Assignation of Argyll College to the Regional Strategic Body

Section 4: Consultation On The Assignation Of Argyll College

4.1 This consultation follows on from the SFC’s proposal to Scottish Ministers that the College should be assigned to UHI. Section 7C of the 2005 Act sets out the requirements in relation to assignation of colleges, including those that are not fundable post-16 education bodies or formerly assigned to another RSB.

“(1) The Scottish Ministers may by order assign colleges of further education to a regional strategic body.

(2) An order may assign a college which is not, immediately before the order is made, either-

(a) a fundable post-16 education body; or

(b) assigned to another regional strategic body,

only if the Council has proposed, or has approved, the assignation.

(3) For the purposes of considering whether or not to propose or approve any assignation under subsection (2), the Council must have regard to the desirability of ensuring that the college concerned is a body for which there are suitable provisions, procedures and arrangements of the type described by or under section 7(2).”

In coming to a decision on whether to recommend the College’s assignation to UHI we have considered the College’s compliance with:

(a) the fundable body criteria (i.e. the criteria set out in section 7(2) of the 2005 Act); and

(b) the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges (in respect of the first criterion, which is “suitable provision in relation to the governance and management of the body”).

4.2 This consultation paper seeks comments on the proposed assignation of the College to UHI. It is a statutory requirement in terms of section 7C(6) of the 2005 Act for Ministers to consult with specified bodies before making an order to assign a college to a RSB.

4.3 A list of consultees is at Annex A .

4.4 Consultation is an essential part of the policy making process. It gives us the opportunity to get your opinion and expertise on a proposed area of work. You can find all Scottish Government forthcoming, open and closed consultations online at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/

4.5 Each consultation details the issues under consideration, as well as a way for you to give us your views, either online, by email or by post. After a consultation is closed we publish all responses where we have been given permission to do so.

4.6 Responses are analysed and used as part of the policy making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. Responses to this consultation will help to inform possible changes to legislation.

Proposed timeline

4.7 If the assignation proceeds after the end of the consultation period, Ministers would expect to make an order to assign the College to UHI by the end of 2018.

Deadline

4.8 The consultation was published on 28th May 2018 and closes at midnight on 25th June 2018.

How to Respond

4.9 You can respond to this consultation online, by email, or by post.

Respond Online

4.10 To respond online please use the Scottish Government’s Consultation Hub. You can save and return to your response at any time while the consultation is open. But please ensure that your response is submitted before the consultation closes at midnight on 25th June 2018. You will automatically be emailed a copy of your response after you submit it.

4.11 If you choose this method you will be directed to complete the Respondent Information Form. The Respondent Information Form lets us know how you wish your response to be handled, and in particular whether you are happy for your response to be made public.

Other Ways to Respond

4.12 If you prefer you can also submit a written response in hard copy to:

Julia McAteer

Colleges, Young Workforce and SFC Sponsorship Division
Scottish Government
6th Floor, Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow G2 8LU

Or, by email to ScotGov_Colleges_Mailbox@gov.scot

4.13 If you would like to submit your response by email or by post, please ensure that you complete the Respondent Information Form provided at Annex B and attach it alongside your response. The Respondent Information Form lets us know how you wish your response to be handled, and in particular whether you are happy for your response to be made public.

Next Steps

4.14 After the consultation has closed we will analyse all the responses received and use your feedback to help inform the development of the Assignation of Argyll College. Where permission has been given, we will make all responses available to the public at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/. The responses to the consultation and analysis will be published following the consideration of the responses received.

Enquiries and complaints

4.15 If you have a query about the consultation process, or a complaint about how this consultation has been conducted you can send your query by email to Julia.mcateer@gov.scot, or by hard copy to:

Julia McAteer

Colleges, Young Workforce and SFC Sponsorship Division
6th Floor, Atlantic Quay
150 Broomielaw
Glasgow G2 8LU