Bradford has lost its fight for its own Learning & Skills Council despite a four-month battle.

But a new campaign was immediately launched to base the West Yorkshire Learning & Skills Council in the city.

Yesterday's Government announcement to go along with the Yorkshire Forward recommendation for one L&SC for the county gave extra resolve to key players to base the organisation at Mercury House, the home of the district's Training & Enterprise Council.

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe vowed to bring the county's Learning & Skills Council to the city after Education Secretary David Blunkett announced the new bodies in the Commons. Mr Sutcliffe had been battling for Bradford to have its own L&SC but now that fight is lost he plans to lobby Ministers to have the new body based at the city.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "As Bradford is in the centre of West Yorkshire there is a strong argument for making the city the centre for the county's Learning & Skills Council. We would have preferred one in Bradford but, as that has not happened, we will be fighting for the city to house the headquarters.

"I am told there will be a further round of consultation over where the organisation will be and a final decision will be made in February next year."

Learning & Skills Councils will replace Training & Enterprise Councils which means Bradford TEC will be scrapped by March 2001. It is expected similar campaigns will be launched in Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees, which also have TECs.

David Wilkinson, chief executive of Bradford TEC, added: "We need to ensure the position in Bradford is protected and the needs of Bradford are met. We will be marshalling the arguments in support of that because there will be similar campaigns waged by other areas of West Yorkshire."

Bosses will play a key role on the boards of the 47 Learning & Skills Councils and 45 Small Business Support bodies being created.

Sandy Needham, acting chief executive of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are disappointed that the Bradford district will lose the ability to make its decisions within its boundaries.

"We have taken a long time to develop partnerships which have brought benefits and now we will have to work to another geographical area."

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