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Dept for Education and Employment;Employment Service

Answer

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the start-up costs of opening the Sutton Job Club, Lewis Road, Sutton, in October 1997; when, and by whom, the decision was taken to close the Sutton Job Club; and what costs have been incurred in closing the club. [39050] Mr. Alan Howarth: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 20 April 1998: As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question about the start-up costs of opening the Sutton Jobclub, Lewis Road, Sutton, in October 1997; when, and by whom, the decision was taken to close the Sutton Jobclub; and what costs have been incurred in closing club. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence. There were no costs incurred by the Employment Service in setting up Sutton Jobclub. The decision to close the Jobclub was taken by Colin Purtill, the Employment Service District Manager responsible for services in Sutton, after consultation in the locality in January and February 1998. There will be no additional costs incurred in closing the Jobclub. The Employment Service pays fees to its contracted providers monthly in arrears. The Jobclub contract allows for an early termination without penalty provided at least six weeks notice is given. In this instance the provider who runs our Sutton Jobclub, Instant Muscle, was given eight weeks notice to close on 1 May 1998. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

310 c502-4W;310 c502-3W; 39050

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Costs Closures Sutton Jobclubs

Contains statistics

Yes