Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
made in this context. This would have
included the potential for a strong
partnership with Durham University,
its theology faculty and St John’s
College. The loss of this contribution
is another consequence of the
Committee’s recommendation which
must be acknowledged. However,
the Committee was content that
the contribution which will be made
by centres at Cliff College and the
Queen’s Foundation will be able to
meet the Network’s needs in this
context. The proposed development
of an ecumenical Higher Education
partnership is a critical factor here
(again, see paragraphs 148-156
above), in that it has the possibility to
enable the Network, and the Queen’s
Foundation in particular, to work in
close and efficient partnership with
a Higher Education partner of the
highest quality within the stable
and mutually-beneficial environment
established by the involvement of
the Church of England, its theological
colleges and the Methodist Church.
The Committee also welcomed the
possibility that, though the Church
may regrettably have to move to end
its activities at the Wesley Study
Centre, it may be possible to retain
a partnership with the University of
Durham.
240.6 The Committee was confident that
centres at Cliff College and the
Queen’s Foundation would be able
to offer realistic accessibility from
across the Connexion. In terms of
their particular contribution to the
Network, the Committee highlights
the following: (a) Whereas there
can be no doubt that Cliff College’s
rural location poses accessibility
issues, its location is geographically
central and it is an hour’s travelling
distance from Manchester and East
Midlands airports; (b) Cliff College’s
existing activities demonstrate that
its location is not a disadvantage
for a number of learners and friends
who are prepared to travel to the
College for high quality experiences.
This includes over 280 students
who currently travel to Cliff College
from across the United Kingdom
and Ireland, as well as from Europe
and further afield, as well as 2,000
people who regularly attend the Cliff
College Festival; (c) the Queen’s
Foundation’s urban location in the
Midlands is served by strong road,
rail and air transport links.
240.7 The Committee was also confident
that centres at Cliff College and the
Queen’s Foundation, as premises and
assets as well as communities of
faith, demonstrate good stewardship
of the Methodist people’s past
and continuing investment of
resources. In terms of their particular
contribution to the Network, the
Committee highlights the following:
(a) Cliff College’s financially sound
current operational model; (b) an
appropriate identification of the
authority of the Methodist Council
and the Conference within Cliff
College’s trusts; (c) the Queen’s
Foundation’s readiness to explore
revised governance and ownership
arrangements (see paragraph 254
Conference Agenda 2012 745