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| College's senior heads suspended | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Three senior officials at a college in Flintshire have been suspended after a report by an independent auditor. | |
| Inquiries are taking place into the running of the Welsh College of Horticulture in Northop. | |
| College governor Colin Bithell said: "As a result of a report from the independent auditor, it is obvious there is a case to answer and further inquiries have got to be made." | College governor Colin Bithell said: "As a result of a report from the independent auditor, it is obvious there is a case to answer and further inquiries have got to be made." |
| A spokesperson said the action would cause "no disruption" to the college. | |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said it was aware of the situation. | The Welsh Assembly Government said it was aware of the situation. |
| The three senior officials are believed to be principal Dr Mark Simkin, vice-principal Vivienne Martin and head of horticulture Nicolette Evans, though the college has refused to confirm their identities. | The three senior officials are believed to be principal Dr Mark Simkin, vice-principal Vivienne Martin and head of horticulture Nicolette Evans, though the college has refused to confirm their identities. |
| Mr Bithell, a governor who chairs the college's audit committee, commented: "I can confirm that three senior officials have been suspended while inquiries take place. No accusations have been made." | Mr Bithell, a governor who chairs the college's audit committee, commented: "I can confirm that three senior officials have been suspended while inquiries take place. No accusations have been made." |
| He also said the suspensions were on full pay, and described them as a 'neutral act'. | He also said the suspensions were on full pay, and described them as a 'neutral act'. |
| A college spokesperson commented: "We are able to confirm that three members of staff have been suspended while further inquiries are taking place. | A college spokesperson commented: "We are able to confirm that three members of staff have been suspended while further inquiries are taking place. |
| "These actions will cause no disruption to the education of, and services provided to current and future Welsh College of Horticulture students. | "These actions will cause no disruption to the education of, and services provided to current and future Welsh College of Horticulture students. |
| "The college has no further comment to make at this stage." | "The college has no further comment to make at this stage." |
| An assembly government spokesperson said: "We are aware of the action of the board of governors, however, it would be inappropriate to comment while the college's internal procedures are being followed." | An assembly government spokesperson said: "We are aware of the action of the board of governors, however, it would be inappropriate to comment while the college's internal procedures are being followed." |
| In April 2008, BBC Wales's Dragon's Eye programme reported that the assembly government had accused the college's governors of a failure to safeguard the college's solvency. | In April 2008, BBC Wales's Dragon's Eye programme reported that the assembly government had accused the college's governors of a failure to safeguard the college's solvency. |
| They were also accused of failing to provide reliable and consistent financial information to the assembly government, weaknesses in governance and management, and financial problems dating back to 2000. | They were also accused of failing to provide reliable and consistent financial information to the assembly government, weaknesses in governance and management, and financial problems dating back to 2000. |
| The college currently has 246 full time and 4,100 part time students. | The college currently has 246 full time and 4,100 part time students. |