Bureaucracy-review group established

Citation

(2003), "Bureaucracy-review group established", Education + Training, Vol. 45 No. 8/9. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2003.00445hab.003

Bureaucracy-review group established

Bureaucracy-review group established

Bureaucracy in the learning and skills sector will be forcefully challenged following the appointment of Sir Andrew Foster as the chairman of the bureaucracy-review group. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) have created the new group in response to the Sweeney report on bureaucracy in the FE sector. Sir Andrew, who will initially spend around four days a month in this role, has been appointed by the education secretary, Charles Clarke, and will report directly to him and to Bryan Sanderson, LSC chairman. The group will:

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  develop flexible and innovative approaches;

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  have the power to review and challenge the impact of new policies imposed across the whole post-16 sector;

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  publicly challenge existing policies where they add unnecessarily to bureaucracy and scrutinize plans before they are implemented;

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  advise on how to maximize efficiency within the sector; and

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  publish an annual report on progress made and issues arising.

Sir Andrew said: “The learning and skills sector has a key role to play in delivering the government’s policy of lifelong learning. In order for the sector to work effectively, the links between itself and central government, and the administrative structures that underpin it, must be robust without being overpowering. I am confident that my experience of the public services, and particularly the past ten years with the Audit Commission, will prove useful in the task ahead”.

Meanwhile, Sir Geoffrey Holland has been appointed the new chairman of the Learning and Skills Development Agency. Announcing the appointment, Margaret Hodge, minister of state for lifelong learning, further and higher education, said: “Sir Geoffrey faced fierce competition in the selection process, but his experience and strong vision for the sector prevailed. His drive and commitment to bridge the gap between business, education and training at all levels will serve as a valuable asset to the LSDA”.

Sir Geoffrey said: “We are at the start of a significant new phase in the development of education and training for those over 14 and indeed, people of all ages. The LSDA has a leading role to play in raising standards and innovation. I look forward to helping the agency to make a decisive contribution”.