Decision details

Multiply - National Numeracy programme

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To provide an overview of the national numeracy programme Multiply and the role of Staffordshire County Council as Lead Authority. To seek approval for the distribution and allocation of funds.

Decisions:

“The Multiply programme nationally is aimed at approximately 17million adults or half of the working age population who do not have strong numeracy skills. It will support those adults to develop numeracy skills for the future.

 

Improving numeracy skills can help in everyday life, whether at work, managing household finances, or helping children with their homework. It can also help career prospects, whatever your line of work.

 

Many people are not confident about their numeracy skills including some in top professions. That is why we’d encourage anyone who feels like they could improve to find out more about our Multiply programme.

 

The county council secured £4.2million to deliver targeted, easy to access and straightforward courses to enable more adults to achieve maths qualifications, improve employment chances and increase numeracy across Staffordshire’s population.”

 

Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Economy and Skills

 

Reasons for the Decision – To consider delegating to the Director of Economy, Infrastructure & Skills, in consultation, with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, authority to mobilise the Multiply project, which aims to increase the levels of functional numeracy in the adult population across the UK quickly, with provision to formally commence in October 2022.

 

Decision – (a) That the purpose of Multiply be noted.

 

(b) That it be agreed that the Director of Economy, Infrastructure & Skills, in consultation, with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, be given delegated authority to:

 

            i.        authorise the Council to enter into an agreement (Accountable Body Agreement) with the Department for Education formalising the Council’s role as Lead Authority for Multiply.

 

          ii.        authorise the Council to enter into an individual grant funding agreement (Grant Agreement) following appraisal and prioritisation of applications for Funding with each of the identified Providers best placed to meet our strategic priorities.

 

         iii.       authorise that the Assistant Director for Skills & Employability be given delegated authority to approve any formal variations or extensions required to the Accountable Body Agreement or to the individual Grant Agreements based on performance or changes in Multiply Guidance.

 

Report author: Amanda Darlington

Publication date: 22/09/2022

Date of decision: 21/09/2022

Decided at meeting: 21/09/2022 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/09/2022

Accompanying Documents: