Catalogue description Records of the Wales Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education

The Wales Advisory Body (WABLAHE) was set up by the Secretary of State for Wales in July 1982. Its terms of reference were:

• to advise the Secretary of State on the appropriate use of his powers concerning various aspects of further and higher education (outside the universities) including advanced course approval and teacher training;
• to monitor the implementation by local education authorities of instructions issued by the Secretary of State following such advice;
• to ensure that there was effective liaison between the various higher education bodies, the appropriate validating and professional bodies and representatives of industry and commerce;
• to liaise effectively with the National Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education in England (NAB).

The Body appointed a Committee to carry out its function to advise the Secretary of State for Wales on the management and funding of local authority higher and further education and teacher training. The Committee was chaired by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and the other members comprised eight local authority elected members, four representatives from the Welsh Joint Education Committee, four members representing the Welsh Counties Committee and a representative from NAB. Meetings were also attended by officials from the Welsh Office and local authorities.

The areas of responsibility covered by the Committee included planning exercises, funding of research activities, relations with Council for National Academic Awards, future strategy, speech therapy, Welsh language and approval of courses.

Following the Education Reform Bill 1988, the Body's terms of reference were clarified. Greater emphasis was put on planning and funding, and its monitoring powers were increased. At this point the body formally changed its name to the Wales Advisory Body (or WAB).

In addition to the Committee, WAB also appointed a Board to assist the Committee to achieve its terms of reference to analyse and access the existing provision of local authority high education in Wales and recommend any changes which would contribute to its improved management. It was planned that it should do this by appointing working panels as required. Its membership was substantially different from that of the Committee and included representatives from the universities, polytechnics and other higher education institutions, business and industry as well as Welsh Office and local authority officials. In 1988 following the Education Reform Bill, the Board changed its name to the Standing Working Group (SWG). The SWG also produced reports as well as recommendations.

WABLAHE was wound up following the establishment of the Further Education Funding Council for Wales and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in 1992.