Burley–in–Wharfedale Special Neighbourhood Forum
Tuesday 11 July 2006
Subject: The Proposed Closure of Adult Education Classes at Burley Grange
Additional information supplied following the meeting is indicated by use of italics.
The College have requested that it be noted that the purpose of the meeting was to inform the public.
Present:
Cllr. M. Palmer; Cllr. C. Greaves; Cllr. D. Smith.
Bradford College Representatives:
Kevin McGuiness, Chair of Corporation,
Michele Sutton, Principal,
Julie Hinchliffe, Assistant Director: Vocational and Community Education,
Tony Laycock, Programme Manager: Community.
Chris Flecknoe - Shipley Area Co-ordinator
John Lawton from National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE)
Apologies:
Philip Davies M.P.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
The meeting was chaired by Chris Flecknoe, who welcomed everyone and introduced the Ward Councillors and the speakers from Bradford College. The Forum had been jointly requested by the Ward Councillors and the Parish Councillors.
A representative from the Wharfe Valley Times was in attendance, as was the Bradford College Press Officer.
An exhibition about the history of Burley Grange had been provided by Mr. and Mrs. Warwick and this was on display for all to see at the Forum.
A large proportion of the audience indicated that they had never attended a Neighbourhood Forum before, so they received a special welcome.
Cllr. Palmer, who had co-ordinated a petition requesting that Burley Grange be kept open, thanked everyone for their support and highlighted the fact that Bradford Council had passed a resolution opposing the closure of Burley Grange.
Cllr Palmer handed the petition with 1332 signatures to the College representatives.
Representatives from Bradford College then proceeded to outline the situation.
a) Background and Context
Kevin Mc Guinness welcomed the Forum as an opportunity to clarify the situation.
£1.4 million has been cut by the Learning Skills Council (LSC).
£2.2 million cut to Adult Learning Courses.
The Government is now placing emphasis on courses which lead to employment. "More plumbing, less Pilates and flower arranging".
Bradford College is committed to Adult Education, but changes have had to be made. They have had no choice.
The College is obliged to meet the government targets of increasing employment paths. The College is introducing new Learning for Leisure courses for which they are making a charge of £4 per hour.
They still have every intention of running courses in Ilkley at Bridge House; and at Ilkley Grammar School as well as some at the Queens Hall in Burley.
The College would have preferred to consult before making these changes. However they felt the timescale made it impossible for them to so. They needed to make their decisions before the Course programme 2006/07 could be prepared.
b) Courses and Fees
Julie Hinchliffe, Assistant Director: Vocational and Community Education, then proceeded to outline the new courses and fees.
The College's priority has been to provide the best possible range of courses within the constraints placed upon them.
The £2.2 million cut was not evident at the beginning of the year. They had expected in the region of a £500,000 cut. It was a great shock when they realised it was £2.2 million.
They have had to increase the "employability courses" because of the instructions issued by the Learning skills Council.
They have had to remove a number of Adult courses in non priority areas e.g. aromatherapy, first aid, Indian head massage, etc. These cuts have been made across Bradford District. They have tried to include as many qualification courses as possible e.g. cake decorating, IT, arts, languages.
They are very aware though that many people do not want to do examination courses. All Learning Skills Council courses have exams.
They have, however, introduced 12 week Learning for Leisure Courses in subjects such as cookery, jewellery, oil painting, holiday language courses, using the internet. The Charge will be £4 per hour.
The Learning Skills Council courses will cost £2 per hour plus exam fees. However, there is also the 25% early bird special available to everyone: if someone enrols early they will get 25% discount on any courses.
If people have suggestions for new course they can be made at the centres.
The prospectus should be ready 17th/18th July.
Questions and Comments from the audience.
(Q = Question from the audience; Ans = Answer; C = Comment from the audience)
Q.
Education is not about exams and my quest for learning has not died. I would like to do French again. My main concern is over the closure of Burley Grange. It is a wonderful facility and one reason why I live in the village. I don't want to drive back into Bradford for a class. Nor can I see how Bridge House can take over the provision. It does not have the parking space available, nor does it have the ambiance. Is there anything we can do to make sure that Burley Grange stays an educational facility? Is the decision purely financial?
Ans.
