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FEDD has
identified very clearly what has gone wrong and what needs to change.
The Executive and the Scottish Funding Council will
continue to work closely with the new college Management to deliver full
financial recovery.
Allan Wilson MSP, Deputy
Minister for Enterprise in The Scottish Executive, has moved quickly to
reassure staff and students of James Watt College that there is 'no
question' of the college closing.
Mr Wilson, visited the college's Greenock campus today with Duncan McNeil,
constituency MSP, to meet the Principal and Chairman of the Board to discuss
current and proposed action by the College Board to secure college provision
for local students. John McClelland, Chair of the Scottish Funding Council,
was also in attendance.
"There is no question of James Watt College being closed as a result of the
financial difficulties in which it finds itself."
The launch of the college's new prospectus for 2007/08 within the near
future, along with its new strategic plan demonstrates our ongoing
commitment to sustaining college provision and delivering for local learners
and the local community" said Mr Wilson.
'I am pleased that the College Board of Management accepts all the
recommendations set out in the FEDD report to the Funding Council and is
fully committed to delivering financial sustainability for the college, its
staff and students."
"it is important to stress our collective aspirations to regain the vitality
and success of James Watt College, as the college has a critical role to
play in the
economic and community regeneration of North Ayrshire, Inverclyde and
beyond. This is the most important issue of all and one that everyone
concerned has to focus on"
It is important to differentiate between what has been successful and build
on those successes, and identify where the challenges lie and then take
action to rectify them" said Mr Wilson.
"We recognise that there is no easy fix to bring this about, and the
Executive and the Scottish Funding Council will continue to work closely
with the new college Management to deliver full financial recovery and a
sustainable future for staff and students" said Mr Wilson.
Rejecting calls for a public inquiry Mr Wilson said,
"I do not underestimate the College's serious financial position. The
Funding Council has investigated rigorously, through its FEDD, the
circumstances leading to the current difficulties. FEDD has identified very
clearly what has gone wrong and what needs to change.
"Ministers currently are reviewing closely the governance of colleges as
part of the wide-ranging 'Review of Scotland's Colleges'. This is a
sector-wide review which is due to deliver its recommendations to Ministers
later this year.
The review is expected to make a number of separate recommendations on
accountability and governance. I expect many of these to focus on how
standards of governance might be strengthened."
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