Colleges Tripartite Alignment Group minutes: September 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Gavin Donoghue (Chair), Colleges Scotland

•  Andy Witty, Colleges Scotland

• Angela Cox (Ayrshire College), Colleges Scotland 

• Alan Williamson (Edinburgh College), Colleges Scotland 

• Pete Smith (Borders College), Colleges Scotland 

• Jim Metcalfe (Fife College), Colleges Scotland 

• Sara Grainger, Scottish Government

• Fraser Syme (Secretariat), Scottish Government

• Claire Jamieson, Scottish Government 

• Debbie Browett, Scottish Government 

• Tiff Ritchie, Scottish Funding Council

• Richard Maconachie, Scottish Funding Council

• Lynn Raeside, Scottish Funding Council

• Helen Cross, Scottish Funding Council

• Rebecca Slater, Student Awards Agency Scotland 

• Alan Scott, Student Awards Agency Scotland

Items and actions

Note of last meeting

Attendees confirmed they are content with the note of the last meeting so it can be published.  

 

Student Mental Health Action Plan

SG provided an update to the Group covering the formation and progress of the Mental Health Delivery Group which is embedding relationships with key stakeholders such as COSLA and NHS Scotland; Think Positive’s engagement with all colleges and universities; the ongoing exploration of other platforms colleges may be able to utilise (such as My World of Work and Getting it Right for Everyone); and the role community planning partnerships may have for colleges.
There was discussion around the funding of counsellors and the impact on colleges and students of the one-off transition fund provided to colleges by SG; and the need for scenario planning for the impact of students accessing mental health support outside of colleges once this funding has ended. 
Colleges raised the benefit of SG using its convening power to hold a Spotlight event between the sector and NHS, to ensure clear pathways for clinical services.

 

Actions

•    SG to share the note of the Mental Health Delivery Group meeting on 8 October with this Group, and consider any measurable deliverables from the wider Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy that could be applicable to colleges.
•    SG to consider running a Spotlight event involving the NHS and the college sector.

 

Budget / Spending Review

SG updated the Group on the sequencing of meetings between officials, Ministers and stakeholders ahead of the budget; and on the internal governance process for in-year spend that is ongoing in relation to support staff. 
CS advised they have discussed various budget scenarios with the Minister (flat cash being considered a worst case scenario) and they plan to publish these scenarios the week commencing 6 October. 

 

CDEL/RDEL / NI updates

SFC provided an update on their work with SG colleagues on CDEL/RDEL and there was agreement on the potential consequences for colleges if this issue is not resolved; the impact this uncertainty is having on colleges’ ability to present their accounts; and the requirement to find a solution to this annual issue.
SFC advised that the real time data indicates colleges did not receive 60% of the eNIC increase, and the next steps in relation to Employer National Insurance Contributions will be determined by SG finance colleagues. 

 

Action

SG to invite Finance directorate colleagues to the next Group meeting.

 

College Transformation Framework (CTF) / approach to 26/27 allocations 

SFC provided an update on CTF and the challenges relating to launching it quickly for AY 2025-26; noting that there are two pilot colleges currently which will provide helpful case studies; and the importance of considering the optimum timeline for AY 2026-27 to allow colleges to plan accordingly while delivering a robust process. 
SFC advised they are planning to have earlier conversations with the sector regarding AY 2026-27 allocations in order to give colleges certainty on funding; and that by making the process as straightforward and transparent as possible, this will assist with the fundamental review of the funding model.
There was agreement that SFC would engage with the group set up by CS consisting of principals and technical leads.

 

Action

SFC to bring CTF case studies to the next Group meeting.

 

Flexibilities within regulatory environment paper

CS presented a paper noting the differences in flexibilities available to colleges in other parts of the UK despite having the same ONS classification as colleges in Scotland.
There was discussion about the need to look at the issue of ONS classification afresh and the granular detail needed to be able to adopt a creative approach; and the upper limits requiring Ministerial approval which is linked to the SPFM.There was agreement that any potential flexibilities that don’t require legislative changes should be explored; that previous work done by Scottish Futures Trust, for example, may be helpful here; and that pace is required given the sector’s need for flexibilities in the system in relation to sustainability and competitiveness.

 

Action

SG, SFC and CS reps to meet and agree how best to take forward as part of wider workstreams.

 

Vision for the college sector

There was discussion around the Group collectively agreeing a vision for the sector, and the associated parameters for a sustainable sector in 2031. 
There was agreement that the focus of the sector had been on the recommendations of the Withers Review, with its recommendations largely accepted by SG, and that clarity was required from SG on the parameters that a vision needs to sit within. 

 

Action

CS to engage with the sector, SG and SFC and draft a vision for the sector and bring it back to the Group.

 

‘Hearts and minds’ paper/comms plan – next steps 

There was agreement that the paper has been finalised, and that in order to promote the work of the Group, it would be helpful if the paper was added to the Group’s SG webpage, followed by a comms planning discussion.

 

Actions

•    SG to upload paper within Terms of Reference section of the Group’s webpage
•    SG, SFC, and CS to discuss comms plan.

 

AOB 

It was requested that national bargaining and future workforce are added to the  agenda for the next meeting of the Group.