Michele Sutton, Principal, replied:
We all agree that Adult Education is valuable. The College wishes to prioritise it as much as they can. The changes is funding are due to a Government decision, not a College one. Philip Davies MP has raised a question in Parliament, though he has not yet received an answer. It is a national concern. You will still be able to do French at Queens Hall.
Michelle joined Bradford College 2 years ago and at that time they did not have an accommodation policy. The LSC requires that the College has one. They needed to do this and they were then told that they had 50% too much accommodation.
They are having to reduce by 50%. Their strategy has been to:
1) Ensure they can provide the normal provision in Bradford for 16 - 19 year olds
2) Review community provision and find fit-for-purpose accommodation and co-locate this with other partners e.g. Bradford Council.
When they realised the extent of the cuts, they reviewed Burley Grange and Bridge House with a view to continuing with only one of them. They believe Bridge House offers better facilities. The Grange does not have disabled access. Bridge House offers better access in line with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) from both sides.
They also believe that the rooms at Bridge House can be used more effectively. They have to consider what is cost effective and what can have best student usage. They have not made any decision about future uses of Burley Grange. They would like to listen to and consider any fundable proposals. However, they have an obligation to use government funding properly.
Q. (From Cllr Matt Palmer)
He had received information under the Freedom of Information Act which stated that Burley Grange is used by 700 students in a year, whereas Bridge house has only 300 students. Burley Grange is also next to a bus route and Bridge House is far harder to get to using public transport.
He stated that if he was a Governor of Bradford College, he would not make the decision to close Burley Grange, as there was better access at Burley.
At Burley Grange, virtually every class room was full and there was substantial interest in developing IT, photographic facilities, etc. Bridge House should make best possible use of their rooms, but they are limited to 50 people at any one time (Maximum 25 in any class).
Ans. Michelle Sutton:
74% of students who currently use Burley Grange travel from Ilkley. Therefore students will have less travel if the courses are run in Ilkley.
C
Students do this as it is easier to travel to Burley by bus than go to the Centre in Ilkley.
C.
I travel to Ilkley from Burley for classes. How many students do this?
Ans.
Can't say. Will find out and insert in meeting notes. Subsequent note from College: 22%
Q.
How do you plan to use the facilities at Bridge house?
Ans: Tony Laycock, Programme Manager: Community replied:
The College plans to run optimum number of classes but will need maintenance time as well. They don't expect to exceed the 50 limit at any one time. The jewellery class is popular and they aim to move that to Bridge House.
Q.
With regards the cuts figures, what % of cut is this. Nationally it is around 12.5%. Is it the same here?
Ans.
The overall LSC cut is just under 10%, however they are providing some extra for young people. The cut is largely in community provision which represents a 30% cut of that sort of provision.
Q.
Was community provision specifically specified by the LSC?
Ans.
Yes
Q. (From Cllr Chris Greaves):
It is easier for people to come to Burley, rather than to walk to the end of Ilkley.
Classes can't be more than 25 students and this will need to be enforced.
It could be difficult to change the usage of Burley Grange and it will have fixed costs. What are the marginal savings to be made by keeping it empty? Subsequent note from College: £26,060.
Ans. Michelle Sutton:
We have not focussed on Burley Grange. We have focussed on designing the best possible package of courses. Costs not known, however I can get you details of these. The direct costs of delivering courses will move to Ilkley.
Q.
I attended French at Burley Grange. Has the decision to close the courses at Burley Grange been made? Is there anything we can do to change the College's mind?
Burley Grange is better than Bridge House. Should you not stop and rethink your decision?
Ans. Kevin McGuiness, Chair of Corporation:
It is not a proposal. The Governing Body has decided to end provision at Burley Grange in 2006/07. We are not intending to keep the building empty for long. They will have to decide what too do with it.
C.
Rather than adapt to Government policy, why not challenge it? The Police have challenged government policy and have had a victory. Colleges should unite and fight the directive. It is our money which creates the subsidy in the first place.
Q.
Who took the decision to make the cuts and why? The economy is strong.
Ans. John Lawton fro NIACE was introduced.
He stated that the UK is the 5th largest economy. The UK is regarded as slipping down the league table. The UK's skills base is not seen as compliant. Therefore the Government have decided to allocate the majority of money to vocational skills training, particularly for young people. Whilst understanding this, NIACE does not believe it should be at the expense of other courses. Many people will now have to work until they are 70. They will need to retrain throughout their lives. Older people have invested their taxes and want something in return. Employers should also pay more towards providing training as it benefits them. In the short term the emphasis is placed on 16-19 year olds, but there will be a reduction in numbers of youth entering the labour market soon, so the economy will need older people. This country should be able to afford training for youth and adults. The cuts could be worse next year.
