Funds body backs 'super campus'

PLANS to create a £300 million "super campus" by merging three Glasgow colleges have been backed by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

The body, which allocates government funding to colleges and universities, says the current college's buildings are in a poor state.

In a consultation submission to the Scottish Government the SFC also say there is currently substantial overlap in provision.

However the group admits the journey to merger has not "been straightforward".

Stow College, which pulled out of the original plans criticised the SFC saying a review it commissioned found the funding body based projected financial savings on incorrect demographic data. The college called for a full review of the proposal.

Ministers are expected to decide on whether to approve the merger on 1 September.

Papers on the merger were published yesterday, to tackle accusations of secrecy surrounding the multimillion pound "super campus" project.

However, sources close to the education secretary pointed out approving the merger did not automatically mean approval for the super-campus, a decision on which will be made in a few months' time.