Cornwall Council Considers Closure of Seven Adult Education Centers

Seven adult education facilities across Cornwall are being considered for closure, the council has announced. Cornwall Council stated that the number of adults enrolling in education has not recovered since the Covid-19 pandemic, and increased inflation costs have caused these sites to operate at a deficit. The centres identified as being at risk of closure are located in Camelford, Callington, Torpoint, Saltash, Launceston, Penzance, and St Austell. The council indicated that any student enrolled at a centre that closes may be transferred to an alternative facility, to online learning, or to a college such as Truro and Penwith College and Cornwall College. Councillor Barbara Ellenbroek, who holds responsibility for adult education, remarked: “The financial challenges facing all local authorities mean we simply cannot keep providing a service if we are losing money, especially when we can maintain access to courses through alternative delivery methods.” The adult education service is delivered by the council but receives funding from the Department for Education, which is based on the number of learners. Ellenbroek added: “This is not a case of reducing our offering, it is about delivering it in the most cost-effective way to ensure we are providing the very best value for money for our residents.” The council confirmed that the centres in Bude, Newquay, Liskeard, St Dennis, Bodmin, Helston, Truro, Camborne, Hayle, and Falmouth would remain open.