BOLTON has two high-profile representatives on the new Learning and Skills Council for Greater Manchester.

They are the Principal and Chief Executive of Bolton Institute, Mollie Temple and Mr Richard Hurst, Chairman of the Richard Threlfall Group Ltd at Lostock.

As reported earlier this week, Mr Hurst will be stepping down as chairman of Bolton and Bury Chamber from April.

Government changes mean that many of the Chamber's functions will be transferred to the Learning and Skills Council and the Small Business Service.

The Learning and Skills Council will be responsible for the planning and funding of all post-16 education and training throughout the country.

The Greater Manchester Council -- one of 47 local arms nationwide -- will analyse local labour market needs, discuss and agree plans for individual FE colleges and training providers, deploy locally-managed budgets to meet learning and skills needs, improve the training infrastructure, promote learning and draw up local workforce development plans.

The Chairman, Anthony Goldstone, said today: "We are different and new as an organisation and have a vision of providing real opportunities for local people to improve, whether in business or as individuals.

"We recognise the importance of local businesses to the economy and intend to really make a difference."

Mr Bryan Sanderson, the national chairman, said: "We will develop new ways to help individuals and employers who do not currently engage in education and training."

The other members of the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council are: Christopher Woodcock, Director, Community & Public Affairs, Kellogg Marketing & Sales Company (UK) Ltd, David Page, Managing Director, Kirpac Ltd, Patak Spices Ltd, Top Hat Foods Ltd, Jean Llewellyn, Regional Manager, North West Tourist Board, Skills & Employment.

Rachael Charlton, Consortium Manager, Greater Manchester West NHS Education & Training Consortium, Nigel Newton, Managing Director, Medlock Communications Ltd, Pauline Green, Chief Executive and General Secretary, Co-Operative Union Ltd.

Cllr John Merry, Deputy Leader (and full-time councillor) Salford City Council (also LSC national council member), Abdul Jabbar, Housing Equality Manager, Rochdale Metropolitan Council, William Grady, Principal, North Trafford College.

David Seddon, Director of Educational Services, Boys' & Girls' Welfare Society (Reg. Charity), Ray Short, Manager, Education Services, UNISON North West and Alan Manning, Regional Manager, North West TUC.