SAVAGE funding cuts are to blame for impending redundancies at Warwickshire College, according to its new principal.
We reported last week how the college was accused of lavish spending of taxpayers money by The University and College Union (UCU) after it discovered principal Marianne Cavalli – currently on temporary leave of absence for unspecified reasons – had received a £50,000 pay rise over the past two years.
The news came just a month after it was revealed a £3million shortfall in funding meant nearly 100 jobs at sites in Moreton Morrell, Henley, Leamington, Warwick, Rugby and Pershore were at risk of redundancy.
The collegehas around 16,000 students.
Sue Georgious, former chair of governors at the college and new interim principal, said: “The underlying reasons for change predate recent events and are fundamentally based on the savage funding cuts affecting not only us but all colleges across the Further Education sector.
“The College has continued to examine where cost savings can be achieved with minimal redundancies and remains committed to doing so.
“The UCU are damaging their members, the wider staff and the sector by not moving forward. I would implore them to stop trying to conduct this debate through the press and to allow us to begin formal consultation for the good of their members and the rest of our staff.”
www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2014/07/09/news-Questions-asked-over-%27lavish%27-spending-at-Warwickshire-College-110422.html