What is needed is an open and honest dialogue before decisions are made.
Ans. Kevin Mc Guinness:
The College has made representations to the Government and to the local MP. Everyone here can also lobby them.
Q. From Caroline Jones, Chair of Burley Parish Council):
Why not fill Burley Grange with Leisure courses and charge the full price? You've not explored that option. There is not enough capacity at Bridge House.
What happens to the Burley Grange building afterwards is of great concern to all of us.
Ans.
We took great care when taking our decision.
C.
You did not consult. This is a room full of people wanting to be consulted. Many people might be willing to pay full fees to keep the courses local.
Ans.
We did not have time to consult.
Q.
I am a student at Bridge House in the art class. The facilities are awkward. I can't see how the classes will operate and the space is inadequate. Who own Bridge House and how long is the lease?
C.
If you dispose of Burley Grange and the lease ends on Bridge House, we could end up with neither. When Bradford College closed the main Ilkley campus, we were told that Bridge House would be temporary and that we would get a new building. We never did. Ans. The lease expires in 2010. There is no reason why it won't be renewed. The College was given Burley Grange by Bradford Council. There are no restrictions to selling it. There clearly would be planning issues, but there are no restrictive covenants.
Q.
I was marketing officer for Bradford College for 18 years. I have also been a student at Burley Grange. I don't like to come to open meeting to find that the decision has already been taken. The running costs of Burley Grange are low. I think Bridge House costs 34K per annum and is on a lease for 4 years. Is that right?
Ans.
Yes. Burley Grange costs in the region of 50K per annum. The Governing Body had to assess costs. We can provide further information relating to costs of Burley Grange following this meeting.
Subsequent note from College: Bridge House variable costs are £11,602 compared with £26,060 for Burley Grange. Hence, more savings can be made from Burley than Bridge House.
Q / C.
I have studied the local history and the background of how Burley Grange became a public building. It was bought by the people of Burley in 1905 through their rates.
It has been a public building for over 100 years. You are the present landlords of it. You are going to take it away from us and put it in private hands. Is this what you are telling us? Like Aireville Terrace School? This is now a set of flats and no longer part of the community of Burley. Burley is a living entity as a community. You are taking away a public building from us. Please recognise what you are doing. Please lobby for change in public policy. Ans. I do understand how you feel. The Governing body has responsibility to Bradford College. They have not discussed the future of Burley Grange. I will report your views back to the Governing body.
C. (Cllr M. Palmer):
I have seen the Minutes of the Governing body and in them it says "It will need to be decided how to dispose of Burley Grange. I know the decision has been made and we are not happy. When was it made? The decision, I suggest, was made before you heard about the latest cuts. Mrs Sutton confirmed that money had been allocated to put a lift in Burley Grange for the DDA. However in minutes from meetings in Sept. 2005, it was decided not to spend the money on Burley Grange.
Ans. Michele Sutton:
As we did not have an accommodation strategy at that time, we decided to delay the decision about making improvements in line with the DDA on a number of our buildings. For example, Joseph Nutter House and Junction Mills in Bradford as well as Burley Grange. We generally decided to hold back as we knew buildings may be disposed off at a later date.
Q.
Have you left other large communities without a leisure facility? It is our only one in Burley. Queens Hall is expensive. Also I am Secretary of the Lace-making Group the group has not been informed that we cannot meet at the Grange next year.
Ans. Mr Laycock:
The Curriculum Development Worker should have responded to you.
C.
You promised me an invoice and we have not received one. It took you until March to ask for money for 2005/06. Subsequent note from College: This has been settled. A receipt for payment has been sent.
Ans.
You will get an invoice.
Q.
I'm an ex student of Bradford College and have been involved in university administration. I have never seen such a cavalier treatment of a community.
Is there anything that can be done or is this a fait accomplis?
Ans.
I will report back to the Governing Board. I still believe we have taken the right decision to take all adult courses to Bridge House.
Q.
Will you review your decision?
Ans.
I will report back.
Q.
The College only exists to serve the community. We would like you to listen. Are there plans to install a lift in Bridge House over the summer, as people can't access upstairs?
C.
