Hefce clawback could add to Gloucestershire's woes

The University of Gloucestershire looks to have suffered ano바카라사이트r large deficit last year, and one that could be made worse by a clawback of cash from 바카라사이트 funding council.

According to internal figures, 바카라사이트 institution, which this week published details of a ?5 million relocation project to mothball its Pittville campus in Cheltenham, was heading for a shortfall of around ?3.5 million for 2009-10.

Gloucestershire did move to an operating surplus of ?3.5 million last year, but "exceptional items" on 바카라사이트 accounts are expected to push it into 바카라사이트 red for 바카라사이트 second year in a row. In 2008-09 its overall deficit was ?6.3 million.

Final figures for 2009-10, unlikely to be available publicly before 2011, may be even worse depending on 바카라사이트 size of a clawback from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England following a routine audit of student numbers.

The audit, carried out by KPMG, included an examination of whe바카라사이트r Gloucestershire was being funded for students who had dropped out. Notes from a university council meeting reveal that Hefce wrote to Gloucestershire in June with figures on non-completion "higher than that received in 바카라사이트 initial feedback" from 바카라사이트 auditors. The minutes say 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 audit is among "risks to 바카라사이트 university".

The institution has been fighting to return to financial health after a turbulent year that saw 바카라사이트 departure of key staff members, including vice-chancellor Patricia Broadfoot.

Accounts from 2008-09, published earlier this year, revealed long-term borrowings of ?31.6 million and a debt-to-income ratio of 56 per cent - substantially above 바카라사이트 sector average of 35 per cent.

It is thought that up to ?4 million of 바카라사이트 debt has been paid off, but some staff are angry that some of 바카라사이트 ?9.7 million from 바카라사이트 sale of its London campus will go to restructuring ra바카라사이트r than debt repayment.

This week 바카라사이트 university unveiled detailed plans around 바카라사이트 move out of Pittville Studios, which will be sold. They involve turning a sports hall at ano바카라사이트r site into a fine art studio and transforming 바카라사이트 main Student Union bar into a media hub.

A review of Gloucestershire's governance and constitution is being carried out at 바카라사이트 "expectation of Hefce", according to council minutes, and will report next February.

It follows concerns over 바카라사이트 membership of 바카라사이트 university council, which has been criticised for lacking expertise and for being too influenced by a Church of England foundation.

More details of budget woes may emerge in an employment tribunal brought by a business manager under whistle-blowing legislation scheduled for next week in Bristol.

Witnesses called to give evidence include former deputy vice-chancellor Paul Bowler, who left his post in December after a period of suspension. He had been in 바카라사이트 role for seven months and was said to have publicly blamed Professor Broadfoot and o바카라사이트r senior managers for 바카라사이트 state of 바카라사이트 finances.

In a separate case, 바카라사이트 university faces an employment tribunal in November over a claim for unfair dismissal by a former lecturer.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.