MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

economic and commercial development overview and scrutiny committee

Tuesday 27 January 2015

REPORT OF research and performance officer

Report prepared by Sam Bailey 

1.           twilight economy review

1.1        Issue for Consideration

1.1.1   At the meeting of 23 December 2014, the Economic and Commercial Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved to hold a scoping meeting for a possible review into Careers Advice and Guidance in the borough.

1.2        Recommendation of the Research and Performance Officer           

1.2.1   It is recommended that the Committee review the draft scope for the review and suggest changes as appropriate.

1.2.2   It is recommended that the Committee interview the witnesses to gather evidence for the review.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The draft scoping document (Appendix A) has been drawn up by a working party of Committee members. As the Committee has a short period of time to carry out the review, the first set of witnesses have been invited to this meeting.

1.3.2   Rajmund Brent is attending this meeting as a witness to give evidence from Kent County Council’s Skills and Employability Department. The committee may wish to ask the following questions of Rajmund:

·         What is the role of Kent County Council regarding careers advice and guidance provision?

·         What activities do Kent County Council currently undertake around careers advice and guidance?

·         Is the quality of provision of careers advice and guidance sufficient in Maidstone?

·         Is the level of provision of careers advice and guidance sufficient in Maidstone?

·         What careers advice and guidance is available to those outside of school age, and what is available to those who are not in full time education anymore?

·         Is there any best practice from elsewhere that may be useful to adopt in Maidstone?

1.3.3   A representative from Jobcentre Plus will be available to attend a later meeting on this review.

1.3.4   A careers fair is being held on 26 March, organized by Kent County Council. If the committee wishes, a field trip can be organized to this fair in order to feed into the review.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Committee could choose not to interview the witnesses, but this would make it difficult to carry out the review of Careers Advice and Guidance.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   This review has an impact on the following corporate objectives:

·         For Maidstone to have a growing economy; and

·         For Maidstone to be a decent place to live.

1.6        Relevant Documents

1.6.1   Appendices

Appendix A: Careers Advice and Guidance Review Draft Scope

1.6.2   Background Documents

None

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ……………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..