WIRRAL SOUTH MP Ben is dismayed and angry that Wirral Metropolitan College Corporation Board plans to dispose of its Carlett Park site in Eastham. Birkenhead-based estate agents Smith and Sons says there is interest from firms wanting space.

Mr Chapman pledges to fight on to save the college and is preparing to present a petition to the House of Commons. "I am told the decision was taken in little over half an hour at the Board meeting. This is not the way to make a decision on such an important matter.

"I am particularly disappointed that they have completely ignored the views of the public. It is unacceptable that a self-appointed Board can over-ride the views of thousands of people who signed the petition or who have written to me against closure in the way they have. They have also paid scant attention to the vote of no confidence passed by the democratically elected Wirral Borough Council.

"In my view, the Board and Principal have presided over a catalogue of disasters of which this is just another. I do not think the governance of the College is in appropriate hands.

"I will do all I can to prevent the implementation of the decision. It was Withens Lane yesterday, it is Carlett Park today and it will be Borough Road tomorrow. What price Further Education in Wirral under the current leadership?"

Wirral Met College Principal Jenny Shackleton assures students at Carlett Park, their courses will not be affected. They will be much improved at the IBMC in Birkenhead.

Said Ms Shackleton: "Students will have the same staff, facilities will be much better with better equipment as well."

Approval for the new Conway Park campus will be sought from the Further Education Funding Council. The College is planning for all provision which is to move from Carlett Park to Borough Road or IBMC in Birkenhead, to be in place by September 1999.

Ms Shackleton stressed the importance of small neighbourhood colleges, and potential sites have been identified in Liscard, Bromborough/Eastham, Heswall and West Kirby.

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