We are mystified by the goings-on between the Learning and Skills Council and Abingdon and Witney College over its Witney campus.

In common with many of its peers, the college was progressing its £30m redevelopment under the impression that the money was forthcoming. Like many others, it was staggered to learn that the funding had been pulled.

The chief executive of the LSC Mark Haysom resigned this week saying he recognised there had been failures in the way the LSC managed its capital programme. We are none the wiser as to what those failings were.

It is an extraordinary time for this to happen. Public investment, particulary in training, should be a priority.

West Oxfordshire District Council has proposed a way out of this difficulty, effectively redirecting some of its investments into the college rebuilding plan.

We hope the LSC will look on this as a creative way of ensuring the college gets its redevelopment project back on the road.