THERE were questions fired amid passionate debate held as more than 100 people attended a public meeting organised by a community group calling for The Hill College to be kept for education.

Bryn y Cwm Community Forum is calling for the campus, which was closed in August, to be used for learning.

The group held a meeting in June following the announcement of the closure. Last Thursday night more than 100 people crowded the meeting at Mulberry House to receive the Forum's report on their action resulting from the meeting held in June. The four resolutions passed at the June meeting were to reject Coleg Gwent's proposal to close the College, to request Coleg Gwent to agree to an extension of the consultation period, to invite the College management to work with the community to explore way in which the college can be saved and to lobby the Welsh Assembly Government to review the funding of Coleg Gwent.

At the meeting on Thursday they were informed that Coleg Gwent would not delay the closure of The Hill and had refused to extend the consultation period or consult with the community. The college had also refused to allow the Forum to present the community's case direct to the Members of the Coleg Gwent Corporation.

Following presentations to the meeting from David Haswell, who asked further questions to Principal and chief executive of Coleg Gwent Howard Burton, John Grant and Dr Olinga Ta'eed, Mr Burton was asked to reply. He offered to respond to the questions if they were sent to him in writing. It was agreed that an independent working group, that will be entirely separate from the Bryn y Cwm Community Forum, was formed in order to facilitate reopening The Hill as an educational and community facility for the local area and beyond.

During the meeting Mr Haswell said that the consultation was "inadequate." He said, "There have been no answers. Is there a public sector conscience? There's a moral imperative to listen to the community. There's a reluctance to compromise."

Dr Olinga Ta'eed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Mulberry House said a judicial review would be the "worst scenario" for the community.

"No one will want it then because of the covenant for educational purposes. I think there's a danger if everyone doesn't come together and work together to make this win, win." His presentation was followed by shouts of "excellent" from members of the public and a rapturous applause.

Mr Burton told the meeting, "I maintain that Coleg Gwent and the Governors do know exactly what's going on , we have set to explain and engage. I do not accept that Coleg Gwent is solely in the business of asset stripping we are in the business of providing education to 34,000 people in Gwent. Coleg Gwent does understand its responsibility to the community."

Chair of the Forum Alan Michie explained that, as the Forum's role was only an instrument for community opinions and conduit for communications and consultation, it had now fulfilled its remit and therefore would not proceed further because the college had not engaged in any meaningful discussions. It was agreed that the options and opportunities that were presented to the meeting had potential and should be progressed.

Another option was given to the Forum by development officer for Land for People, a not for profit company helping communities, Jonathon Brown.

After the meeting Mr Burton told The Chronicle, "We are at an early stage of our disposal strategy but we will be working with the planning authorities to prepare accurate information including a realistic valuation and the development options for any potential buyer of The Hill. I have committed to keep all interested parties informed and would like to stress that the College is seeking to get the best price so that 100 percent of the proceeds can be re-invested in facilities that will benefit our learners in Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Newport, and Blaenau Gwent."

The first meeting of the new action group will be held at 6.30pm on Friday, November 20 at Mulberry House. The meeting will be open to anybody who wishes to support the group.