MOST of those who took part in a consultation on a planned college merger support the proposals.

A month-long public consultation was held on the proposed merger between South Cheshire College and West Cheshire College into a new FE college for Cheshire set to be named The Cheshire College.

A second consultation is to take place in relation to Mid Cheshire College and Warrington Collegiate.

The consultation involving the South and West Cheshire colleges attracted 26 responses from individuals and organisations, and the majority were in favour of the proposal.

Christine Russell and Dame Pat Bacon, chairmen respectively of the Corporations of West Cheshire and South Cheshire colleges, said: “The feedback were received has reaffirmed our ambition to complete Phase One of the merger in readiness for February 1, 2017.

“We have listened to all the comments, which will feed into our ongoing detailed planning. We recognise this is a starting point, not an end.

“We have much work to do to ensure the merger is implemented successfully for the benefit of our students, employers, the community and our staff, but believe this exciting new partnership is the best way to achieve our goals.”

They said the aim of the new college would be to build on the key strengths of each college, and create a financially robust college which would be more efficient and effective, and maximise the benefits for learners and make best use of public funding.

Cheshire East Council said: “We believe the creation of The Cheshire College is in the best interests of residents, businesses and the wider community.”

Vauxhall Motors said: “The proposal is supported and necessary to ensure future support for Vauxhall, who works in partnership in a very positive way.”

The University of Chester said: “The university warmly welcomes this imaginative proposal.”

Of those who took part in the section about the name of the proposed new college the majority were in favour of naming it The Cheshire College.

Those who took part in the consultation included business groups, other colleges and universities, employers, local authorities, MPs, staff, students and a trade union.