Decision details

The Cabinet Member with the Children and Young People Portfolio introduced the report of the Chief Executive (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to a one-off investment in a range of interventions to support local young people giving them greater prospects of securing work.

The submitted report stated that youth unemployment had been a persistent problem in Darlington for many years and had increased during the pandemic; long-term youth unemployment in particular had grown significantly; a multi-agency group had been established, chaired by the Chief Executive, to consider appropriate interventions; a package of additional supports had been developed that would effectively augment existing services, delivered by a range of stakeholders, that would make a positive impact on helping young people to access employment; those interventions would help ensure that all young people were able to access quality employment opportunities; and that maximising the potential of young people was key to sustained future prosperity of Darlington.

Particular reference was made to the major successes in bringing employment to Darlington with Amazon setting up a major facility and 1700 jobs soon to be created by Government relocations.

Discussion ensued at the meeting on the use of apprentices in the Council to fill vacancies, and in particular, in those areas where there were skill shortages.  The Group Director of Operations responded thereon.

RESOLVED - That up to £70,000 of Contain Outbreak Management Funds/Covid Reserve, be released, to fund the package, as outlined in the submitted report.

REASONS – (a)  Youth unemployment had been comparatively high for years in Darlington, and had worsened as a consequence of the pandemic.

(b)  The consequence of high long-term youth unemployment would have detrimental economic and social impacts on the borough.