12.15 Provided the obvious problems of excessive bureaucracy, endless meetings and a descent into talk rather than action can all be avoided, consideration could be given to establishing Regional or Sub-Regional Lifelong Learning Forums, where these do not already exist. At regional level too, if lifelong learning funds are to be distributed, these should be allocated in line with national strategy and according to the core principles laid down, as well as meeting agreed regional or sub-regional needs. Particular care should be taken to support those initiatives designed to regenerate local economies and local communities generally and to open up lifelong learning to those still underrepresented in its compass.
12.16 Strategic partnerships should be innovative and flexible in their search for additional resources, including from the European Union, from private sources and from pooling their own efforts. Where appropriate, public funding bodies, such as the funding and research councils, Single Regeneration Budgets and competitiveness funds should earmark funds especially to support collaboration.
12.17 Partnerships need to be inclusive in outlook. They should devise their own targets and measurements of progress, making sure that there is a rigorous and publicly accountable system of performance review in place. This will enable those who are supposed to be the prime beneficiaries of increased opportunities for lifelong learning to decide for themselves whether the strategic partnerships in question are really meeting their needs.
12.18 Wherever Lifelong Learning Forums are established, they should seek to be appropriately inclusive, develop a clear strategic focus, establish targets and measure their own effectiveness through the use of agreed performance indicators, always bearing in mind their primary purpose. They should have representation from a wide range of agencies including further and higher education, local authorities, TECs and regional Government offices, employers' and employees' representatives, training and voluntary sector providers, libraries, museums and schools.
12.19 Lifelong Learning Partnerships or Forums should work closely with regional co-ordinators from each Government Office, with Regional Development Agencies and with the regions of the FEFC and other Government agencies to:
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