tCI commentary:
“It is notable that virtually every closure or rationalisation of services in the NHS requires consultation – and attracts massive public opposition if it isn’t done properly. Yet in education, situations like this are commonplace, with little or no public disquiet. Does it tell us something about our national priorities? Or is it that ‘grey power’ and the national passion for our Health Services encourages committed activists to mount the barricades in a way that academics and students rarely match ?”
Article:
MIKE Amesbury and unions are joining forces to call for a full public consultation over plans to close Warrington and Vale Royal College’s Hartford campus.
The Weaver Vale MP met with college staff and union representatives from Unison and the UCU to discuss the proposals, which would see 56 people made redundant when most courses move to either Warrington or Winsford in September.
Mike has expressed ‘very serious concerns’ about the job losses and impact on current students, as well as the potential blow to further education in Northwich.
The MP for the town also criticised the handling of the process.
He said: “At the recent meeting with union representative a number of issues were raised that I have very serious concerns about.
“One is that they do not believe there has been a proper consultation on these plans in terms of its impact on the town, learners, parents and the wider community.
“But they also say staff have only been given the minimum 30 days’ consultation period about their jobs, with some of that time spread over the Easter holidays.
“This is about due process and this should have been carried out from the very start.”
Mike has already written to the college principal and head of governors calling for the decision to be reversed and recently pressed the education minister Anne Milton on it in Parliament.
Ms Milton has now agreed to a face-to-face meeting on the issue.
Mike added: “Let me be clear, this college campus should remain open. It is vitally important to Northwich and we will be continuing the campaign to have these plans reversed.”
UCU north west regional official Martyn Moss said: “We still believe there is a future for a college in Hartford and reject the rationale for closing it so soon after the merger with Warrington Collegiate.
“The college has excellent facilities which should remain available to the local community. The issues regarding funding and student recruitment were known before the merger and we don’t believe the senior management or Governors of the new college have sufficiently invested in securing its future.
“We are pleased to receive the full support of local MP Mike Amesbury in calling for a full public consultation and proper debate over the proposals.”
Article originally appeared on Northwich Guardian
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