustainability of the project beyond the 2-year pilot phase likely to be dependent on other sources of funding (eg European Social Fund).

Risks associated with project implementation including appointment of staff, achievement of outputs

Option

Advantages

Disadvantages

Risks

1. Do nothing ie do not take lead in appropriate actions identified in the ESO Thematic Group Action Plan

No impact on staff time and other priorities

ESO Thematic Group Action Plan not fully implemented

Failure to achieve draft 2009/10 Corporate Plan priority

Lancashire LAA 2006/2009 reward targets and funding not affected but local contribution towards achieving LAA 2008/2011 reward targets related to worklessness minimised

2. Take active lead in appropriate actions identified in the ESO Thematic Group Action Plan, including establishing Work Group

Draft 2009/10 Corporate Plan priority addressed

Firm base established for development of initiatives to address worklessness through joint working

Significant staff time potentially required – possibly up to half a full time equivalent post in the short/medium term.

There is a risk that insufficient staff time would be available to support the full range of actions and the Work Group.  In this event administrative support could be required but it may be possible to seek appropriate resources through the LDLSP.