STAFF numbers at Halton College are to be slashed by one third after management announced this week that 177 staff are to become redundant.

The decision was taken last Wednesday night because new funding criteria mean refocusing on local needs and away from franchising.

Suspended principal Martin Jenkins aggressively pursued external contracts and franchises - they now account for 65 per cent of income.

But Mr Jenkins and his deputy Jenny Dolphin were suspended after a Further Education Funding Council investigation into spending was launched last year.

The college must now repay £9 million to the FEFC - wiping out its reserves.

Acting principal John Bolton blamed the redundancies on the fact that New Labour wants colleges to concentrate on local needs whereas Conservatives encouraged free market competition.

He said: "The last Government encouraged competition, commercial work and entrepreneurial activity. Halton College was more successful than most in pursuing this line and, as a result, lost its focus on local community provision.

"It was a high-risk strategy. The change in policy caught us on the wrong foot.

"It has been more difficult on colleges that have taken more risks."

He believes the FEFC should consider the cases of colleges with high external income carefully.

He said: "We are hopeful that the redundancies will not affect the quality of delivery.

"In no report are there any doubts cast on the quality of teaching in the college."

NATFHE union spokesman Colin Gledhill said: "We condemn the previous management for having let things get to this stage.

"It is appalling that an ill-conceived plan should have cost the livelihoods of hundreds of people."

While he supported the right of Mr Jenkins and Mrs Dolphin to be suspended on full pay, Mr Gledhill added: "Our members whose jobs are under threat find it that someone who has caused this can remain suspended on full pay."

And he called on the Government to help Halton College recover: "If this college is going to grow out of trouble, it needs help to do that."

A "shocke Unison spokesman Keith Bradley said: "With all the redundancies in the area already, it's another body blow for the community."

"We have already taken a vote of no confidence in the board and senior management. The people who are making these decisions have got to look at themselves.

PAT union spokesman Tony Thompson, said: "Our members are horrified and distressed by this announcement.

"We are shocked that the number of threatened redundancies has now more than doubled."

"It is very unfair that members are made redundant while the principal and his assistant are suspended on full pay."

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