UP to 70 members of staff at Gloucestershire College, which includes the Royal Forest of Dean College campuses at Five Acres and Mitcheldean, are facing redundancy.

Gloucestershire College, which merged with the Dean further education campuses earlier this year, says it officially began a consultation process on redundancies this week (Wednesday April 6).

The Review understands a large proportion of redundancies (around 40) are likely to be among staff in the college's 'Do IT' drop in training centres in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury which are planned to close.

In a statement the college says: "Due to unprecedented cuts to further education funding across the country up to 70 members of staff at Gloucester College could face redundancy."

It continued: "The college, which employs around 1,350 staff, is now at the point where job losses can no longer be avoided following a period of sustained budget reductions and projected cuts next year of £1.3m which will rise to £4m by 2014."

Other areas of the college will also be affected. Falling student numbers mean there will be a reduction of approximately 20 teaching posts as well as seven non-teaching posts in support services.

College Principal, Greg Smith, said: "It is with regret that we are making this announcement. Every effort has been made to avoid compulsory redundancies. Over the past 18 months we have worked to mitigate the effect of redundancies, freezing vacant posts, continuously reviewing our procurement policies and making significant non-pay savings as well as developing other income streams. However the magnitude of the cuts facing the further education sector are such that further measures are needed."

•Whether the financial cutbacks will have any impact on the proposed spend of around £500,000 on maintenance at the Forest college, or on its proposed move to a purpose built campus in Mitcheldean, remains to be seen.