News

Funding cuts hit Pembrokeshire College jobs

Published

10 years ago

March 7, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Funding cuts hit jobs: Pembrokeshire College

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE confirmed to The Herald on Friday (March 7) that part-time courses will be hit following Welsh Government funding cuts.

Recent funding allocations issued to colleges across Wales show that funding for part-time courses would be cut by 50 per cent for academic year 2015/16 – however funding for basic skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities (LLDD) would be protected.

Overall the cuts will mean a £14.1 million reduction in funding for the further education sector in Wales.

As well as cuts to part-time funding, colleges will also need to make an efficiency gain of 2.6 per cent in the delivery of their full-time courses which is consistent with the efficiency gains required to be made by school sixth forms.

Pembrokeshire College is currently in the process of planning for this change and is working with staff to look at alternative delivery methods to try to minimise the impact on course delivery as much as possible. In reality the College is facing a cut in funding of £800,000 for 2015/16.

In addition to the Welsh Government cuts, there is also uncertainty regarding the Sector Priorities Fund aimed at providing part-time provision for employed adults over the age of 19. During 2014/15 this provided the College with funding in the region of £1 million but, as yet, the funding position for 2015/16 is unclear. As such, the College has entered into voluntary redundancy talks with its staff.

Trade Unions UCU, ATL and UNISON who represent members in FE Colleges across Wales said they are outraged by the scale of funding cuts announced by the Welsh Government, which have been imposed on Welsh FE Colleges through decisions made in Westminster. Speaking on behalf of the joint trade unions, Hugh McDyer, Area Organiser for Unison, commented: “We are working closely with Pembrokeshire College to avoid compulsoryredundancies and will continue as unions to campaign for a fair deal for FE. There has to be government commitment to provide adequate funding to the FE sector, to protect ‘second chance’ learning and the life changing opportunities that this can provide for thousands of adults in both Wales and the rest of the UK.”

The funding cuts will not affect the College’s ability to deliver full-time courses aimed at 16-18 year olds. College Principal, Sharron Lusher, commented: “Here, it is very much a case of business as usual to ensure our young learners achieve excellent results again this year. Our outstanding A-level results last year resulted in 33.3% of our students achieving A – A* and 37% of students studying Extended Diplomas achieved Distinction/Distinction*. In 2014 we saw 165 of our learners progressing into universities and higher education – a significant number. Upskilling the unemployed and adults in the most need of basic skills training will also remain as a core activity of the College.”

She commented further: ‘I met with staff today and recognise that it is a difficult message to deliver to a team of staff who have shown their dedication to delivering high quality part-time education and training to learners from across Pembrokeshire for many years – we are working hard to minimise the impact of the funding reductions.”

News

CCRC invites public to observe 5th Annual Open Board Meeting

Published

25 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is inviting members of the public to its fifth annual Open Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 26 November 2024. The meeting will be held via Zoom, running from 10:30am to 12:30pm, and is open to everyone interested in attending.

How to join the meeting

To participate, you will need a device such as a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet with access to the Zoom platform. The Zoom application can be downloaded for free online by searching for “Zoom app.” A stable internet connection is recommended.

To join the meeting, use the following link shortly before 10:30am on the day:

Join the zoom meeting
Passcode: 034573

For any technical difficulties, please email: [email protected]

Meeting agenda

The agenda for the meeting is available here. Minutes from the session will be published on the CCRC’s website after the event.

Submitting questions

While questions cannot be addressed during the meeting, the CCRC will respond to inquiries related to the agenda items discussed. Questions should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Tuesday, 3 December. Responses will be provided by email and may also be published on the CCRC website.

Please note that questions about individual cases will not be addressed.

For further details, visit the CCRC website.

Community

Find out more about what’s coming next in Haverfordwest’s regeneration journey

Published

49 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY evening will be held this week with the contractor taking on construction of the new modern Public Transport Interchange (PTI) for Haverfordwest.

Kier Construction Ltd will be at HaverHub on Thursday, 21^st November for people to meet the team and find out more about the development which is due to start its rebuild phase imminently.

The event will be open 3pm to 7pm and is a fantastic opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the plans.

The scheme forms part of the South West Wales Metro project and will provide a modern and innovative transport hub, integrating all transport modes.

Designs include improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities through the site, a more efficient and integrated bus station, and construction of a new modern multi-storey.

Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “This is another exciting step in the extensive regeneration of Haverfordwest and we are looking forward to seeing construction starting on this latest project.”

The bus station will be integrated within the PTI with seven bus bays and upgraded passenger facilities and a new multi-storey will have around 280 spaces, and be much easier to use for drivers.

Green credentials are also important with electric vehicle charging points included – with further vehicle charging expansion built-in and future-proofed – and solar panels installed on the new car park roof.

An upgraded public realm will further improve the environment around the Interchange and promoting Active Travel such as walking and cycling.

The project also involves improving car parking provision and local bus access at Haverfordwest railway station.

Local Member, Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “I welcome this public engagement event which is an opportunity for all to come together to share and learn about the various projects that are ongoing, which can only improve our county town for both residents and visitors alike.”

No booking is required for the event, just drop in at a time that suits you.

Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We look forward to meeting with the residents of Haverfordwest at this community evening and sharing the exciting plans we have for this project.

“Kier is incredibly proud of its Welsh roots and can trace them back over 40 years and are thrilled to be extending this experience in Haverfordwest.”

Kier also plans to have a presence on the Riverside Shopping Centre, where people will be able to drop in to find out more once work begins this month.

The temporary Riverside car park has closed to allow for the development to start.

More information on car parking in Haverfordwest is available at: Haverfordwest car parks

News

Feedback wanted on Council’s My Account online services

Published

51 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

USERS of Pembrokeshire County Council’s My Account are being asked for feedback
to help continue to improve their experience.

My Account is the platform for all of the Council’s online services.

My Account allows customers to make payments, report problems, sign up for
service notifications such as waste and recycling collections and school closures,
and check local planning applications. These are just some of the services available.

The survey will take less than five minutes to complete.

Please complete the survey before Wednesday 27 November.

If you do not currently use My Account you can register online.