Northumberland College recovering after cash troubles

Jan 18 2010 by Dave Black, The Journal

FINANCES have improved at a North East college where teachers voted for strike action last year in protest at cost-cutting measures, according to a new report.

Eight months ago a ballot of lecturers at the Ashington-based Northumberland College resulted in 82% supporting strike action and 96% backing industrial action short of a strike.

The ballot of the 130-member local branch of the University and College Union (UCU) came after management refused to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of a cost-cutting drive to shed 33.5 full-time equivalent posts from the 300-strong workforce.

The threat of industrial action was eventually called off after the dispute was resolved at a meeting between UCU officials and college bosses.

Now an Ofsted inspection report on the college says its financial health has improved, following a period of “considerable financial instability” in which it ran up a deficit in its operating costs.

The report says: “Actions have been taken to reduce expenditure and secure further efficiencies. Robust management systems are now in place.

“Senior management and the governing body closely monitor the financial position of the college.”

The Ofsted report also says staff morale remains high despite the Learning and Skills Council withdrawing funding for a £100m plan to build modern campuses at three locations in the county.

Inspectors who visited the college in October say it is on the right track to make and sustain improvements. They rated it as satisfactory overall and awarded a grade of ‘good’ for its capacity to improve.

The report says outcomes for learners are satisfactory and improving and that the college’s strategic plan provides an ambitious direction for development and improvement, and ensures it responds well to the needs of the local communities it serves.

It highlights improvements in success and retention rates, and significant improvements in achievements on college apprenticeships.

The college has also been rated as good in four out of five of the subject areas covered in the inspection – health, care and public services, engineering and manufacturing technologies, construction and sport, travel and tourism.

Yesterday principal and chief executive Rachel Ellis-Jones said the inspection followed a difficult period for the college but, despite the disappointment of missing out on funding for new buildings, both students and staff had maintained high levels of commitment.

She added: “We are pleased with the outcome of the report. It acknowledges the progress we have made and shows that we are moving in the right direction to achieve our ambition of becoming an exceptional college.”

Last year the UCU claimed that between 40 and 50 teaching and support staff could lose their jobs as a result of the proposed cutbacks, which were proposed in the face of a £1.2m budget deficit.