MSPs seek inquiry into FE governance

Scotland's enterprise and lifelong learning committee wants its post-election successor to investigate governance in further education colleges.

The committee this week produced a "legacy paper" of advice for whichever MSPs take over its responsibilities after May's Scottish parliamentary elections. It warns that the rise in governance problems suggests that arrangements should be changed.

But the Association of Scottish Colleges said the Scottish Executive had already reviewed governance and accountability in the wake of reports by Audit Scotland and the parliament's audit committee. "The committee's time might therefore be better spent on other things listed in the legacy paper," a spokesperson said.

The paper also suggests an inquiry into the transition from school to work and further study. It says this falls between its remit and that of the education, culture and sport committee.

A successor committee could also look at the Scottish higher and further education funding councils. The committee says it has been difficult to scrutinise the Scottish Executive's budget proposals because there is little time between their publication and the deadline for reporting to the finance committee. But it says the funding councils are two of the five key quangos under the enterprise and lifelong learning budget.