TOWN hall chiefs have been reassured over the future of adult education once Bolton’s funding comes under the control of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Bolton Council currently receives £2.3m directly from the adult education budget (AEB) from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) each year, with Bolton College delivering the service since 2002.

However, from the beginning of the 2019/20 financial year, the money will come via GMCA.

The plans were largely welcomed by cabinet members and senior opposition councillors.

However, Tory leader David Greenhalgh raised concerns Bolton could potentially lose out in future, should GMCA decide to focus funds elsewhere.

But chief executive Tony Oakman said: “Any decision would have to come back and be discussed by the ten leaders. It’s one of those things. Could it possibly happen? Never say never, but not without the agreement of this authority and this chamber.”