To approve the submission of applications to European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for a Tilbury-based programme tackling barriers to employment and entrenched deprivation and social challenges, with total value £6.6m of which £3.3m will be from European Funding, and £3.3m from a variety of match funding identified with delivery partners.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration presented the report to Members and in doing so, highlighted the following:

·         Community Led Local Development (CLLD) focused on the areas with high levels of deprivation and the two Tilbury wards. Tilbury St Chads, Tilbury Riverside & Thurrock Park had been identified as having amongst the highest levels of deprivation in the borough; and

·         At the same time providing a contiguous area that included significant and emerging employment opportunities through the expansion of Tilbury Port.

Councillor Coxshall commented that the 5 strategic actions of the strategy were:

·         Supporting local people to access local jobs.

·         Tackling the barriers facing people furthest from the labour market.

·         Stimulating local businesses, SME’s, micro-enterprises and social enterprises.

·         Improving local infrastructure for residents and businesses.

·         Encouraging local civic action, pride and volunteering as routes into work.

The Leader commented that volunteering was not an easy option however it could assist with gaining employment.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet noted the priorities and strategic actions identified within the CLLD strategy; and

2.    Given in principle approval that the Council takes on the role of the Accountable Body in the full applications to the EU funding streams. 

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in