SOMERSET Skills and Learning has said it is hopeful it could get some of its lost funding back after a crucial meeting at the end of the month.
The organisation, which had its education funding slashed last year, leading to the closure of its centre in Minehead and other locations around the county, said it was meeting the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) on January 30.
Somerset was the only county in England not to receive a major grant last year – and it thinks this may have been due to an administrative error.
In the meantime, the organisation has been doing all it can to keep classes going in alternative venues, while the building it used in Minehead is now up for sale.
Susie Simon-Norris, chief executive officer of Somerset Skills and Learning, told the Free Press this week there was a hopeful start to the new year.
“We’re not sure why the SFA made those cuts,” she said.
“We think there may have been an error in terms of the criteria they used, because we are the only county where community learning is with a community interest company.
“Somerset Skills and Learning provided opportunities for over 10,000 people in Somerset and the SFA do appreciate this.
“Somerset is the only county in England not to get a major grant but we think there is the will there – it’s just finding a way of getting the funding back.”
Ms Simon-Norris said Somerset County Council had been “incredibly” supportive and was working with them to try to get the message across to the SFA and get the funding back.