THE new Greater Manchester Learning & Skills Council is to be based in Arndale House in the centre of Manchester.

It will be an important organisation for Bolton, Bury and Leigh when, as a result of a government shake-up, it begins funding all post-16 education and training in the area from April, 2001.

Some of its functions have been transferred from organisations like Bolton and Bury Chamber, which previously made decisions about the spending of government money locally.

There is a 14-strong National Learning & Skills Council which will ultimately be responsible for a £6 billion budget throughout the country.

It will include sixth form allocations to local education authorities from 2002.

The government wants local LSCs such as Greater Manchester to "actively engage" with local employers to support the development of the workforce.

This aim will be backed by "flexible local budgets."

There will also be a substantial Local Initiatives Fund to support a key role in contributing to local economic development -- including regeneration and inward investment through learning and skills activities.

Local LSCS are expected to play an essential new role in developing the capability of the provider network to meet local needs.

The idea is to drive up standards and quality in post-16 learning to ensure it meets the needs of employers, learners and communities.

Greater Manchester has two representatives on the national Learning & Skills Council -- Cllr John Merry, the Deputy Leader of Salford City Council, and Alexandra Burslem, Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University.

Manchester businessman Anthony Goldstone, Chairman of the North West Chambers of Commerce, is Chairman of the Greater Manchester LSC.

He said: "I am delighted that two of the 14 members of the National Council are from Greater Manchester and can ensure that the needs of learners and the wider community of Greater Manchester are heard nationally.

"I would like to have seen greater private sector representation on the National Council and hope that appointments to the local Learning and Skills Council will reflect that."

Bolton will be represented on the Greater Manchester LSC.

The Chief Executive, Liz Davis, who is switching from the same position with South & East Cheshire Training and Enterprise Council, is taking over a job which pays somewhere between £51,975 and £85,047 a year. More details of the LSC network are available on its web-site -- www.dfe.gov.uk/ post16