Bromley and Orpington Colleges merger
Congratulations to Bromley and Orpington Colleges who have just received Ministerial approval to merge. As I said in my letter of support for the merger plans back in March, this change will create a stronger educational hub that will benefit the entire Bromley area.
- Notes -
Below is a copy of Bob Neill’s letter to the Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency in March, outlining his support for the merger proposals.
Dear Geoff,
RE: the Proposed Merger of Orpington College of Further Education (Orpington College) and Bromley College of Further and Higher Education (Bromley College)
As you know, your agency is currently managing a consultation on proposals to merge Bromley College and Orpinton College and has asked for input from a range of stakeholders. Given that the former institution is sited in my constituency, I thought it would be apposite to place on record my strong support for this merger.
Having studied the material submitted by the Governing Bodies of both Colleges in some detail, it is clear that the model being proposed does meet all the necessary criteria as set out in the then Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills’ 2008 document, Further Education Colleges - Models for Success.
Most notably, I feel that the criterion of providing better value for money is something that is of huge importance for the sustainability of Bromley’s learning and development sector. Within the context of today’s economic climate, there is a strong case for institutions better utilising their facilities and making efficiency savings, where appropriate. A joining of these two colleges would greatly facilitate this process and it would, in turn, allow the new Bromley College of Further and Higher Education to shield resources for the frontline activities that students and employers rely upon.
It makes little sense continuing with the status quo whereby two colleges, which lie in such close proximity to one another, are having to compete as standalone institutions and I am confident that the proposed collaborative merger will create a stronger educational hub that will benefit the entire Bromley area.
I trust that these views will be of interest and will feed in to your consultation on this proposed merger.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Neill MP