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Spokesperson: G.Barnsby 141 Henwood Rd. Wolverhampton WV6 8PJ: 01902 751888

Report of a meeting of the FRIENDS 6 Sep 2001.

This was the first meeting held since the allegations of fraud against the College had been declared groundless by the Head of the West Midlands Police Fraud Squad.

1. The first decision was that an Independent Public Enquiry be held on the closure of Bilston Community College and that the person or persons who requested that the Fraud Squad investigate the College be named.

2. That those falsely accused of fraud will seek independent legal advice with regard to compensation as well as expecting that the Learning and Skills Council who have taken over responsibility for the now defunct Further Education Funding Council to assist them in regard to compensation.

3. That other institutions to which the Friends will refer the closure of Bilston Community College, namely the Department for Education, the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee should also assist in this matter of compensation.

The meeting agreed that a more open organisation of the FRIENDS was now possible. It re-elected George Barnsby as Spokesperson, thanked him for his work in co-ordinating the FRIENDS and elected him to the additional post of DIARIST it being agreed that future public statements and events be publicised through a Diary which will be available on the FRIENDS web-site.

Those present at the above meeting were: KEITH WYMER (Principal BCC 1984-1999), JOHN KYTE (founding chair of governors BCC), ALAN MILLINGTON (last chair of governors BCC), PAUL GODDARD-PATEL (ex- finance director BCC), DAVID ANDERSON ( Finance manager Core Companies BCC), GARY SKERRETT (proprietor of Valley Film whose equipment was confiscated and his livelihood destroyed by the false accusations against BCC), Rev. CHARLES PRICE (governor Wolverhampton College), KAMALJIT RANA (Indian Workers Association), GAINSHAM SAINI, GEORGE BARNSBY (Spokesperson).

Apologies from LIZ MILLMAN (victimised Basic Skills Worker), SIM WIGNALL (Clerk to BCC Corporation), DENNIS TURNER (MP for SE Wolverhampton)

G.Barnsby 17 Sep 01