Agenda item

Councillor Johnson submitted the following:

University for the Creative Arts

 

This Council notes with concern the proposal by the University for the Creative Arts to close its campus in Medway and to cease Further Education (FE) provision across all its campuses, including its FE provision in Medway. This move will result in the loss of approximately 150 highly-skilled and well-paid jobs, the loss of 280 FE students and the loss of 1,000 HE students in Medway. 

 

This Council:

 

·       Recognises the central role played by the UCA and its predecessors in the economic, cultural and educational life of the Medway area since the nineteenth century.

 

·       Recognises the key role played by the creative sector in the Medway economy and in Medway’s cultural life.

 

·       Appreciates the vital contribution of the UCA to Medway’s bid for City of Culture.

 

·       Understands the importance of education in the creative arts to raising the aspirations of Medway residents, particularly our young residents, and to enhancing skill levels.

 

Council acknowledges that the loss of the UCA in Medway will have an unacceptable impact on our future and therefore resolves to undertake all possible measures to ensure that there is a continued and significant presence of the UCA within Medway, including:

 

·       Urgently identifying appropriate accommodation and facilitating its use by the UCA.

 

·       Vigorously pursuing options, including investment options, for partnerships with Medway Council and others that will ensure that the UCA remains in Medway.

 

·       Urgently engage with MPs and government to identify a resolution that safeguards the UCA’s vital contribution to Medway’s economy, educational provision and the diversity and creativity of our cultural life.

Minutes:

Councillor Johnson proposed an alteration to his previously submitted motion. In accordance with Council Rule 11.4.1, the meeting’s consent was signified without discussion, therefore, the altered motion, supported by Councillor Jarrett was considered as follows [changes from the published motion are shown in bold]:

 

“University for the Creative Arts: Motion to Council

 

This council notes with concern the proposal by the University for the Creative Arts to close its campus in Medway and to cease Further Education provision across all its campuses, including its FE provision in Medway.  This move will result in the loss of approximately 150 highly-skilled and well-paid jobs, the loss of 280 FE students and the loss of 1,000 HE students in Medway.  This council:

 

  • Recognises the central role played by the UCA and its predecessors in the economic, cultural and educational life of the Medway area since the nineteenth century
  • Recognises the key role played by the creative sector in the Medway economy and in Medway’s cultural life
  • Appreciates the vital contribution of the UCA to Medway’s bid for City of Culture
  • Understands the importance of education in the creative arts to raising the aspirations of Medway residents, particularly our young residents, and to enhancing skill levels.

 

Council acknowledges that the loss of the UCA in Medway will have an unacceptable impact on our future and therefore resolves to undertake all possible practical measures to ensure that there is a continued and significant presence of the UCA within Medway, including:

 

  • Urgently help in identifying appropriate accommodation and facilitating its use by the UCA
  • Vigorously pursuing options, including investment options, for partnerships with Medway Council and others that will ensure that the UCA remains in Medway
  • Working with partner organisations to find a HE solution that will give the UCA every opportunity of retaining a presence in Medway
  • Urgently engage with MPs and government to identify a resolution that safeguards the UCA’s vital contribution to Medway’s economy, educational provision and the diversity and creativity of our cultural life.”

 

Decision:

 

Upon being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried:

 

University for the Creative Arts

 

This Council notes with concern the proposal by the University for the Creative Arts to close its campus in Medway and to cease Further Education (FE) provision across all its campuses, including its FE provision in Medway. This move will result in the loss of approximately 150 highly-skilled and well-paid jobs, the loss of 280 FE students and the loss of 1,000 HE students in Medway. 

 

This Council:

 

  • Recognises the central role played by the UCA and its predecessors in the economic, cultural and educational life of the Medway area since the nineteenth century.

 

  • Recognises the key role played by the creative sector in the Medway economy and in Medway’s cultural life.

 

  • Appreciates the vital contribution of the UCA to Medway’s bid for City of Culture.

 

  • Understands the importance of education in the creative arts to raising the aspirations of Medway residents, particularly our young residents, and to enhancing skill levels.

 

Council acknowledges that the loss of the UCA in Medway will have an unacceptable impact on our future and therefore resolves to undertake all practical measures to ensure that there is a continued and significant presence of the UCA within Medway, including:

 

  • Urgently help in identifying appropriate accommodation and facilitating its use by the UCA.

 

  • Working with partner organisations to find a HE solution that will give the UCA every opportunity of retaining a presence in Medway.

 

  • Urgently engage with MPs and government to identify a resolution that safeguards the UCA’s vital contribution to Medway’s economy, educational provision and the diversity and creativity of our cultural life.