§ Ms HodgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met representatives of the training and enterprise councils to discuss TEC budgets.
§ Mr. PaiceMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet the TECs representatives to discuss a wide range of topics, including TEC budgets.
§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made with the arrangements to introduce three-year licences for TECs; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. PaiceI am pleased to be able to announce that 12 training and enterprise councils have completed the process of meeting the rigorous standards we set for the award of the new 3-year licence. The licences will be effective from April 1995. The TECs are:
- Barnsley/Doncaster
- HAWTEC—Hereford and Worcester
- Humberside
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- North Derbyshire
- North Nottinghamshire
- Northumberland
- Rotherham
- Sheffield
- South and East Cheshire
- Sunderland City
A number of other TECs are close to completing the process. I expect to make further announcements shortly of TECs to be awarded licences from April 1995.
Our expectation is that the introduction of licensing for all English TECs will take until 1997. Licensing is one part of the contract framework between Government and TECs which is designed to support continuous improvement in their performance, value for money and accountability across all that they do.
To be awarded a licence, a TEC must meet rigorous criteria. These cover the TECs corporate plan and its strategic impact in working with other local bodies, its performance on the main programmes funded by the Government and other areas of its capability as an organisation.