Council defers decision on colleges co-location
Incredibly close voting at a recent consultation and a decision next month on the future of sixth form provision at two of Nuneaton’s schools have contributed to Warwickshire County Council today deciding to defer its decision on the proposals to co-locate two colleges into the heart of Nuneaton town centre.
A decision on the co-location of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and King Edward VI College into Nuneaton town centre was due to be made by the county council’s Cabinet on 24 April, but this has today been deferred to a later date.
Councillors have decided that there is a need to talk to partners further about the implications of the consultation results. They need to reflect on the closeness of the result and to have more time to consider concerns raised during the course of the consultation.
In addition, they also need to take into account a report due to be received by Cabinet on 22nd May regarding opportunities for Sixth Form provision for both Etone and St Thomas Moore schools.
Cllr Chris Saint, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “I believe that delaying the decision to a later date is the right thing to do considering the strong feelings surrounding these proposals.
"More time is needed to reflect on what turned out to be a very close result and we must have further discussions with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and the colleges before attempting a final decision. We can start to have meaningful discussions with the borough council soon after the May elections.”