Decision Maker: Director of City Growth
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Having received approval in April 2019 to enter into a funding agreement with MHCLG for the delivery of the RISE Enhancement Project, the Council is now in a position to begin contracting with partners (those who have provided match funding and those we intend to commission to deliver services). Having these grant agreements in place will provide a framework for accepting grant funding from each institution.
That the Director (City Growth) authorises Sheffield City Council to:
The preferred option is to authorise SCC to progress within the expected delivery timetable and ensure the partnership can deliver an up-scaled RISE Enhancement Project to maximise the outcomes for the region. Approval of the recommendations will allow SCC to:
· Provide a secure financial basis to increase the number of local SMEs realising business benefits from the recruitment of graduates.
· Build on the success of a unique support programme across SCR by providing a 3 year programme proactively targeted to increase graduate recruitment within SMEs, create sustainable graduate level jobs and overcome barriers to business growth.
· Ensure a smooth transition and continuity of business support on offer across SCR from the existing RISE project to the new RISE Enhancement programme.
· Assist 283 SMEs across the City Region to offer graduate level employment opportunities.
· Support 198 unique SMEs to appoint graduate employees
· Deliver 113 net additional graduate level jobs.
Do Nothing If SCC does not receive approval to enter into Grant Agreements with both Universities and to receive match funding, there can be no RISE Enhancement Project and the project will not continue as the final cohort of the current contract has already been delivered. · There are no similar projects within Sheffield City Region that support SMEs to appoint graduates into full-time jobs. · Market failures would persist as individually many SCR SMEs do not have the capacity to run a comprehensive graduate recruitment process to match their specific needs. · The latent demand for graduate recruitment advice and support which is deemed a barrier to growth for SME’s would remain unaddressed. · Graduate retention rates would be adversely affected with negative productivity and economic growth implications.
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Do Less |
It is a requirement of the European Structural & Investment Funds being awarded that we have match funding from both universities to form the whole budget for this project. If we are not able to claim the European Funding, then we would have to significantly reduce the scale and remit of the programme. · Smaller scale project would mean fewer businesses supported, meaning fewer jobs created and less business growth. · The lack of available support would negatively impact on the reputation of RISE. · Value for money would be adversely affected as the model relies upon agglomeration of SME demands and benefits from operating at a level where graduate recruitment and assessment processes can be run more effectively and efficiency through economies of scale. |
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Delay If there is a prolonged delay there may be a significant break in delivery between the cessation of the current RISE programme and the start of delivery of the new RISE Enhancement Project. Steps would need to be taken to manage expectations of SME enquiries and ensure referrals to alternative support during the interim period.
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Publication date: 24/07/2019
Date of decision: 16/07/2019
Accompanying Documents: