The chief executive of Bradford College has voiced "serious concerns" to the Learning and Skills Council about the failure of its bid to join forces with Keighley College.

Keighley College instead decided to merge with Park Lane College, Leeds, from this September.

Late last year Keighley governors rejected merger proposals from Bradford College, Craven College in Skipton and Newcastle College.

But the decision of the governing bodies has yet to be ratified by the Government's Learning and Skill's Council (LSC) which will send its recommendation for final approval by the Department for Education and Skills.

Now, in a letter to the LSC, Michele Sutton, principal and chief executive of Bradford College, has spelled out her concerns over a discussion document submitted to the LSC by Park Lane and Keighley colleges which gives details on the proposed merger.

Her letter is also critical of the LSC.

She says: "While the LSC appears to have a strategic view about the future of Leeds, it appears to have no vision whatever about that of Bradford and district.

"Bradford city and district has a particular set of circumstances and challenges - social and economic - that are not addressed by Leeds Park Lane in the discussion document.

"Bradford College sees itself as a key player in supporting the vision for Bradford and its young people and is disappointed to see no strategies to support the city and district in its aspirations."

Miss Sutton is also critical of what she sees as Park Lane College's desire to become the "Leeds City Regional College", despite Bradford College being the largest in Yorkshire.

She adds: "At no time has there been any discussion between the colleges' senior management teams, corporations or the LSC as to the desire, practicality or consequences of this idea.

"More generally, there is very little explanation of how the merged college, based in Leeds, will interact with Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Education Bradford and the partners in the Bradford Confederation."

She also claims the discussion document provides "no acknowledgement" on how the merged college will address the "issues of inequalities, disadvantage and diversity in the Bradford context."

Keighley College principal Chris Moore rejected Miss Sutton's arguments and said she was delighted with the progress which had been made on the merger.

She said: "Following a principled, transparent and rigorous merger process, Park Lane College Leeds was chosen as the most outstanding candidate to meet local needs and offered a true and open partnership.

"Many of the issues raised by Michele Sutton have already been fully considered and comprehensively addressed through this process."

Tony Longworth, Park Lane College Leeds principal, said: "The new merged college will provide specialist education and training opportunities which are appropriate for Keighley residents and employers."

Angela Dobson, LSC partnership director for the Bradford district, said a "transparent and robust" consultation process would come to an end on Monday.

A recommendation will then be sent to the DfES which will make a final decision later in the spring.

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