• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

To cut this down to a more blunt political point then, there is a risk in the Olympics that if the relationship with the LSCs is not amended or revised or improved in a way that the Mayor is suggesting it should be, then the GLA's view is there is a risk to the Olympics and the delivery of training as part of that?

• Question by: John Biggs
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

Just very briefly following that up, I think we have quite rightly focused on the role of the LSCs and this question is probably to Neale Coleman (Director, Business Planning and Regeneration, GLA), maybe with David Lunts (Executive Director of Policy and Partnerships, GLA) in support, and it is: given the comments the Mayor has made about the lack of functionality and capability of the LSCs in London, how important is resolving that issue to delivering training and skills for the Olympics?

• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

What I wanted to ask, and it relates to what you have just been saying, is about the capacity of the LSCs to expand their offer, if you like, to young people not only in the local area of the Olympic site but across London. There just seems to be opportunities that we can re-skill not only our young people but also those people who perhaps need to change jobs or to retrain. Are you looking at the capacity across London? There will of course be a physical capacity in terms of building space but also in terms of teachers...

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

Yes, but you must have a measure of your success.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

Can we receive your assurance then that young people are, if you like, a key focus group? A recent report published showed that about 20% of young people are now heading towards unemployment and one of the key things underpinning that employability is their unskilled state. Are you looking to focus on that group?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

Finally, can you just tell me about the links that you have currently with the London Skills Councils, who have a great deal of money and how you are going to then get a bolt onto that pot?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

You will let us know when you do?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

This information will be available what, after January, after you have got total sign up from the boroughs or is this now available from yourselves?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

I have got some specifics, if I could follow up Marc with what you have said so far. My questions are about, one about process and I want to then target on particularly young people. Also, I just want to start off by touching on the amount that has been quoted. Many of us round here with the experience of local government and regeneration and skills arena, we know that £9 million ' I mean it is an awful thing to say ' does not buy much. In terms of this spend, the way that you are talking in generalities...

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 07 December 2005

I am asking what they are.