People are being encouraged to help shape the future of informal adult education in the county as Wiltshire Council embarks on a wide ranging consultation.

The unitary authority describes informal adult education as courses which are offered as leisure activities and not those which are focussed on developing basic skills or qualifications relating to employment.

An online questionnaire is now available for comments and there will be area board presentations to discuss the various options for supporting the courses as the county reviews its provision in line with government changes.

The questionnaire is available online at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/adulteducationconsultation.htm, paper copies can be obtained from all public libraries in the county and by telephoning the council on 0300 456 0100.

The questionnaire invites feedback on how people would like adult education courses to be delivered and what kind of duration and type of course they prefer.

The presentation to area boards will consider options for future provision ranging from the council organising courses to co-ordinating a number of different providers and promoting courses online.

The closing date for postal questionnaires is June 19 and for online questionnaires is June 27.

The proposed changes come as the government’s Department for Business, Industry and Skills, which provides financial support for informal adult education, conducts its own review of provision.

Council leader Jane Scott said: "Understanding what people want from our informal adult education courses and an idea of how they are perceived, is key to our decision making on how they are delivered in the future.

"There are a number of options and we hope people will join us in ensuring Wiltshire has the right mix of community learning.

"This consultation will help inform cabinet on the role which the council will take to support opportunities for informal adult learning in Wiltshire."