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Regional Learning and Skills Councils Regulations 2007

Once again, I thank noble Lords for taking part in this important discussion and for their warm welcome for these regulations. I think that I speak on behalf of the Government if I say that sometimes the Government feel that the accountability is pretty far-reaching, probing and challenging. However, it is extremely important, and I am glad that the noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, concurs with that. Clearly, the questions that have been asked are not trivial, and I am very happy to deal with them as comprehensively as I can. My noble friend asked a question about payment, and I think that the noble Baroness, Lady Verma, was also looking for the answer on that. The average wage bill for a regional council is expected to be in the region of £252,000 per annum. That includes a regional director at £125,000, a regional chair—obviously part-time—at £23,000, and 14 regional council members at a total cost of £104,000, but an individual cost of £7,400. The noble Baroness, Lady Sharp, asked how the membership of the council will be set out. I believe that my noble friend Lord Adonis in Grand Committee on 22 January set out for the record that each regional council will be business-led, drawing employers from priority skill sectors in the region concerned. We expect membership to include a further education college principal and one other provider of work-based learning, a voluntary/community sector provider or school. All regional councils are expected to include a representative of the regional development agency, a trade union member and a member of a local authority. He also said that the Minister had written to Chris Banks, from the Learning and Skills Council, setting out his expectation that each regional council will also include a learner. We expect one or more members to be able to bring a good understanding of higher education, and there should be two observer members, one from Jobcentre Plus and one from the Government. I am happy to repeat that now. I have picked up the question of salaries. My noble friend Lord Jones asked about further education colleges and councils. As I have said, they will be represented on the regional council. The noble Baroness Lady Sharp asked why the definition of council is not in the Act. Apparently it is not good drafting practice to include an unnecessary definition. That was her ““trivial”” question, but I have to say that it is quite an interesting question which I will look at further. I picked up on the cost of regional councils. I am happy to review this discussion and ensure I have answered all noble Lords’ questions. The noble Baroness, Lady Verma, had a further question about the role of the sector skills councils. My noble friend Lord Adonis said in Committee that we want to emphasise the importance of working closely with the sector skills council. It is good that she has given me the opportunity to reiterate this. They play an increasingly important role in capturing and articulating employer demand for investment in skills. This role was also stressed by my noble friend Lord Leitch in his report, as everyone is well aware. Central to our ambition for sector skills councils is engaging with employers in their sector to stimulate increased demand for investment in skills. With that and a commitment—