The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Employment and Skills Board met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss the devolution of adult skills funding and the appointment of new co-opted members. Key decisions included the continuation of the Skills Bootcamp programme until July 2027 and the approval of two new non-voting members for the Board.

Adult Skills Funding Devolution

The Board discussed the devolution of adult skills funding, specifically focusing on the continuation of the Greater Lincolnshire Skills Bootcamp programme. It was decided that the programme would continue until July 2027. Authority was delegated to the Chief Operating Officer to allocate the received Skills Bootcamp funding, in consultation with the Chairman of the Employment and Skills Board and the Mayor. This decision is subject to budget approval and a funding decision by the Authority on 25 February 2026. The continuation of the programme through a service level agreement with Lincolnshire County Council was also endorsed.

During the discussion, members welcomed the engagement with local colleges, highlighting the importance of collaboration for effective skills provision. They noted the Authority's potential to drive change and ensure services are tailored to local priorities. Concerns were raised about the geographical spread of Skills Bootcamps, with assurances that work would be done to ensure a strong presence once funding was devolved. The scheme's requirement for learners to enter employment within six months of completion was acknowledged as a potential risk for providers, and members suggested regular monitoring of the scheme's effectiveness.

The Board also discussed the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) survey, encouraging members to share it with employers to promote wider engagement. The importance of developing roles and skills to meet local employment needs was emphasised, particularly in relation to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision.

Appointment of Co-opted Members

The Board approved the appointment of two non-voting co-opted members. Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, was appointed as the Business Member for the Board. Mark Locking, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln College Group, was approved as a co-opted member. The Board also requested that officers proceed with a recruitment process to appoint two additional non-voting co-opted members.

Professor Neal Juster declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of a skills organisation that receives grant funding. The membership of co-opted members will be reviewed annually as part of the review of the Board's terms of reference.

The meeting also noted the upcoming closure of the consultation on proposed changes to Adult Skills Funding (ASF), including ESOL provision, and the ambition for improved literacy rates and greater inclusion. The launch of the LSIP was highlighted as a valuable opportunity to influence policy for Greater Lincolnshire.