MOVES are continuing behind the scenes to define the future role of Bolton and Bury Chamber when Government changes come into force next March.

As previously reported, annual funding will disappear when some of its existing functions are transferred to two new bodies -- the Learning and Skills Council and the Small Business Service.

The Chamber, formed in 1998 through a merger of the former Chamber of Commerce and Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, has 142 staff and 1,160 members.

Officials in the Department for Education and Employment are seeking new tenants for the impressive modern headquarters building in Clive Street, Bolton.

A Chamber sub-group is in the process of establishing the way the slimmed-down organisation will run without Government money. Key issues include a decision on where it will be based.

One option is the former Chamber office building in Bridgeman Street which once housed officials of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Mr Richard Bindless, the Chamber's Chief Executive, is confident that it will continue to serve its members' interests -- without inconvenience or disruption -- as a "very progressive new Chamber. It should be business as usual," he said.

The situation in the other elements of this shake-up are:

SMALL BUSINESS SERVICE

The SBS operations in North Manchester -- part of a national initiative -- are to be delivered by a new multi-million pound business support agency.

It is a joint venture between the four Chambers of Bolton and Bury, Wigan, Rochdale and Oldham, the private sector, five local authorities and Bolton Business Ventures.

The £55,000 a year job of Chief Executive has been advertised and the successful candidate from a strong field of applicants is expected to be in post in November.

A business plan is required by the end of the year.

This body, which has also not decided where it is to be based, will be run by a board of 12 made up of representatives of chambers, businesses and local authorities.

Cllrs Frank White (Bolton) and Derek Boden (Bury) are council representatives and colourful local businessman Alex Kitchen from Velden Engineering is one of the chamber members.

Mr Bindless said the new organisation would take over the functions of Business Link, locally a division of Bolton and Bury Chamber.

"Staff will be offered the opportunity to transfer," he said.

LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL

Greater Manchester will be the biggest of 47 regional bodies throughout the country.

It is being asked to help improve post 16 learning to provide the skills and knowledge needed for further growth and regeneration in the North-west.

The chairman has already been identified as Anthony Goldstone, a Manchester businessman who is well-known in regional Chamber circles.

An Executive Director is expected to be appointed shortly. It will be run by an unpaid council of between 12 and 15 members. But so far it is not clear where its headquarters will be.