Decision details

To seek approval to commission English Language development initiatives that will enable and support adults and families to integrate within the North East and East communities of Sheffield.

That the Executive Director, People Services:

1.    Approve the delivery of the grant funding for services to the value of £200,000 from a total sum of £272,524 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local government for the year 2019/2020,

2.    Approve the procurement of the services in accordance with the Contract Standing Orders and Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015,

3.    Delegates authority to the Director of lifelong Skills Council (LLSC), in consultation with the Director of Legal Services and the Assistant Director for commercial Services to agree and award contracts following procurement.

Sheffield City Council has been working hard to become an inclusive city and has been recognised as a City of Sanctuary since 2007.  It takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety.

This project will further this aspiration and contribute by helping to deliver English language skills for new arrivals thus supporting integration and helping towards community cohesion.

The project and the funding will help the Council and the Government trial and pilot approaches that could help build an understanding of how to address issues/impacts of migration, particularly in the context of English language development.

1.    Grant Route – rejected due to the functional intention in developing the schedules of work being more contract oriented.

2.    Direct Delivery by SCC Staff – rejected due to lack of existing capacity and expertise within the current staffing structure.