THE SWINGEING cuts at Halton College may not be the end of the financial pain as it will be 10 years before the college breaks even again, it was claimed this week.

A public meeting was held on Tuesday as unions repeated their calls on the Government to step in with help for the college.

Management last week announced plans to make 177 staff (one third of total) redundant as repercussions of Martin Jenkins' reign as principal continue.

The Further Education Funding Council report into the saga has already been put back a number of times over the past year and is now scheduled for release in mid-April.

As Cheshire Police confirmed that they are still looking into the financial activities at the college, unions representing the majority of college staff appealed to the Government to take decisive action.

Colin Gledhill, of the NATFHE teaching union, said: "One year's worth of savage surgery will reset the place to be viable. On the other hand it will be 10 years before the college breaks even again."

As regards the delaying of the report: "I don't know what they are hanging on for. It all goes to compound the uncertainty".

Unison rep Keith Bradley said: "We would like to see some positive action from the Government and we haven't had any."

He said Unison had tried to use its influence with the Labour Party to find reasons behind the delay in releasing the report, but had gotten nowhere: "They have kept it so close to their chests, but people should be accountable""

"I feel aggrieved that of the 177 redundancies, 30 of which are apprentices and that calls into question the future of young people at the college."

Mr Gledhill said it was unfair on NATFHE members to have to pay for the mistakes of the previous regime: "They are the very people the strongest opposition to it all.

"All the independent governors were supposed to be appointed for their expertise in running businesses. But what sort of oversight is that?"

He added that unions and management were still exploring the possibility of sending a joint delegation to London to hold talks on the college's future with the Government.

CHAIRMAN of the governors at Halton College David Taylorson said he hoped that the full range of courses would still be offered in September.

A special committee would meet "shortly" to consider the futures of principal Martin Jenkins and vice-principal Jenny Dolphin, both currently suspended on full pay.

They were suspended last summer pending the outcome of an inquiry by the Further Education Funding Council.

Asked whether there would be disciplinary action against individual board members, Mr Taylorson replied: "As all board members are volunteers, it is inappropriate to consider any disciplinary action."

Independent consultants had undertaken a review of board performance and recommendations had been implemented.

New Government guidelines on board constitution were also to have a future effect.

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