Local news
The Future for Adult Education in Merton?
ADULT EDUCATION IN MERTON UNDER SCRUTINY AS A POSSIBLE AREA FOR BUDGET CUTS
Latest news from Merton Council:
Merton’s Adult Education is one of the first services to come under review as the council kicks off budget discussions ahead of next year. With funding for local councils reduced again this year, the council needs to find £32m of savings over the next four years. In order to find these savings a full review of all services is taking place. While the council is fully committed to adult education and a continued service in the borough, reductions in government funding means the council will now need to look at alternative options to deliver the service.
All council services will be affected to some degree, driven by the overall need to find savings, but as in previous years the Cabinet have decided that children’s services and social care for older people will have a lower level of cuts, compared to other services. The final budget will be agreed by all Councillors at the annual budget meeting in March 2015.
It would seem that the Adult Education Centre in Watley Avenue may be under threat. Staff there have recently received a letter. Our Ward Councillor, Mary-Jane Jeanes, tells us that she's seen the letter. The council is carrying out a review of of Merton Adult Education: http://news.merton.gov.uk/2014/10/16/council-kicks-off-budget-with-difficult-decisions/
Six options are being considered:
"1. MAE continues as it currently is, with some cahnges in the service sturcture ir order to meet budget reductions.
2. MAE forms a shared service otherwise known as a soft federation with South Thames College sharing back office and management functions.
3. MAE forms a shared service otherwise known as a soft federation with SCOLA sharing back office and management functions. (SCOLA is the Sutton College of Learning for Adults)
4. Merton closes the college and becomes a commissioner of adult education services.
5. Merton closes the college and becomes a commissioner of adult education services with Wandsworth.
6. Merton ceases delivering adult education returning trhe funding to the Skills Funding Agency."
A final decision is due in January 2015. Proposed changes, if any, will not implemented until the new academic year (August 2015).
