BISHOP Auckland College has today announced it is entering a consultation period with staff following cuts to its funding levels totalling £2.9m.

Staff and union representatives were informed at meetings today that the college is forced to restructure following the reduction in its funding for the 2011/2012 academic year.

"The college will conduct a 90-day consultation during which time it will work with employees and the unions to do its utmost to minimise the impact of the cuts," a spokesman said. "All available options are being considered including some staff working fewer hours, enhanced voluntary redundancy and redeployment opportunities.

"It is anticipated that this will reduce the approximately 95 full-time equivalent posts currently identified as being at risk."

The college has contacted its students today to reassure them that the announcement will not impact on their studies.

"Any changes to the structure of the college, including staffing levels, will also not affect students planning to study at Bishop Auckland College in the 2011-12 academic year," the spokesman said.

Anne Isherwood, Bishop Auckland College principal, said: “The funding climate for all public services is bleak at the moment and we are not immune to the cuts that are happening across the country.

“We are faced with losing a sizeable proportion of our annual budget and we have looked long and hard at how to reduce our spending commitments.

"Reducing our staffing levels is a last resort, but regrettably it is one which we cannot avoid. We must now work with employees and the unions to keep the impact on jobs to a minimum."

Full story in tomorrow's The Northern Echo