To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which local authorities have agreed co-sponsorship arrangements under the academies programme. (163385)

The following local authorities have agreed to co-sponsor academies:

Cheshire County Council;

Corporation of London;

Coventry City Council;

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea;

Kent County Council;

Manchester City Council;

Sunderland City Council;

Telford and Wrekin Council;

West Sussex County Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to place academies under local authority oversight; and if he will make a statement. (163622)

Academies exemplify the new role of local authorities as commissioners rather than providers of schools. Academies are, in effect, jointly commissioned by the Department and the relevant local authority on a partnership basis. Academies are not maintained by the local authority in the traditional manner, but each academy has at least one local authority representative on its governing body. My Department has no plans to change these arrangements.