What is Pound Plus?
Pound Plus is a term used by the Greater London Authority to describe additional income generated by providers of adult education over and above the core community learning allocation within the adult education budget.
It is important because generating additional income allows us to maximise the value of public investment and is used to increase the service we can provide to residents.
Generating Pound Plus
Brent Start adds value to the adult education budget (AEB) by working closely with partners to reduce costs, share resources and attract additional income (actual or in kind) to widen the offer available to disadvantaged learners who otherwise may not be able to afford course fees.
The main elements of Pound Plus at Brent Start include:
- fee income
- income from room hire to local community groups and businesses
- income from sale of resources and materials
- curriculum efficiency - avoiding duplicate provision
- curriculum planning - to ensure the course offer meets both the government priorities and the needs of the local communities
- Brent Start also offers better progression opportunities leading to increased participation
- access to venues at no or reduced costs
- the use of volunteers to support learning
- the use of shared resources
- partnership working
- equipment and material donations
- access to other funding sources or equipment
- the development of sponsorship, grants, tenders and bids for additional funding from central government departments, charities and trusts
Income Generation
Fees and charges policy
Through the fees and charges policy the city council generates income from those learners who can afford to pay for their community learning course. Fee remission is in place for individuals who, due to personal circumstances are unable to pay for some or all of their course.
Room hire
Brent Start is able to hire spaces and rooms to community partners which allows us to generate income which can be reinvested in the service.
Cost Savings
Accommodation
Courses are held where possible in venues that are accessible to learners and which are free of charge across the Borough of Brent.
Shared Services
Enable a cost saving for support staff across the Council.
Partnership Working
Through partnership working, additional provision and services are provided that aim to engage hard to reach learners that Brent Start may find difficult to achieve.
Value for Money
By ensuring that the curriculum available is efficient and avoids duplication of provision.
Effectiveness of the curriculum – We provide courses that encourage participation which leads to increased and improved progression opportunities.
In Kind Resources
It is difficult to quantify the value of all in kind resources, the added value of the knowledge of partners over and above that of the Council enhances the learner experience.
Other examples of in-kind resources include staff in other departments who support learners that have disabilities to access and complete a course, or organisations across the city that advertise and promote courses for free.
Volunteers are both a cost saving and in kind resource. Volunteers provide additional support on open days, career fairs and also help promote learning across the Borough.
This policy will be reviewed annually, or before in the event of any significant changes to guidance or policy.
Produced by Marc Jordan
Approved by Ala Uddin
Date Approved May 2023
Review Date May 2024