National Council

The National Council is the top tier of decision-making in the Learning and Skills Council . The National Council is responsible for all of the functions of the LSC unless it chooses to delegate those functions. It steers LSC strategy and provides leadership to the LSC and delivery system as a whole.

It provides challenge and support to the LSC’s chief executive and senior management team, monitors and evaluates the LSC’s performance nationally, ensuring that local and regional activity delivers national priorities and targets. Members of the National Council also act as national ambassadors for the LSC and for learning and skills.

The National Council, which is responsible to Parliament and the Secretary of State, comprises a supportive group of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including both the public and private sector, who can see a different and independent perspective from the LSC’s senior management team. Council members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

The National Council is supported by a structure of committees to which it has delegated certain of its functions, each chaired by a member of National Council:

The Equality and Diversity Committee helps the LSC put equality and diversity high on its agenda and ensures it is high on the agenda for providers, partners and employers.

The Audit Committee ensures the LSC’s systems of internal control are adequate and effective.

The Capital Committee assesses applications for capital investment.

The Remuneration Committee advises the Council on the framework and policy for the appointment, pay and performance of LSC staff.

The Appointments Committee assesses and makes recommendations on non-executive LSC appointments.

Nine interim, non-executive committees of National Council (called Regional Boards) currently provide challenge and support to the Regional Director and provide effective links to key external regional partners. Other key functions include agreeing regional priorities (including capital) and regional capital strategies, making and publishing proposals for the establishment or dissolution of Further Education Corporations and monitoring and evaluating LSC performance on a regional basis. Chairs and members are currently being recruited for the nine, statutory Regional Councils which will take over from the interim Regional Boards in the autumn. The Councils will inform the LSC’s decision making at a regional level, ensure the investment of over £36bn of public money is spent in the right way, and guide our progress making sure our strategy works on the ground.