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go: [ GNLP / Activity & Projects / Access Centres ] ERDF Access Centres
The Access Centre Model
The local gateway for learning, providing a coordinated approach to all aspects of learning, offering all local people an introduction into the concept of learning and supporting them with clear progression pathways, to enhance life, learning and employment skills.
Background
Greater Nottingham Partnership secured just over £4m Objective 2 ERDF funding through the Indicative Financial Envelope (IFE) for the development of “Community Access Centres” for adult learning provision. The funding covers the period from now until 2006 and is available to all wards of the City of Nottingham, except Wollaton. The funding will only cover a proportion of the costs of project development, typically around 36%. The remaining costs will have to be covered from other public and private sources. Consequently, the total spend is anticipated to be in the region of £11.5m.
Partnerships were invited to submit Expressions of Interest for ERDF funding in September 2002. 10 expressions of interest were received and were assessed by the Operational and Strategic Group. The consensus of both groups was that none of the expressions of interest fitted the criteria closely enough to be recommended within the original timeframe.
It was agreed that more work needed to be done to assess what was currently on offer in each area, clarify how the vision of Access Centres would practically be achieved and identify priority areas/partnerships which could successfully deliver the objectives and targets of the bid within the timeframe. In order to do this CLES Consulting were commissioned to undertake a series of consultation events and research to pull together a strategy for the way forward. Further information on the research undertaken by CLES, including their final report, can be found by clicking on the link on the left. The subsequent report to the Adult & Community Learning Strategic Group is also available along with the minutes of the meeting.
Process
There is a general drift away from competitive bidding towards a more commissioned approach, both within GNP and other funding organisations. The Operational Group has attempted to develop an action plan approach using the needs identified through the CLES research as a basis.
This has been difficult, partly because it is a new process and partly because the needs identified lend themselves more readily to ‘revenue type’ solutions. E.g. better joining up and sharing of information between partners. As this is funding source is capital only, we have had to look at capital investment which could help to address these issues e.g. ICT infrastructure so that partners are better able to communicate. Further information on the cross area activity is available here.
The CLES research identified 3 geographical areas in need of some larger scale work. These are Area 1 (Bulwell), Area 2 (Bestwood) and Area 9 (Clifton). Activity in each of these areas is detailed below. In order to support the process of developing coherent proposals a facilitator has been identified to work alongside the lead partner to support the partnership building necessary for a successful bid. Target dates have been set to provide some focus, but the Operational Group is receiving regular reports on progress and has been flexible. |
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