Croydon Council is to outsource its adult education services ahead of funding cuts from the Government.

The authority is set to lose £600,00 of Skills Funding Agency money, which pays for community learning and adult education services (CALAT), from 2018.

A report to council’s cabinet on Monday said further reductions in funding “may result in a budget gap” and that an external provider would create “stronger continuity and progression in learning pathways”.

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, said: “The reason we are taking the action now rather than waiting for the outcome of strategic area reviews of further education and the adult community learning which are currently taking place is to allow us to continue to influence the shape of adult learning in the borough.

“The difficulties that we have faced already this year is that we never know on a year by year basis in terms funding so this allows us to stay ahead of the curve and ensure the future provision of the service.”

Conservative Councillor Maria Gatland agreed outsourcing might be needed to protect the service.

She said: “Over the years there have been some pretty hefty cuts to the funding and I think this might possibly be the only way to protect this service.”

The council will begin procurement in the autumn and hopes to have signed a contract with an external provider by September 2017.

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