In a letter to the Education Minister, Jane Hutt AM, representatives of the Presbyterian Church of Wales have expressed support for the recommendations made in Professor Robin Williams' report on establishing a Welsh Coleg Ffederal (Federal College).

"We as a church have consistently pressed for a Coleg Ffederal for five years, and we're very heartened to read the Planning Board response," said Revd Glyn Tudwal Jones, Clerk of the Church and Society Department. "We fully agree with the Board's recommendation that a Federal College be set up in September 2010, and that it be fully operational by 2011."

The Presbyterian Church of Wales submitted written comments to the Board as well as sending a representative to the public meeting held at towards the end of the Board's term.

"Although we are very aware of the current financial constraints in Higher Education, we agree that the gradual injection of funding over the next decade that the Board calls for is necessary and reasonable," added Revd Jones. "The economic, cultural and social advantages would be significant. We welcome the suggestion that students be encouraged to follow their courses through from school to university through the medium of Welsh."

The letter encourages the Minister to accept the Board's recommendations and to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government earmarks the necessary funding so that the model outlined in the report can be put into practice.

To read the Board's report on the Coleg Federal, click here.