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Universities (Cumbria)

The Petition of residents of Cumbria and others, Declares that the proposed closure of the University of Cumbria’s Ambleside Campus to undergraduate students in 2012 would be a huge blow to the town of Ambleside and would remove opportunities from future generations of students. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills to place pressure on the University of Cumbria to ensure the viability of Ambleside Campus for all students and to scrap the plans for its closure to undergraduate students. 18 May 2009 : Column 19P And the Petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Tim Farron , Official Report, 10 November 2008; Vol. 482, c. 609.] [P000283] Observations from the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills: I understand the concerns that have been raised about the University of Cumbria’s plans for its Ambleside site. I do not believe that this is a matter in which Government should seek to intervene. Universities are autonomous bodies. It is right that they should be free to manage their estates to support the mission and 18 May 2009 : Column 20P economic needs of their institution. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is aware of the University’s plans for its estate. I welcome the commitment of the university to work with local partners as it develops its plans. I note that it has no plans to cut its provision overall, and that it will relocate all the courses it currently runs at Ambleside to other sites. I also note that the university proposes to use the Ambleside campus for the benefit of its postgraduate students, who are an important part of the university’s life. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is aware of the university’s plans for its estate.