SCOTLAND’S 47 further education colleges estimate they need pound;600 million over the next 10 years to improve the condition of buildings and estates.

Although the Scottish Executive insists more money than ever before has gone into the sector - from pound;289 million in 1998-99 to pound;436 million by 2004 - the amount earmarked for capital investment over 10 years would come to just pound;210 million at current levels.

Colleges’ estimates of their needs emerged in evidence from the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to the parliamentary inquiry into lifelong learning. The council has in the past been reluctant to reveal this figure, believing that it does not convey a true impression of colleges’ real needs; the rationalising of properties and moves by some colleges to new campuses would reduce the fabric costs over the next few years.

In its submission to the enterprise and lifelong learning committee of MSPs, the funding council reinforces this point. It says that “strategic questions” on the supply of FE have major implications for spending on college infrastructure and on the part the colleges should play in promoting lifelong learning.

The council reiterates its opposition to a “one size fits all” policy towards the merger, closure or relocation of colleges. It adds, however:

“The pattern of colleges created in the 1960s cannot be expected to be the optimal pattern to meet the changing needs of Scotland in the 21st century.”

The council is throwing its weight behind plans to rationalise FE in Glasgow, which a consultants’ report believes should be delivered by five colleges instead of 10.

The SFEFC evidence says the days of large, central campuses may soon be over. “Some colleges are looking at innovative models of delivery where school, college and higher education provision are located within a shared building. There may be a unique window of opportunity for this type of development over the next five years as school and college buildings of the 60s and 70s become obsolete.

“Distributed delivery through outreach centres may also provide better local services to communities. This can be done cost-effectively in collaboration with other education providers, but it is not necessarily a cheaper option if multiple centres have to be staffed and equipped.

“In addition ICT is transforming learning and teaching but students and lecturers invariably tell us that it must be supported by face-to-face interaction.”

The funding council also appears to have accepted the case argued by colleges serving remote and rural areas for a rethink of the way they are funded. In this year’s grant distribution, these colleges came off worst. Shetland’s grant fell by 15 per cent, Lews Castle in Stornoway saw a 5 per cent decrease, and Borders funding rose by less than 1 per cent - against an average rise in grant of 6.9 per cent.

“If people in these communities are to be offered similar choices to those in more populated areas, there may be additional costs involved in areas such as smaller class sizes, difficulties in finding qualified staff, and higher distribution, building and maintenance expenses,” the council notes.

Its submission reveals that FE in the Highlands costs 21 per cent more to deliver than the average for Scotland as a whole.

The main message to the parliamentary inquiry is that “lifelong learning will only become a reality once there is a concerted effort to provide opportunities which are genuinely flexible, appealing to both learners and employers and engaging to excluded groups”.