Key information
Decision type: Mayor
Reference code: MD1661
Date signed:
Decision by: Boris Johnson, Former Mayor of London (May 2008 - May 2016)
Executive summary
This MD seeks Mayoral approval of the GLA Team London Team’s 2016-17 work programme of up to a maximum of £532,000.
In addition, it also seeks approval of the Enterprise Adviser programme to be funded from up to £500,000 in external income over two year 2016-17 and 2017-18 to support the expansion.
GLA officers will ensure that break clauses are in place in order should a new Mayor wish to review or stop some of the proposed activities.
Decision
That the Mayor approves:
1. Expenditure of up to a maximum of £532,000 for the Team London core work programme 2016-17 as detailed within this paper.
2. The Team London Enterprise Adviser Programme and receipt and associated expenditure of up to £500,000 to be funded from external income over the next two financial years.
Part 1: Non-confidential facts and advice
1.1 Team London is the Mayor of London’s volunteering programme for London. The overarching objectives of which are as follows: to make volunteering easier and improve its profile; to inspire the next generation of volunteers; to support and champion the third sector; and to welcome the world to London. All of our initiatives focus on convening the sectors for the good of London’s communities, and ensuring skills are developed and shared through volunteering.
1.2 To date Team London has a database of nearly 150,000 volunteers, works with 1,700 charities, over 300,000 young people and 1,600 schools.
1.3 As a part of the Team London programme, the Enterprise Adviser initiative is part of a national scheme matching business volunteers with teachers in schools to support careers education. Team London deliver the programme in London, working with the LEP and the Education team to link it to the wider London Ambitions programme.
1.4 The Team London programme supports delivering the Mayor’s volunteering objective to build a legacy from the 2012 Games, mobilising all Londoners to do great things for their city, and supports the Mayor’s 2020 vision on equipping Londoners with the jobs and skills to compete in a global marketplace.
2.1 This programme funding will contribute to the following:
• The delivery of the next generation of volunteers
• Communications and marketing to grow and maintain the volunteer database
• Delivery of the Visitor Welcome programme
• Third sector support and recognition
• Delivery of a programme of activity as European Volunteering Capital
The receipt of external income to support the extension of the Enterprise Adviser programme will support the delivery of the London Ambitions strategy and our skills-based volunteering agenda.
The context, outcomes and allocation of funding is detailed in the table below:
3.1 Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities are enshrined within the GLA’s programmes and activities according to the Mayor’s Framework for Equal Life Chances (June 2014). The framework aims to bring Londoners together rather than dividing them. It promotes outcomes for a diverse range of communities that seek to bring real changes to the quality of life for all Londoners. The Team London projects and programmes stem from our current work which aims to enable all Londoners to engage in volunteering.
3.2 Our projects particularly promote equal life chances, working with young people to connect them with the world of work and prevent unemployment, working with the ageing population to prevent social isolation in later years and recognising volunteers from every area in London through our Awards ceremony.
3.3 The Enterprise Adviser programme’s aim is to ensure a better consistency of careers education across all areas for children of all backgrounds. By scaling the programme across London we would enable this programme to be offered equally to all.
4.1 Key risks and issues
4.1.1 Delays in undertaking any of the activities listed above (due to not having budgets or agreements in place) are likely to lead to an interruption in service provision that may have a negative reputational impact on the Mayor. Mitigation: The timelines and expected costs for all activities have been reviewed. Team London maintains a programme plan and risk register to flag any issues and monitor risks and mitigations.
4.1.2 The Visitor Welcome programme requires planning permission to use the different sites in London for the pods, it is assumed that this will come through as we are using the same sites as last year. We can deploy the programme without the pod if absolutely necessary.
4.1.3 These programmes are the continuation of existing work and resources are in place within the Team London team to manage these programmes, beyond the extension of our temporary third sector resource which is covered in this funding.
4.1.4 The Mayor’s Fund for London are in the final stages of securing the matched funding to enable the Enterprise Adviser programme to scale. We will only receive the Careers and Enterprise Company funding and enter into any grant arrangements with the Mayor’s Fund for London once this funding is secure and in writing. The Careers and Enterprise Company know that this is our intention and are comfortable with this approach.
4.2 Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities
4.2.1 The Team London 2016-17 work programme and the expansion of the Enterprise Adviser programme will contribute towards:
• The efficient and effective delivery of Mayoral commitments specifically commitments to volunteering, skills and employment.
• The Enterprise Adviser programme will also contribute to the delivery of the wider London Ambitions strategy led by the LEP and the Education and Youth team.
4.3 Impact Assessments and consultations
4.3.1 We consult relevant groups when undertaking any new programmes e.g. the Enterprise Adviser programme, we sought consultation through focus groups from teachers, the LEP, businesses, HR professionals and young people. We are now forming an Advisory Board for the programme to ensure we have the voice of all relevant parties shaping the programme as we expand.
5.1 Approval is being sought for total expenditure of a total £1,032,000 made of the following:
- the principal investment expenditure of up to £532,000 in 2016-17 for the projects highlighted below:
A total net budget of £857,000 was awarded to Team London for the 2016/2017 programme budget.
It should be noted that £325,000 of this is funding Volunteering into Work as per 4.3 and this has already been approved through MD1612.
B) The receipt and expenditure of up to £500,000 from external funding from the Careers and Enterprise Company spread over two years, 2016-17 and 2017-18 to support the expansion of the Enterprise Adviser initiative i.e. approximately £250,000 for 2016/2017 and £250,000 for 2017/2018 year.
5.5 Any changes to this proposal, including budgetary implications will be subject to further approval via the Authority’s decision-making process. All appropriate budget adjustments will be made.
6.1. The proposals set out in this paper fall within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things as may be considered to promote, or be facilitative of or conducive to the promotion of economic development and social improvement in Greater London.
6.2. In formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers should comply with the Authority’s related statutory duties to:
a) pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;
b) consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of the health of persons and the reduction of health inequalities between persons in Greater London, and contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and
c) consult with appropriate bodies.
6.3. Section 1 above indicates that the contribution of funding amounts to the provision of grant funding and not payment for works, supplies or services. Officers must ensure that:
a) the funding is distributed fairly, transparently, in accordance with the GLA’s equalities and in manner which affords value for money in accordance with the Contracts and Funding Code; and
b) appropriate funding agreements are put in place between and executed by the GLA and the recipients of the funding before any commitment to fund is made.
6.4. If the proposed funding and programme period extend beyond the current Mayoral term officers must also observe the principle that an incumbent administration should not unreasonably fetter the discretion of any future administration, ensuring that all of the funding and contract documentation contain provisions enabling the GLA to terminate at any point for convenience and milestones and payments should be structured so as to minimise the impact of the exercise of such termination rights.
6.5. Appropriate agreements for the required services should be put in place between GLA and the successful bidder(s) before commencement of any services.
6.6. Any services required must be procured by Transport for London Procurement who will determine the detail of the procurement strategy to be adopted in accordance with the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code.
Signed decision document
MD1661 Team London work programme (signed) PDF