Rumours were confirmed on 28th January 2015 that West Cheshire College is to close it's Handbridge campus. WCC released the following: West Cheshire College Statement Following the Skills Funding Agency’s notification that West Cheshire College’s financial health was assessed as inadequate; Dr. David Collins, the Further Education Commissioner and his Advisers, visited the College and completed an assessment in mid-September 2014. Subsequently, the Minister of State for Skills and Equalities, Nick Boles MP, wrote to the College with a number of recommendations to secure the long-term future of the College. The College’s financial position is due to a high level of borrowing taken out to finance the College re-build and its declining trading position. Consequently, the excessive long term borrowing which the College now faces is a result of the size, location and financing of the new builds in 2011. Nigel Davies, Principal and Chief Executive at West Cheshire College, said: “We have been working hard to resolve the twin issues of unsuitable accommodation and high levels of debt; this has included the introduction of a financial recovery plan. “Throughout we have strived to maintain a clear focus on the student experience and improvement; whilst at the same time rebuild the budget from the bottom up as well as implement significant restructuring across the College. However, it remains clear that fundamental action is still needed to bring the situation under control within a reasonable timeframe.” One of the key recommendations by the Minister was to complete a Viability Review; this has now concluded. In the main, both the Assessment Report and Viability Review concurred with the College and supported our financial recovery plan – which included the need to reduce costs and consolidate our estate to one campus. What this means in real terms is the realignment of our curriculum so it effectively responds to stakeholders and relocating some of our curriculum to our Ellesmere Port Campus. Nigel Davies adds: “We are currently in the process of developing plans. Whilst the decision to move some of our facilities will mean the closure of our Handbridge Campus, we will continue to have a presence in Chester and are planning to open a more accessible city centre-based location that will be designed to meet the needs of the Chester community. “I appreciate, that any decision to close a site is not taken lightly, and has only been done with a clear and detailed understanding of the impact of those changes on students, employers and the local community and on the long term sustainability of the College. The College has considered a number of options to support the long term financial position of the College; these options were tested independently when FE Advisers undertook their review with students, staff, governors and key stakeholders. “Ultimately, I have been tasked with ensuring our financial sustainability for the future and that our curriculum effectively responds to all our stakeholders’ needs and requirements. I can give you assurance that these plans and new learning and teaching resources will significantly further enhance local employment and skills needs; in fact I strongly believe we will be in a significantly better position to support and enhance our communities and economy. I would like to also give assurance that the interest of our students and employers remain at the heart of our decision making process and the College remains committed to delivering courses to our students as we do now, at the most appropriate location. “I also welcomed the comments from the Commissioner and Minister, recognising the action that the College has already taken, and that the Senior Leadership Team has made considerable progress in turning the College around both in terms of improving quality and addressing the financial position over the past 18 months. “Staff have also worked hard to overcome the challenges they have been presented with including significant efficiency savings in terms of pay and non-pay expenditure while improving student success. They should be commended on their commitment and dedication to students and ultimately the College. I was pleased to see the significant improvements that have been made overall in recent student success and progression, and particularly at Level 3 that shows an increase of over 10%. “Further developments include the appointment of a number of new Governors and Clerk to the Governing Body. These changes, together with the appointment of a new Chair and myself, are supporting the Governing Body to provide the necessary challenge and debate and enabling strategic decision making.” Nigel Davies further adds: “The College has been in discussions with some key stakeholders for some time around our strategic plans and now I am in the early stages of formal discussions with our main Funding Agencies to identify possible appropriate solutions and these are ongoing.” Local residents have expressed concern about what will happen to the site once it's vacated. The 6000 sq. meters Handbridge campus was only completed in 2011, supported by the Learning and Skills Council. Speculation unsurprisingly has it that Chester University are the most likely body to take over the site. With similar rumours circulating that the former HBOS bank site in Queen's Park could also be bought by the University, local residents are now fearful that Handbridge will become the next wave of University expansion in Chester.
See also: 'City college campus closure shock' - ChesterFirst
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Handbridge LifeHandbridge bits n pieces. Archive
May 2019
Categories |