I THANK the BEN and particularly Ms Hughes for bringing to light the failure of the governors of Bolton College in managing the college's financial affairs (BEN May 22).

The Chairman of Governors Cllr Cliff Morris has accepted the criticisms of the FEFC report and resigned.

As any wrongdoing has been ruled out, the only conclusion is that the governors failed to handle the financial management of the college effectively.

Big business has, in the past, been critical of the management of the public institutions. Surely the present case shows that because a person can successfully run their own business those skills are not necessarily transferable to other fields.

So how are these governors recruited and by whom? What criteria is used? Could this be done on an old boy net?

But I am sure that if the criticisms made in the FEFC report had applied to a private firm those responsible would have been sacked.

So why are the governors of Bolton College given a choice of whether to resign or carry on?

One of your correspondents says that because the job is unpaid, the matter should not have been published because it might prevent further recruitment.

If a builder offered to do a roof repair free of charge but demolished my house, I would not want to repeat the experience.

It is the future of young people that is the issue. For years, they have looked to Bolton College to provide this. They are entitled to management that can ensure the financial stability of that college.

David Young

Bramhall Avenue

Bolton