MP's concern over college future

Mr Barker toured the college site at Penland Road on Monday to see first hand the construction of the new campus, which is due to welcome its first students in September 2004.

He used the visit to voice his concerns about the area's current education review, which could see the college merged into a new tertiary institution along with Hastings College.

He said: "It has been clear from the start that the unelected, unaccountable Learning and Skills Council was driving hell for leather in this direction.

"I want to see education standards levered up in our area and I want a far closer relationship between our local schools and Bexhill College, yet I remain extremely sceptical that the LSC's 'one size fits all' model is right for Bexhill.

"I welcome the fact that the review anticipates the establishment of a sixth form facility at Battle that is long overdue. However I want cast iron guarantees about the future of Bexhill College.

"I am concerned that under the new proposals, the real potential of this new site will not be realised. The Bexhill site could be deprived of the funds it actually needs to develop its full offer.

"Any new money, and I am still not convinced any will be actually squeezed out of this government. could be skewed towards Hastings. Bexhill College must not become the poor relation of the Hastings hub. Choice and diversity are the hallmarks of good education and it is hard to see how you achieve that with one great institution ruled over by yet another tier of bureaucrats."