Campaign keeps up pressure to save Burley Grange

11:06am Thursday 29th June 2006

THE CAMPAIGN to keep Burley Grange open and preserve further education in Wharfedale has gained firm backing from city chiefs.

A full meeting of Bradford Council this week agreed a proposal by Coun Matt Palmer (Con, Wharfedale), to take the official view that the Grange should be kept in use for adult education. The council has agreed to write to the principal of Bradford College, Michele Sutton, informing her of the council's view.

In a further bid to persuade the college authorities to change their minds, Coun Palmer is calling on Menston, Burley and Ilkley people to attend a special public meeting in the village on Tuesday, July 11. He believes the meeting may not only be critical in the campaign to keep Burley Grange Open, but also for the long-term future of adult education courses in Ilkley.

Coun Palmer welcomed Bradford Council's backing for Save Our College.

"The council can't force the college to retain the Grange, but this is really good new for the campaign. It demonstrates that the whole of Bradford is behind us in trying to save these facilities."

Coun Palmer hopes students, college lecturers and anyone concerned about the future of further education of Wharfedale will come to the July 11 meeting, which will take place at Burley Oaks Primary School, Langford Lane, starting at 7.30pm.

Bradford College, formerly known as Bradford and Ilkley College, recently announced it was closing the Grange from September and raising course fees for certain types of course, following the Government's decision to withdraw a large subsidy.

Government further education priorities have shifted towards courses which lead to a qualification, and particularly those helping 16 to 19-year-olds to find employment. Students of leisure learning' courses will now have to pay full price for their courses, which many say they cannot afford.

More than 1,000 signatures are now believed to be on the petition organised by Coun Palmer to keep Burley Grange open. Students based in Ilkley are also urging residents to write to Bradford Council and talk to local councillors, telling them they are concerned about the future of local further education.

As well as course cost rises and changes to the courses on offer in Wharfedale, college staff recently learned that they are facing significant pay cuts, and Coun Palmer has requested information about possible redundancies under the Freedom of Information Act.

Bradford and Ilkley College used to run Ilkley College at Wells House, which has now been sold off and converted to housing. Critics fear that this could also be the fate of Burley Grange, and also fear Bridge House in Ilkley, which is leased by the college, could be next in line. Students fear higher course fees may deter people from studying at the local centre, which could lead college bosses to decide it is not worth keeping it open.

Copies of the Burley Grange petition are available online at (www.saveourcollege.com) or can be signed at shops in Burley and, during office hours, at the Ilkley Gazette office, 8 Wells Road, Ilkley.