A COLLEGE group which is closing one of its county campuses next year has hit back at criticism from a Worcestershire MP.

WCG, which announced it is closing down Malvern Hills College in 2021, responded after its decision was criticised by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who said the college had not adequately consulted over the closure.

However, WCG chief executive Angela Joyce said she met with Mrs Baldwin and “clarified” several of her criticisms. A WCG spokesman said: “The key misunderstanding related to the supposition that Malvern Hills College had a significant number of government-funded young people studying there.

“In fact, in 2020 only 10 young students who live in Malvern were enrolled on beauty and barbering courses and, in fact, they were transferred to Evesham College back in September – with transport provided by WCG – and continue with their studies. An additional seven adult Malvern residents also transferred with the Access to Higher Education Art and Design course.”

READ MORE: Malvern hits out at decision to close Malvern Hills College

Mrs Baldwin said last week she was “shocked” at the decision to close the college, accusing WCG of not communicating with her about the decision beforehand.

Despite this, the college spokesman said they had faced financial pressures from both Covid and government under-funding, saying they had received no communication from Mrs Baldwin’s office.

They added: “It was clearly disappointing to be accused of not communicating with Harriett in the run-up to our announcement about Malvern Hills College.

“WCG has a very positive relationship with MPs right across our area of operation and we engaged with them all in a number of communications over the lockdown period, highlighting financial pressures caused by both Covid and government under-funding, and the potential implications for further education colleges.

“Support for our situation was given by a number of our MPs, so it was a pity that throughout all this period of communication we had no feedback from Harriett’s office.”

The spokesman went on to say the college is primarily an “adult leisure learning environment” and that it would be “ideal” if a similar provision could be carried on in the town.

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They said: “WCG agrees that it would be ideal if this provision could continue in some form and the heritage of the Malvern School of Art can live on.

“Since the announcement last Friday, Angela has spoken with a number of councillors and has a meeting with the task force this coming week to offer our support towards ensuring the provision can be retained in Malvern.

“Finally, the comment that WCG is an ‘out of town college group’ lacks credibility as WCG has operated within Worcestershire since 2007.

“In addition to Malvern Hills the group runs colleges in Evesham and Pershore as well as operating the Link Nurseries community facility in Powick.

“We continue to actively develop provision at both Pershore and Evesham colleges to strengthen and grow their curriculum over the coming years.”

Since the decision, a group of councillors and local figures have joined forces to try and keep the college running.

READ MORE: Group set up to try and save Malvern Hills College

Despite this, Mrs Baldwin maintained her criticism was valid, calling the closure an "asset-stripping" exercise.

In a statement, she said: "It is clear from my chat with the current management, that the site has been left to wither, without any of the promised investment or support to grow teaching on the site.

“I expressed my concern about the impact on local post-16 education and from the large amount of people contacting me about this issue, I am confident that the community wants to find a swift resolution to preserve teaching – especially arts courses for adult students - at the Malvern site.

“I’ve held talks with a range of stakeholders over the weekend and I am exploring all options as we look to identify a solution.

“The lack of ambition displayed by Warwickshire College Group is troubling and I have shared my concerns with the Further Education Commissioner.

“From their perch in Warwickshire, the group clearly sees the Malvern college site as a high-value commercial asset rather than a valued centre of learning for local people and I’ll be expecting the Commissioner to take a very close look at the provision of vocational educational opportunity in the West of Worcestershire.

“First and foremost, I’m reaching out to all groups to try and find a solution which sees this historic Malvern asset protected.”