Adult education supporters were outraged last night when Labour councillors on the council's scrutiny committee decided not to scrutinise proposals to cut funding for the service.

The decision came despite one of the men in charge of the proposals admitting the five options for the future of Merton Adult Education (MAE) in Whatley Avenue had not been financially analysed.

Hundreds of people packed into the council chamber to hear the scrutiny panel dismiss concerns the centre in Raynes Park could be sold, closed or farmed out to a third party to run as part of a £32m budget ‘review.’

The special meeting of the scrutiny panel was organised because Merton Conservatives questioned a decision by the Labour-run Cabinet to consult on options for the future of adult education in the borough.

Wimbledon Times:

Merton Adult Education in Whatley Avenue

The five options now being considered are to continue as is but with some budget cuts, share 'federation' with South Thames College or Sutton College of Learning Adults, or the council becomes a ‘commissioner of adult education services,’ or the council ceases being the provider and becomes the commissioner, and partners with Wandsworth to deliver the commissioning service.

Scrapping the whole service, which was the sixth option, was ruled out.

When speaking about the options for the site which is next door to Joseph Hood Primary School, Simon Williams, director of community and housing, said: "If you are asking is there a detailed financial appraisal for each option - no there isn’t."

This was met with jeers and applause by passionate members of the public who called out "finally." Mr Williams was not the only official to be jeered.

Cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton was regularly interrupted by hecklers as he attempted to explain the council was under severe pressure from central government budget cuts.

Coun Whelton said: "This is an extremely difficult time and challenging decision.

"I believe adult education has a valuable role to play.

"This consultation has been wide and extensive."

Hecklers called out: "no it hasn’t" and others jeered before being asked to settle down by committee chair Councillor Russell Makin.

Security was on hand to calm people down and one man was escorted out as part of the parks and waste discussion, which was held on the same night.

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond spoke at the meeting. He said: "One thing that is missing is honesty and transparency about whether the council have an agenda for Whatley Avenue.

"There are some real practical and legal concerns if the consultation has not been properly carried out."

Gay Bennett-Powell spoke on behalf of Save MAE, a student-led group set up in the wake of the council decision to review the service.

Ms Bennett-Powell raised concerns about the online survey, including questioning its relevance to elderly residents and saying it was biased in the way it was written and presented.

Some councillors called for more information to be provided to the committee going forward.

The scrutiny committee could have insisted that the cabinet’s decision to discuss options for the service be referred back to it for further consideration.

But four Labour councillors on the scrutiny panel, Councillors Abigail Jones, Imran Uddin, Tobin Byers, who is also a Joseph Hood Primary School governor, and Stan Anderson, voted against doing this.

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