College with Black Country campuses closing two sites to save money

Birmingham Metropolitan College's perilous financial state was highlighted in a review by Further Education Commissioner Doctor David Collins, with the next few months deemed 'critical' to its chance of recovering.

The college - which has campuses in Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Great Barr and Kidderminster - has sold off its Language Centre in Highgate, Birmingham and a property in Castle Vale.

It has not been suggested that any Black Country sites are under threat at this stage.

Dr Collins was sent in to conduct his review a months after the college was ranked as requires improvement by Ofsted and revealed plans to slash staff numbers by more than 240.

He criticised previous management of the establishment's finances, which had 'seriously overstated' income forecasts for the current year.

However, college bosses were commended for their efforts to resolved its financial problems - although the success of these measures can only be judged in time.

"Until early 2015 the standard of financial management and control in the college was not acceptable," said Dr Collins.

In a letter to college bosses, Skills and Equalities Minister Nick Boles wrote: "Although the college now has in place the expected policies and process in order to achieve quality and financial recovery, the next few months will be critical to determine whether or not financial recovery can be achieved.

"The college needs to focus on delivering a more sustainable financial position, while ensuring that it delivers a high quality learning offer that meets the needs of learners and employers."

Principal Andrew Cleaves said: "We are pleased that the FE Commissioner has recognised all the hard work that has been done over the past few months.

"He reports that our recovery plan is impressive, which reflects the fact that the college has taken a number of actions to improve our position and we have a robust plan in place.

"Since spring this year we have significantly reduced expenditure and undertaken a successful voluntary severance programme which delivered targeted savings.

"We have recently sold off a campus in Castle Vale and will continue to make sensible decisions to improve our efficiency and to use our estate as effectively as possible."

A total of 246 people opted for voluntary severance while there were also six compulsory redundancies.

Before the staff cuts, BMet had 1,600 staff across 14 sites which include Stourbridge's Hagley Road campus, Brierley Hill's Art and Design Centre and Advanced Technology Centre, the James Watt campus in Great Barr and Kidderminster Academy.