Threat of redundancy hangs over Petroc staff

WORKERS at Petroc in Barnstaple have been receiving redundancy letters.

The Sticklepath-based college said it was too early to say how many members of staff would lose their jobs because an appeals process was under way. But it is thought up to 100 people will be made redundant as part of the cost-cutting drive.

Letters were sent out towards the end of August after a consultation period.

In May, the college announced it was planning to make the cuts to save £2 million over the next two years.

The college, which employs 1,250 people in North Devon and Tiverton, said it was being forced to reduce running costs because of cuts in Government funding as well as an increase in costs for accommodation, staffing and building maintenance.

The college also said it had to service loans which it took out in preparation for a new building, the plans for which were mothballed last year, as well as repaying the debts it inherited when it merged with East Devon College in August, 2008. The redundancies are expected to hit those working in support and administration.

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