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Glasgow college merger
24/08/2010
All representations made to the Scottish Government over the proposed merger of three Glasgow colleges have been published today by Ministers to ensure the final decision making process remains open and transparent.
The move comes ahead of the Ministerial decision on the merger, due on September 1, 2010.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said:
"Both the Scottish Government and the colleges themselves have consulted widely on the proposal to merge the three colleges.
"The merger itself would be complex. We firmly believe in open government and feel it is important that whatever decision we reach is absolutely transparent. We are paying very close attention to all the views and representations which have been expressed to us as we approach our decision.
"We want all those with an interest to have easy access to the material on which Ministers will base our final decision on. The Scottish Government will continue to look closely at any further representations made in the forthcoming days, until September, 1."
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell, also intends to publish a note of Keith Brown's meeting on July 13 with Claire Baker MSP, David Whitton MSP and the college unions. Mr Russell has written to Ms Baker and Mr Whitton seeking permission to publish the note, and is currently awaiting their reply.