POOLE and Bournemouth are merging their adult learning services in a move expected to save them around £350,000.

Courses will continue to be provided in both towns and residents can enrol with the new Skills & Learning Bournemouth and Poole service from July 8.

Merging the services is designed to protect and improve them, making it possible to run a broader range of minority interest courses when recruiting from a larger area.

The councils say fewer courses will be cancelled as a result of the new service as they will now be running one joint programme.

“In this challenging financial climate, it is vital we maximise the potential of our services while saving money and we are delighted to be combining the expertise of the two adult learning services to offer an exciting range of personal and professional development opportunities to residents,” said Cllr Judy Butt, cabinet portfolio holder for public engagement and participation, Borough of Poole.

The two main learning centres will remain at Oakdale and Ensbury Park and the administration for the new service will be at Oakdale. Bournemouth Learning Centre at Ensbury Park will be open for enrolments on a limited basis through July, August and September.

“Local residents will have noticed that our adult learning service is changing already with the introduction of a joint brochure last year,” said Cllr Nicola Greene, cabinet member for education and children’s services, Bournemouth Borough Council.

“This will be a beneficial move for both Bournemouth and Poole Council in order to continue to provide good quality and a wide range of adult learning opportunities for our residents while making savings that we must achieve because of reduced funding.”

Details of the courses are available in a brochure being distributed to households across Bournemouth and Poole.

Copies are available from libraries and the two main learning centres.