NEARLY 1,500 people have had their say on plans for a new sixthform college in Rutland.
Consultation finished on Monday for Rutland County Council's proposals to create Rutland County College, which would replace The Rutland College at its Oakham site.
It would be administered by Casterton Business and Enterprise College and would e
ventually be moved to a new building in Oakham.
Over a six-week consultation period, which included three public meetings and an online survey, parents, residents and pupils were invited to have their say on the plans.
Rutland County Council received 1,446 responses to the consultation and more than 800 were from pupils.
Coun Heather Wells (Con), who is responsible for education, said: "We are now starting the huge task of going through the comments received individually to pick up any points raised and to include the views in a summarised form.
"This is clearly an issue that is important to many people in Rutland. I would like to thank everybody for taking the time to put forward their opinions."
The county council said any alternative proposals which were submitted through the consultation process would be considered.
New College Stamford prinicpal Miles Dibsdall has put forward a proposal for a new college, which would be sponsored by New College Stamford, and have the three schools in Rutland working in partnership.
Meanwhile, a group of parents have formed the Rutland Education Campaign and submitted proposals for a stand-alone college.
Tresham College, which runs The Rutland College, is pulling out of the county in 2011. As part of a deal it has struck with the county council, Tresham College is giving half the land it owns in Oakham and £1m towards the new college.
Both Uppingham Community College and Catmose College in Oakham were involved in talks last year but withdrew after the plans were changed without notice during the summer holidays.
Meanwhile, Coun Wells says she was involved in crucial meetings about the plans. At a public consultation meeting in Casterton, she had said she was working with children in Africa when the council decided to change the plans.
This week, Coun Wells said: "I would like to make it clear that, as portfolio holder for children's services, I have attended every council meeting that has taken place regarding post-16 consultation and have been fully involved at all stages - all cabinet both formal and informal and meetings of full council."
The council is compiling a report summarising all the responses, which will be made public. The plans will be discussed at a full council meeting, open to the public, on Monday, March 8.
