Decision details

Aspire Sussex, an independent, charitable, social enterprise, has been providing Adult Education and training on behalf of West Sussex County Council for six years. It provides training and support for skills and adult community-based learning under contract and funded through an annual grant to the County Council from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

The current contract is in the first of two possible extension periods (decision OKD01 (20/21) refers). The initial contract extension period comes to an end at the end of the academic year 2021-22. The County Council has explored options for alternative adult education and community based learning and skills provision within the County but has not identified comparable service offers. It is therefore proposed to extend the contract with Aspire for a further year during which options will be explored for the future delivery of Adult Education. Some changes to contractual terms and arrangements for contract management and support to the service are also being confirmed.

The Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills has approved the extension of the Education and Skills Funding Agency Adult Education contract to Aspire Sussex for the period of a further year until August 2023 pending a revisiting of soft market testing to assess future long-term options.

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