COST OF RELOCATION OF DARTINGTON COLLEGE

That this House notes the failure of the Dartington Trust and Dartington College of Arts to secure the future of the College in the South Devon area despite the best efforts of South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Unitary Authority, and that through the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) the unnecessary bill for the college to move to another county within the South West region will be met from the public purse, a potential bid for the college for up to £20 million in EU grants that will not represent value for money nor assist the region that needs to spend its scarce resources for regeneration projects wisely and cost effectively; further notes that a substantially lesser figure than £20 million would actually keep the college at its current location; and therefore calls on the SWRDA and responsible Ministers for regeneration, European funding and higher education to co-operate to prevent the potential waste of money and the negative impact the move will have on the South Devon economy.