Adult Learning Course Fees Increase

Overview

Southwark Council offers lots of good quality courses for people to study for enjoyment or to learn English and maths. These courses help people get ready for work or to get a better job.

Why your views matter

We want you to tell us what you think about the new fees we are suggesting. More fees will help us to keep courses running.

We need to increase the fees because the money we get from the government has gone down in the last three years.

No increase was made to course fees in 2015/16.

We believe:

• More money coming through fees will help keep the courses running
• More money will help us build a nicer centre for you to come to classes
• More money will help us keep our specialist facilities such as the woodwork workshops and the ceramics studio going

People on low income will still be able to join Basic Skills and Family Learning courses which will stay free for eligible people. The government pays for most of the cost of Southwark courses. The course fees make up the rest of the cost.

Proposal for Southwark’s fees and charges

We want to make sure that Southwark people will still be able to enjoy the adult learning courses.

The suggested increase of course fees and the introduction of a new fees band are as follows:

1-Increase the current standard fees from £4.00 to £5.00 per hour

2-Increase the current concessionary fees from £2.00 to £2.50 per hour

3-Start a fees band for studio or workshop pay as you go sessions, in the interest-based areas such as pottery or woodwork, at £6.00 per hour

It is important that you have your say so that together we can shape the future of Southwark courses.

What happens next

The responses to this survey will be used to inform the Equalities Impact Assessment. The EIA will be used for the Fees and Charges recommendations report that will go to Cabinet in early 2018. The final decision about the proposal rests with the council’s Cabinet.

Should you require any further information regarding this consultation please contact:

Kathryn.Gurnerchapman@southwark.gov.uk