Colleges to take merger proposals forward

THE creation of Scotland’s latest “super college” has moved a step closer after three institutions published plans for their merger.

Telford College, Jewel & Esk College and Stevenson College have submitted the proposal to the Scottish Government after the boards of each institution agreed the business case last week.

Last year, education secretary Mike Russell said the Scottish Government needed to “force the pace” on college mergers to help cut costs across the sector.

He has since outlined plans to reorganise Scotland’s colleges – of which there are currently more than 40 – around 13 regional boards.

Jim Ewing, chair of the three colleges’ Merger Partnership Board, said: “The submission of the merger document to the Scottish Government marks a major milestone towards providing a stronger and more ambitious college for Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“Working together as one college will provide more opportunities for students, staff and the community, and reflects the growing desire of the Scottish Government for colleges to work together to deliver a smarter, more economical model going forward.”

The submission of the merger proposal document signifies the next major step towards the college’s Vesting Day on 1 October.

It is expected a final decision will be made on the college in the summer. It is not yet known who the principal of the new institution will be or whether there will continue to be three separate campuses.

College leaders have previously warned that they will struggle to maintain the number of places in the face of budget cuts from the Scottish Government.

In contrast to Scotland’s universities, which have seen an increase in the level of funding from ministers, the level of funding colleges receive is set to fall from around £540 million this year, to £470.7m in 2014/15.