Row as Glyndŵr University funds new ventures while sacking staff

According to local reports, the university has put forward a business plan to fund the takeover of a community centre that was shut in April as part of Wrexham Council's efforts to save £45m.

Unions representing staff at the university have been in negotiations since the start of the year to try and save 60 jobs, of which at least 25 are academics. Members of UCU backed a motion of no confidence in vice-chancellor Professor Michael Scott on 17 February and blamed him for the institution's current financial difficulties.

The union said it welcomed efforts to keep the community centre open, but questioned how the university's plans squared with proposed job losses and demanded answers from Professor Scott.

Kate Wagner, UCU branch secretary at Glyndŵr University, said: 'This latest move reinforces our concerns about the ability of the vice-chancellor and board of governors to make strategic decisions in the interests of our university.

'Professor Scott needs to sit down with us and explain the rationale for such large expenditure at a time when he is proposing to sack significant numbers of staff.'