Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy on the proposed amendment (to be introduced via the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025) giving additional funding powers under Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to the West Midlands Combined Authority. Appendices to the report provided: a List of Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 2 and Level 3; the West Midlands Combined Authority paper describing the proposed changes to the WMCA Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018; and the Proposed changes to the West Midlands Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018.

Adult Education functions were currently funded by the Secretary of State for Education under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”). This report:

•  Outlined the Department of Education’s planned amendment to Adult Education functions, enabling the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to fund a new suite of high-quality technical qualifications through its Adult Skills Fund (ASF) from August 2025; and

•  Sought the City Council’s approval to the proposed amendment (to be introduced via the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025) giving additional funding powers under Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to the WMCA.

The Secretary of State had power under s105A Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to transfer functions to Combined Authorities and under s19 of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to transfer functions to Combined County Authorities.

In accordance with the provisions of section 105B of the 2009 Act, the Department of Education required formal approval from each Combined Authority, including each of their constituent authorities, before it proceeded with the Parliamentary process to transfer the additional funding power. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)  Approves:

a)  The changes to be made to the West Midlands Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018 as shown by way of track changes in Appendix 3 to the report; and

b)  The provision of formal consent to the laying of the Statutory Instrument in Parliament to bring into effect the changes contained in recommendation a) above.

2)  Delegates authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, following consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, the Director of Law and Governance, and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to approve the specific drafting of the Order.