A NEW college campus in Scotland has come a step closer after it won council backing.
East Renfrewshire councillors voted 12 to eight in favour of a business case for the development, giving the council's directors of environment and finance permission to start designing the campus facility.
They also approved £7.8 million of capit
al funding in principle, subject to approval of the council's capital fund for 2010-11 onwards, in February next year. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which provides government cash for colleges, has agreed to contribute £3m.
Currently, East Renfrewshire does not have a college within its boundaries. A site has been identified in Barrhead and one of the key subjects will be tourism, which the council is hoping to promote.
The new college would not be an independent institution, but would be a campus where neighbouring colleges could offer courses.
Reid Kerr College in Paisley has been the main partner, with Cardonald and Langside colleges in Glasgow and James Watt in Greenock also hoping to have a campus presence. Plans for the campus include a replacement library for Barrhead, a conference centre and a business and employment zone.
If capital funding is agreed in February, the anticipated opening date would be September 2013 and would be a key part of regeneration plans for Barrhead.
Jim Fletcher, East Renfrewshire council leader, said: "Experienced consultants have ascertained demand for the facility, as have our own education department and the principals of the colleges, who are committed to the project."
Ken Macintosh, the local MSP, said: "Particularly at college level, these things really do make a difference – it's surprising how many people are stopped from making that education leap because of the geographical barrier of going to another community to go to college. There is no doubt whatsoever this addresses a real need in East Renfrewshire."
An SFC spokesman said: "We're excited about the potential of this project and we look forward to working with East Renfrewshire Council and the colleges to look at innovative solutions to provide education.
"Our investment will help ensure the people in and around the Barrhead area will be able to access further education on their own doorsteps."
