A CASH-strapped college which faced debts of nearly £2 million last year has advertised three six-figure salary positions.

City College Brighton and Hove in Pelham Street, Brighton, is looking to employ a chief executive officer, chief operating officer and a headteacher at the cost of £350,000 a year in wages plus benefits.

At the height of its problems, suppliers were not paid on time, dozens of jobs were axed and courses were scrapped.

But interim headteacher Monica Box justified the wages and said: “Salaries in all these posts are in line with the most recent Association of Colleges (AoC) benchmarks for Further Education sector salaries.

“The absolute imperative for the Board of Governors is that City College’s financial recovery is robust and fast-paced so recruiting outstanding senior post holders is a key aspect of this.

“The new posts are positioned in such a way as to prepare the college for the future.”

She added: “These new posts are integral to ensuring that the College returns to strong financial health.”

The new CEO will take home £150,000-a-year while the two other positions will be paid £100,000 each.

Interest has already been shown in the posts and interviews are currently being organised.

Ms Box said: “Interviews are in the process of being scheduled to include students, staff and wider partners. It is vital that the right appointments are made.

“These new posts are critical for securing the long-term future of the college.”

Alex Knutsen, UNISON branch secretary, questioned the logic of appointing highly-paid executives given its financial situation.

He said: “I can understand why they want to bring in a headteacher, but I’m not sure about the other two when there doesn’t seem to be an overall plan to balance the books.

“We have asked for a meeting with the board, but the silence is deafening.”

Background

PLANS for £1.5 million worth of staff cuts at City College were first revealed by The Argus in April 2014.

Union bosses said staff had been left in the dark over the state of finances and days later bosses admitted they were struggling to pay suppliers. It soon became clear nearly 50 full-time posts would be axed as part of a major restructure.

By February this year students were left in limbo because the college could not afford to pay examination boards.

That month, headteacher Lynn Thackway resigned and education trouble- shooter Monica Box was appointed as interim.