Threat of redundancy hangs over Petroc staff
WORKERS at Petroc in Barnstaple have been receiving redundancy letters.
The Sticklepath-based college said it was too early to say how many members of staff would lose their jobs because an appeals process was under way. But it is thought up to 100 people will be made redundant as part of the cost-cutting drive.
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LOCAL HEROES: Hopps and Chapple throw themselves into community activities. Left, dressed as pantomime dames at the Queen's Theatre. Right, a spell in the stocks at a pre-school birthday party. Pictures: 0911-134_01; 0504-191_11
Letters were sent out towards the end of August after a consultation period.
In May, the college announced it was planning to make the cuts to save £2 million over the next two years.
The college, which employs 1,250 people in North Devon and Tiverton, said it was being forced to reduce running costs because of cuts in Government funding as well as an increase in costs for accommodation, staffing and building maintenance.
The college also said it had to service loans which it took out in preparation for a new building, the plans for which were mothballed last year, as well as repaying the debts it inherited when it merged with East Devon College in August, 2008. The redundancies are expected to hit those working in support and administration.
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3 Comments
by Sam, N.Devon
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 4:32PM
“Make sure that all the ones made redundant are Commie UNITE members.”
by Taxman, North Devon
Friday, September 03 2010, 9:50AM
“It does not surprise me that our education system is one of the worst in Europe; when senior management waste tax payers money without due consideration.
1. It was foolhardy to say the least that they took out such substantial loans before the rebuild was confirmed.
2. There were no advantages in combining with East Devon College. It was purely an exercise in 'empire building'.
2. The re-brand, Petroc, was a complete dogs dinner, and a total waste of scarce financial resources.
4. The college is overstaffed, and needs to be pruned. Furthermore, their salaries are excessive, and need to be adjusted accordingly.
Those responsible for these fiascos should have the good grace to resign - they have done nothing to improve the education standards of the students within North Devon. Their only interest is in themselves and their grossly inflated salaries!”
by sam, braunton
Friday, September 03 2010, 12:07AM
“shame.wasted money on name change, signs and stationery, wasted money on merging and diversifying from what should be the core of college ie education. dump the principal and save some serious money.....”