Paragraph 55 I1

After section 15A of that Act insert—

“ Functions in respect of education for persons over 19.

15B

(1)

A F1local authority may secure the provision for their area of full-time or part-time education suitable to the requirements of persons who have attained the age of 19, including provision for persons from other areas.

(2)

The power under subsection (1) to secure the provision of education includes power to secure the provision—

(a)

of training, including vocational, social, physical and recreational training, and

(b)

of organised leisure time occupation (within the meaning of section 2(6)) which is provided in connection with the provision of education or of training within paragraph (a).

(3)

In exercising their functions under this section a local authority shall in particular have regard to the needs of persons with learning difficulties (within the meaning of section 13(5) and (6) of the Learning and Skills Act 2000).

(4)

A local authority may do anything which appears to them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of or in connection with the exercise of their functions under this section.

(5)

This section does not apply to higher education.”