Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015 Explanatory Notes

Section 38– Duty to withdraw approval

111.This section requires HEFCW to withdraw their approval of a fee and access plan by giving notice to a governing body of an institution if they are satisfied that an institution has ceased to:

  • be an institution in Wales (see section 57(3) for the definition of institutions in Wales);

  • provide higher education; or

  • be a charity.

112.The Welsh Ministers may by regulations under subsection (2) make provision about what matters HEFCW must take into account in determining whether they are required to withdraw approval. Those regulations might, for example, require HEFCW to take account of decisions made by the Charity Commission relating to the charitable status of an institution if they believe that an institution has lost its charitable status.

113.The procedural requirements in sections 41 to 44 (warning and review procedures) do not apply to this section. However regulations made under subsection (3) may provide for the procedure that HEFCW must follow. That includes amending, applying or modifying the requirements in sections 41 to 44 for the purposes of this section. That could, for instance, require HEFCW to give a warning notice to the governing body of an institution and to take account of representations made by the governing body before they decide whether they are required to withdraw an institution’s fee and access plan.

Back to top