§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the mechanism by which Learning and Skills Councils are accountable to the local community. [8628]
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§ Margaret HodgeThe Learning and Skills Council has been established to provide effective planning and funding of post-16 learning, focusing on individual, employer and community needs at national and local level. Local LSCs are accountable for delivery to their boards, whose members represent a broad cross-section of local interests. Local LSCs must have members who understand the needs of local communities through local authority experience, either as elected members or in an official capacity. In most cases both local authority members and officials already sit on local LSC boards. And when developing their strategic plans, local LSCs are required to consult with a wide range of local partners.