Clarity Urged Over Elmwood Withdrawal

The Scottish Lib Dems are urging Fife College to expand its provision in the North East.

It's after the instution announced plans to shut down its presence at the Elmwood campus in Cupar.

The Scottish Rural and Agricultural College is still based in the town.

The Lib Dems say prospective students in the region already receive poor options, before any withdrawal.

Liberal Democrats have challenged Fife College to expand the further education provision in North East Fife following the news that it plans to shut down its presence at the Elmwood campus.
 
Councillor Tim Brett and MSP Willie Rennie want a guaranteed commitment from the college.  Councillor Brett has written to Hugh Logan, the Principal of the College.
 
Councillor Brett said:
 “I am very anxious about what the proposed withdrawal from Elmwood will mean for Cupar and the wider North East Fife area. 
 
“We need clarity from the College as to their intentions. The sudden decision to shut down their presence on the Elmwood Campus generated a lot of concern.
 
“It would be unacceptable if courses were to be concentrated in Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline as North East Fife already has a very poor further education offer.  That needs to improve.”
 
Willie Rennie MSP said:
 “If the college is determined to withdraw from the Elmwood campus, leaving the Scottish Rural University College on the site, we want guarantees that the further education offer in the area will expand and not contract.
 
“Towns like Anstruther and St. Andrews need a better deal too.
 
“In Cupar courses have been limited to Hair and Beauty, Care and Social Sciences, and Skills for Life and Work.  This needs to expand so that more students can get access to the course they want closer to home. 
 
“The College Principal needs to provide clarity on his intentions and provide a guarantee that the courses available to students in North East Fife will expand.”