COLLEGE plans in East Ren were given the council's stamp of approval last week - but only just.
Councillors voted to accept the business plan for the new educational centre and library proposed for Barrhea's Main Street - by 12 votes to eight.
The council's entire Conservative group voted to oppose the business plan, as did independent Ra
lph Robertson.
Opposition leader Jim Swift claimed the business plan "cannot predict the demand" of the college use
Giffnock councillor Gordon Wallace added: "There's a lack of research. We can't even measure if the college will be big enough for demand."
His colleague Barbara Grant added: "The first thing to do in starting up a business is market research. Who would use the college in East Renfrewshire? That question hasn't been asked in the business plan."
But despite their reservations the administration voted to accept the business plan giving the green-light to phase one of the college proposal.
Alan Lafferty, education convener said: "The way out of the recession is to give further education. But at this stage we're only voting in principle. You can still be for the college and harbour doubts, but voting against it is voting against education in East Renfrewshire."
Barrhead councillor Betty Cunningham added: "We deserve this, we're not second class citizens.
"We are a community and we will welcome others in East Ren to the college."
ends
