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To repurpose the remaining £377.08
allocated to the 50’s + Jobs and Skills event, as
below:
To allocate £300 to part fund the Annual Harwich Innovation
Cluster Business Event which is being delivered in partnership with
Freeport East and taking place on 24th February at the Waterfront,
Harwich;
To allocate £77.08 to fund the Employment Law networking and
information event held in partnership with HR Prime on 9th March at
the Town Hall, Clacton-on-Sea.

Reasons for the decision

On 22nd July 2025, the Deputy Leader of the
Council and Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio
Holder approved the recommendation to allocate five successful
applications and to allocate a total of £69,050 in in the
People and Skills theme.
Under the theme supporting people to progress towards and into
employment, a successful application was unable to spend their full
allocation, so £1,200.00 was returned to us.
On 24th November 2025, it was therefore approved by the Deputy
Leader of the Council and Economic Growth, Regeneration &
Tourism Portfolio Holder to reallocate this funding to the
50’s + Jobs and Skills fair that took place on the 21st
January 2026 at the Sunspot.
This event has now been delivered, and has an underspend of
£377.08. This proposal sets out the intention to split this
funding between the delivery of two events; the Annual Harwich
Innovation Cluster Business Event and the Employment Law networking
and information event.
The Annual Harwich Innovation Cluster Event poses as a hub of
innovation for businesses and residents in Harwich, but more widely
the whole district of Tendring. This event will provide updates on
the latest technology and innovation advancements in the area, and
the opportunities on the horizon for skilled employees.
Additionally, the Employment Law event will focus on educating
employers on the changes to employment law, and what they can do to
support new and existing staff amid the changes.

Alternative options considered

Not reallocate the funds and return the money
to MHCLG.