Congress motions

Motion

Motion title

College building programme

Session

2008-2009

Meeting link

FE conference

Meeting date

28 May 2009

Status

Passed

Motion

FE6

Motion text

FE sector conference deplores the fact that many FE colleges have been put into financial difficulties because of the government's encouragement of new build.
We note that where new build has taken place, despite new technology and some showpiece features, the pressure to maintain financial security has resulted in a worsening of pay and conditions for staff and damage to the quality of education.
While we welcome investment in FE colleges to offset the poor physical state of the buildings in the sector due to lack of investment in the past, we note the decision of the LSC to delay making decisions on funding new build which is causing uncertainty in the sector and possible financial penalties on colleges as building costs escalate and the value of land declines.
FE should be prioritised for investment during the recession so that we have a generation prepared to face the new challenges of the future.
However we note:
the loss of space in many of the new builds and fears for the quality of building programmes
the risk that the new buildings are focused on the marketing aspect of attracting new students rather than the quality of the teaching and learning environment
the risk that refurbishment of existing buildings could be neglected
the risk that PFI type schemes will increasingly be used as a substitute to direct public sector funding.
Conference therefore demands that:
the government puts financial support in place to maintain the quality of FE for both staff and students
FE building programmes, where needed, should be fully planned and funded
the FEC develops a campaign that identifies and highlights the Health, Safety and Welfare problems facing staff and students in new buildings.

Proposing body

Yorkshire and Humberside region further education committee

Amended

Yes

Allocated to

Further education committee (FEC)

Notes