College restructure 'is not merger'

Feb 1 2012

Colleges will be restructured across new regions in a shake-up announced by Education Secretary Michael Russell.

Placing the institutions in 12 new areas will make them work more closely together while focusing on their local areas, he told the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Russell said: "Regionalisation is merely the means of restructuring the sector so that colleges work together to plan strategically but continue to deliver locally. It does not mean merger."

However, he told MSPs that mergers can be taken forward where it is desirable.

Mr Russell announced the new set-up and recommendations from two reports on higher education, which he said he broadly supports.

One study on governance, by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski of Robert Gordon University, calls for bonus payments at universities to be scrapped. He also recommends the establishment of a new Scottish Higher Education Forum and publication of the way pay is calculated.

A second report, by Professor Russel Griggs, chairman of Dumfries and Galloway College board, recommends the move to a regional structure. He also suggests the removal of a rule stopping people over 70 from being appointed to the governing body of a colleges.

Mr Russell said: "I'm delighted to say that I accept almost in its entirety the new regional structure professor Griggs proposes. It's essentially in tune with our own thinking."