FENLAND: Sir Andrew's report concludes college chaos was predictable and probably avoidable

A REVIEW into the collapse of the Government s college building programme- which has jeopardised Fenland s �70million super campus- concluded the whole scheme was predictable and probably avoidable . Sir Andrew Foster s report into the delays which saw 1

A REVIEW into the collapse of the Government's college building programme- which has jeopardised Fenland's �70million super campus- concluded the whole scheme was "predictable and probably avoidable".

Sir Andrew Foster's report into the delays which saw 144 such schemes frozen says the programme "has been mismanaged. Mistakes have been made; there is disruption and agitation as a result".

His damning verdict notes that even after the problem had been recognised, and the funding body, the Learning and Skills Council, implemented the freeze, it still failed to properly inform colleges.

"At the heart of the problem is the absence of a proper long-term financial strategy and inadequate management, information and monitoring," he says.

Where that leaves the ambitious proposals for new campuses for the College of West Anglia and in March and at Kings Lynn remains to be seen.

However Sir Andrew Foster offers some faint consolation for Fenland since he is recommending that the programme should now be focused on a needs-based rather than a demand-led approach.

And that could mean that if Fenland's campaign for a new college focuses on highlighting the urgent need for the new college, there's a possibility it could yet receive funding, even though delays are inevitable.

The Government's Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is now working through Sir Andrew's report which was commissioned earlier this year once the crisis in funding became apparent. In advance of his report the LSC chief executive Mark Haysom quit.