Agenda and minutes

(A period not exceeding 20 minutes for questions and statements from

members of the public and Elected Members to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones. Questions/Statements should relate specifically to an item of business on the agenda and be limited to a maximum of 100 words. As stated within Executive Procedure Rule 3.3 each person will be allowed to submit one question/statement per meeting.A question may only be asked if notice has been given by delivering it in writing or by e-mail to the Governance Team no later than 5.00 p.m. of the third working day before the day of the meeting. Each question or statement must give the name and address of the person submitting it. Questions/Statements should be sent to the Governance Team, Floor 2, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU, or by email to Democratic.Services@doncaster.gov.uk)

Councillor Nick Allen asked Mayor, Ros Jones, the following question:-

'My question relates to Agenda Item 8, the St Leger Homes Management Agreement Review. The report highlights several excellent reasons to maintain the existing arrangements so that St Leger Homes can continue to deliver housing services in Doncaster. Item 21 explains the good work of St Leger Homes and the WOW offer. While I have no doubt this scheme is excellent and reflects positively on St Leger Homes, DMBC and those who undertake it, I am concerned about the use of voluntary unpaid work experience placements for adults. I would like to know if there could be any way of paying people who successfully complete the eight week placement? Could this happen in future?'

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones provided the following response:-

“SLHDs unpaid work experience opportunities are just one element of a range of opportunities they provide to enable their customers to gain work experience. Where they provide support and learn contracts, which last for 6 months, these are paid employment.  The work experience scheme provides real opportunities for individuals to try different areas of work and gain important work experience, typically up to 16 hours a week for up to 8 weeks.

Because the work experience is unpaid, it doesn’t affect a participant’s benefits, and as the DWP are aware of the experience being provided, they will contribute to travel costs and arrange Job Centre contact around the work experience. The voluntary aspect of World of Work (WOW) and the work experience is important, because otherwise it could be seen as a ‘sector based work academy’ which would make attendance mandatory, with potential benefit sanctions for non-attendance. Former WOW participants have told SLHD that this was a barrier to them joining other schemes.

It is therefore felt that the option of being paid for the work experience is likely to have a material impact upon a person’s benefits and SLHD have found that the prospect of benefits being affected can be real barrier for some potential participants”.

Decision records dated 19th June, 2018, be noted.