COUNCILLORS are hoping to meet with Northwich’s high schools to work out the best way to secure a further education (FE) provision in the town.

Following a meeting with Warrington and Vale Royal College, which has now lodged a planning application to demolish its Hartford campus and build 108 homes in its place, members of Northwich Town Council agreed that the best route forward was a joint approach.

The last few courses held at Hartford will move to sister sites in Winsford and Warrington this year, with the college citing its ‘poor reputation’ and dwindling income in a business case explaining the closure.

Representatives from the college met with NTC members recently to discuss the issue of retaining FE outreach in Northwich.

Cllr Derek Bowden said: “Although I started off feeling some disdain at what is happening to the campus, we have to accept that if Northwich youngsters are going to continue to have access to local FE we have got to work with the college.

“I came in with a fairly negative attitude about them and left feeling much more positive. I think they were genuine.

“The decision was based on financial problems, which we know every college in the country faces.”

Councillors agreed, on Cllr Bowden’s proposal, to ask high school leaders to meet with them and discuss the next steps, including upping the liaison between council, schools and FE providers.

Citing FE as the ‘poor relation’ in the UK’s education system, Cllr Bowden added: “I know that the high schools will be as concerned about FE opportunities as any of us. They will have a whole cohort of learners who would benefit from it, and the town would benefit.”

Councillors agreed that the best way forward was to work with the college and other training providers to cement a future for FE in Northwich.

Cllr Andy Stott said: “They were quite honest with us. They quickly scuppered any talk of keeping the college building open.

“They are looking for buildings [to hire]. They said they had looked at Barons Quay and said ‘it’s not for us’, but due to information shared in that meeting they wanted to go away and have another look at it.

“They learned something that they weren’t aware of and will be maybe looking at Barons Quay again.”