Purpose

The Lancashire Combined County Authority
(LCCA) devolution deal includes devolution of the Adult Skills Fund
(ASF).  The LCCA approved the Lancashire
ASF Strategic Skills Plan earlier in the year. As per the
Lancashire ASF Strategic Skills Plan, the intention is to allocate
ASF via a mix of grants and service contracts, as is the case in
other Combined/Combined County Authority areas.  This paper focuses on the procurement process to
award service contracts for ASF delivery and considers a more
integrated approach which will support the procurement of wider
skills provision.
 
This paper outlines the procurement strategy
options for Adult Skills Fund (ASF) and recommends the
establishment of an open framework which will give the LCCA a
flexible, integrated and future proofed solution across skills
programmes (currently ASF and Skills Bootcamps) and the potential
for any further devolved skills funds in the future.
 
The paper also seeks delegated authority to
support the laying of the statutory instrument in November 2025
which will enable the devolution of ASF to the LCCA.

Content

The Lancashire Combined County Authority
approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.