This is closure by stealth by the College
C.
We only found out via the newspapers.
Ans.
It was our intention to discuss the issue with local Councillors. However, the information was leaked to the Press before we had the opportunity.
Q.
Can you give a commitment to reconsider?
Ans.
I give a commitment to report back. The Governing Body will decide.
Q.
Why did you not involve the community in opposing the Government policy?
Q.
Have you worked out the economics of running Learning for Leisure Courses. They will cost aprox £100. Where do you expect demand to go?
Ans.
We believe their will be a demand. We have received a number of enrolments.
Q.
Why is your College effected most by the cuts?
Ans.
The size of the College.
Q.
I am concerned about staff who work at both venues e.g. the tutors. They are not sure whether they have a job from Sept '06. Some of the courses you are planning at Bridge House are at anti-social times This is inconvenient for workers and parents. If the prospectus is not out, how can some people have enrolled? We will also need to go to Westbrook to enrol, whereas last year we could enrol locally.
Ans.
We have had two meetings with staff and their individual situations are being taken into account. They will be redeployed. Bridge House will run between 9.15am and 9.15 pm except on Fridays. The staff said these hours would be best.
C.
I'm a tutor and have not been asked.
Ans.
All staff should have received a questionnaire. The 12 week courses have only been planned for the first term, so there are lots of opportunity to influence them in the future.
The Prospectus has been delayed because of the changes. We have brought enrolment forms tonight and you can also enrol at Burley Grange this Thursday and with the 25% discount. The prospectus will be out next week.
Q.
We should challenge the Government because of their pledge about Lifelong Learning and Education, Education, Education.
Ans.
Bradford College is working with the Association of Colleges which has been lobbying the Government. The College is also working with NIACE. The Local MP is also supporting Colleges by asking Parliamentary questions.
Ans. Cllr Dale Smith:
I am a Governor of Bradford College and I also have a great commitment to Burley Grange and Lifelong Learning. I have always said that I want to see facilities at Burley Grange, however the College is in a difficult position. The minutes of the Governing Body do refer to keeping Burley Grange in the public realm. I will ultimately support the College, but try to get Burley a fair share of provision.
C.
Many tutors will leave for other educational institutions.
Ans.
We have written to all tutors. Letters were sent out last Monday.
C.
Burley Grange is being regarded as a capital asset for disposal rather than as a community resource. If the College cannot fulfil its duty to care for Burley Grange, it should hand it back to the community.
Q.
I am amazed that you don't have a property strategy. You must have had one. You must have had one to make the decision not to put the lift into Burley Grange. You rent lots of buildings but are throwing away one your own. I would like to see the figures you based your decision on.
Q.
If there was a proposal to close Ilkley, would as many people attend to object?
Q.
What proportion of funded classes are sited in Wharfedale, rather than in the District.
If the deficit is £1.2 million, I can't believe that this can be met just by closing courses.
Ans.
The courses being closed are in equal proportion across the District and across Wharfedale. Course are being closed everywhere. We will cover all the deficit by cutting courses.
Q.
I attend Bridge House. Is it right that the College has proposed to make a 50% cut of part-time staff on the grounds that they don't require any class preparation time? Would you try and close Bolton Royd in the same way?
Q. (Caroline Jones.)
I urge you to re think. Why not hand the Burley Grange straight over to the community? They will run their own courses. The Parish Council has also recently written asking to use Burley Grange as their base. Please consult us over the future of the building.
Ans. (Kevin McGuiness).
I will commit to consult on that issue. We will pass all these comments onto the Governing Body.
Concluding Remarks
Cllr. Palmer thanked everyone for attending the Forum tonight. He stressed how this meeting had demonstrated how important the building is to the community in Burley.
Kevin McGuiness, Chair of Corporation, reiterated that he stills believes that the College has taken the right decision, that Burley Grange belongs to the College and that it is no different from any of their other buildings.
Cllr Palmer asked that:
* The decision be revisited as it was clearly the wrong decision
* If the building becomes empty for a long time, can you ensure that the community can still use Burley Grange as a venue, as space will be taken up in Queens Hall.
* Cllr Palmer asked for a show of hands in favour of the College handing the building over to the community. The response was unanimously in support.
Chris Flecknoe thanked the College representatives for their attendance and information to the meeting, and all the members of the public present for their interest and commitment.
The meeting finished at 9.15pm.