Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

My Lords, it will come as no surprise to the Minister that we share the concerns of the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, about the intervention powers of LEAs and the YPLA in sixth-form colleges. Of course we agree that action must be taken should a sixth-form college’s governing body be responsible for unreasonable action or mismanagement of its affairs. Nevertheless, like the noble Baroness, Lady Howe, our concern is that sixth-form colleges should be allowed to be flexible and independent. The Association of Colleges has stated that it thinks it imperative for sixth-form colleges to, ""retain their independence and autonomy as these factors have played a major role in their success"." Does the Minister not accept that the powers of intervention by the LEA and the YPLA may operate to reduce the flexibility and independence of sixth-form colleges? As I said on the previous group of amendments, it is important to ensure that the possible influence of the LEA and/or the YPLA must not mean that sixth-form colleges become overly centred on their immediate locality. Part of the reason for the success of these colleges is that they can attract students from far and wide across the boundaries of the LEA. Given that resources are finite, we share the colleges’ concern that the powers awarded to the LEA by the Bill may lead to sixth-form colleges becoming more limited in their scope and therefore reduce the level of specialisation that has helped to make them such a success. Paragraph 8 of Schedule 8 appears effectively to give LEAs the authority to manage the performance of sixth-form colleges and, therefore, interfere when they consider necessary. Further powers of intervention are awarded to the YPLA and, additionally, LEAs and the YPLA are given the right to appoint members to the governing body of a sixth-form college. It would appear that the intention is to confine independent sixth-form colleges quite strictly within the remit of the local authority. I appreciate that there are limitations—for example, the LEA must give notice to the Secretary of State and the YPLA before exercising its powers of intervention—but I hope that the Minister appreciates the concern of the Association of Colleges that the specifics of these powers have yet to be laid out in any detail. I hope very much that she will be able to inform your Lordships exactly how these powers will work and offer reassurance that this will not infringe the independence of sixth-form colleges, which we should be helping to support, rather than limit.