A NEW East Lancashire ‘super college’ could be created by next August after a formal proposal to merge two educational establishments was officially published.

The leaders of Accrington and Rossendale College and Burnley College said their planned union was the most effective way of ensuring the stability of each organisation.

But a former lecturer at both institutions fears it could lead to academic departments being combined on single sites within five years and students having to travel further for certain courses.

Council leaders however have been told the move should not affect college subjects but lead to a combined senior management structure and back-office functions such as human resources, payroll and marketing.

No indication has been given over how many positions would be affected if the newly-constituted organisation, with a turnover of £36million, is given the go-ahead by the Department of Education.

A prospectus issued by Brian Stephenson, chairman of Accrington and Rossendale College, and David Meakin, his counterpart at Burnley College, said: “The proposed merger offers the best opportunity for a truly sustainable efficient and effective model for the two colleges, aligning provision and focus and providing joint financial stability in a changing sector.”

The document also stated: “Our intention is to merge Accrington and Rossendale College and Burnley College, however, the existing main campuses will remain the same and retain their existing names and local identities.”

College bosses have cited funding changes in recent years as one of the primary reasons behind their approach.

The consultation on the proposed merger will run until January 12, with the outcome published in February. If recommended, a decision by both college governing bodies would be issued in April.

The new single college would then come into existence on May 1, and take in the first students under that guise in August.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, who has been briefed on the changes, said students would not be expected to travel between Accrington and Burnley, or vice versa for courses.

He said: “What they are looking at is the merger of back-office functions and what efficiencies they can make, while still delivering the same variety of courses from the same current sites.

“Each would have separate courses but they would share departments like human resources and communications and have a single payroll, which will allow them to make savings.

“It has been shown before that students will not travel that distance for courses.”

A north-west spokesman for the University College Union (UCU) said: “UCU would not want to see any narrowing of the curriculum or job losses as a result of the proposed merger.

“Significant Government funding cuts have led to instability and the proposed new college should offer greater stability, grow the curriculum and offer better choices for students to enable it to meet the educational needs of the local economy.”

County Cllr Marcus Johnstone, who represents Padiham and Burnley West, has worked at both Accrington and Rossendale and Burnley colleges previously.

He said: “I would have concerns about the academic side because in these situations organisations alway say that they will retain their separate identities. But will that be the same in five years time.

“Experience tells us, and not just in further education, that these things might set out with the best of intentions but that’s not how they end up.

“If I was a college lecturer I would want some cast iron guarantees for the future. The temptation to make savings to make savings by merging academic departments will be immense.”

The government-led Lancashire-wide review of further education colleges, which also encompasses Blackburn College and Nelson and Colne College, is due to continue until February before a final report is compiled. Ministers want to make colleges more ‘productive’ and ‘efficient’.

Cllr Mark Townsend, leader of Burnley Council, said: “It is all about trying to cut some of the back-office work to improve efficiency.

“I am really pleased that the governing bodies have faced up to the challenge of securing the long-term stability of both colleges.”

A Blackburn College spokesman, said: “The college supports the decision to merge as they must believe it is the best option for their communities.”