Governors

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Corporate Governance

The Isle of Wight College of Further Education is an independent Corporation with exempt charity status formed under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The Instrument and Articles of Government set down its powers, membership, role and responsibilities. Most of the College's provision is funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA), and the Instrument and Articles are supplemented by the Skills Funding Agency's Financial Memorandum and Audit Code of Practice, as well as general law relating to employment, equality and diversity, health and safety.

Corporation is similar to a board of non-executive directors. The Isle of Wight College Corporation is made up of members from the business and local community, public sector and staff and students. The Principal is a member ex officio and the only executive member. Corporation is accountable for the use of public funds and has a duty of care for the assets of the College. Corporation is advised by a Clerk who is independent of College management and has access to independent professional advice.

Introduction from the Chair of the Corporation

Introduction from the Chair of the Corporation

The College's board of governors ("The Corporation") has legal responsibility for the College. It comprises up to 18 members, including two members of staff and two students. The Principal is the sole executive member and she is responsible for operational management of the College. The full Corporation meets monthly and further work is done via four committees.

The main tasks of the Corporation are:

  • To determine the mission for the College (its "educational character");
  • To ensure high standards are achieved in all aspects of the College's work;
  • To ensure financial solvency and to protect the College's assets (mainly property);
  • To oversee all aspects of the College's work and to act as a ‘critical friend’ to the Principal and her management team.

The past 12 months have seen a number of exceptional achievements by the College culminating in the award of the prestigious Beacon status. The next two to three years will be very challenging with the opening of a 6th form centre in Autumn 2010.

Dr Bob Smith CBE

Instrument and Articles of Government for FE Colleges

The Instrument & Articles of Government set out the regulatory framework within which a further education college or corporation operates.

In December 2007 the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills issued a revised Instrument & Articles Replacement Order 2007 with effect from 1st January 2008.

This followed consultation with the sector from 2005. The main changes remove categories of membership, revise the minimum number of student members to 2, simplify and clarify some processes relating to suspension and dismissal of staff, require corporations to publish minutes on their college website, require periodic review of the College's educational character and mission and approval of its Quality Strategy.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills [BIS] issued a Modification Order effective from 1st April 2010 to reflect changes in the Machinery of Government for Further Education, namely the demise of the LSC. The changes were technical only.

Membership

The membership of further education corporations has to fit into categories and number limits specified within the Instrument and Articles of Government.

Corporation currently has 18 members including: Principal, staff, students and general members. Corporation operates through a structure of advisory committees:

  • Audit
  • Remuneration
  • Search & Governance

In addition from time to time Corporation establishes time-defined working groups on specific strategic issues, and establishes appeals and selection panels as required. All appointments and re-appointments go through a formal skills-based Search process, are made on merit and are approved by Full Corporation.

You can access links to our:

All information about members, including access to our Register of Interests, how to communicate with them, committee terms of reference, and information about applying to join Corporation can be accessed from the Clerk to The Corporation, Brian Bowker (Tel: 01983 550591, email brianbowker@hotmail.co.uk).

Members List

Mr Roy Bromley

Chair of Search & Governance
(Managing director/Justice of the peace)

Mr Peter Conway

Lead for Health and Safety
(Retired Bank Manager)

Dr Nick England

College Governor
(Headmaster of Ryde School)

Ms Ruth Grimmer

Chair or Audit
(Assis. Dir. of Research Centre, NOC)

Ms Tina Harris

Vice Chair / Lead for Child Protection
(Associate Director, NHS)

Mr Rodney Ireland

Head of Equality & Diversity
(Former Chairman of NHS Healthcare Trust)

Mrs Debbie Lavin

Principal - Isle of Wight College

Mr Matt Jones

Student Governor

Mr John Pulsford

(Retired County Treasurer IoW Council)

Mr Paul McKillop

College Staff Representative
College tutor

Mrs Sarah Edwards

College Governor
(Company director/Chartered surveyor)

Dr Bob Smith CBE

Chair
Retired University Vice-Chancellor

Dr David Wake

College Governor
Company Chairman

Mr Bob Streets

College Governor
Chief Technical Officer (Finance) IoW Council

Mr Malcolm Alder-Smith

College Staff Representative
Customer Liaison Officer

Mrs Sheila Paul

College Governor
Chief Operating Officer - St. Marys Hospital

Ms Katie Simpson

Student Governor

 

Membership Vacancy News

New Members 09/10

Corporation is pleased to have made the following appointments at its 2009/10 meetings:

General Members

  • Sheila Paul

Staff Members

  • Malcolm Alder-Smith
  • Paul McKillop

Co-opted Committee Member

  • Sue Lucas, Audit Committee

Sadly Corporation will be saying goodbye in 2009/10 to:

  • Dr. Bob Smith, Chair of the Corporation after 10 years outstanding service.

Vacancy News

At the moment the governing body has vacancies for one external governor.

However, Search Committee is continuously reviewing membership to maintain the best balance of skills and experience and, as part of succession planning, we are always interested to hear from people who are interested in becoming a governor and think they can contribute to the work of the Board.

The position of Corporation member is voluntary and unremunerated but is a very fulfilling role in supporting training and education for the young people and local Island communities. If you are interested in finding out more about Corporation and its work please refer to the College website and our information leaflet.

To find out more please contact the Clerk , Brian Bowker, or send your CV stating why you want to join the Corporation.

Search and Governance Committee

All matters relating to the recruitment, selection, interview and recommending appointments to Corporation are delegated to Search and Governance Committee, with the exception of staff and student members who are nominated and elected, and the Principal who is appointed ex officio.

Search and Governance Committee has a separate terms of reference which are reviewed regularly and approved by the Corporation.

Search and Governance Committee will also review governor training and induction arrangements to ensure they are appropriate and effective.

In recruiting potential new members and recommending appointments to Corporation The Search and Governance Committee will have regards to :

  • The most recent determination of membership made by Corporation
  • The instrument and Articles of Government of FE Corporations and the categories of membership, number of restrictions, and eligibility
  • Nolan Committee recommendations on Standards in Public Life, including transparency and openness of the search proccess, adopted by Corporation in 1996
  • Existing and forthcoming vacancies, a skills audit of existing members, and the skills and experience required by The Corporation
  • A Role Specification and Person Specification, or similar, which set out the role and responsibilities of an FE governor and the generic skills required
  • The need for a recruitment strategy to draw on the wider business and local communities, including where appropriate local government, other educational institutions and not-for-profit organisations, to ensure that Corporation membership is responsive to to the community served by The Isle of Wight College
  • The need to have a balanced membership in terms of age, disability, ethnicity and gender, but not at the expense of the skills required by the Board. The overriding factor for Search and Governance Committee will remain the need to meet skills gaps.
  • A selection and interview process which is appropriate for the role, results in recommendations for appointment based on merit and understanding of the role, and is based on sound HR practice.
  • The need to apply the same procedures to external co-optees for committees as well as to full members.
  • The need to review the performance and contribution to Corporation of members seeking re-appointment for a second term of office.
  • Corporation's agreement to adopt the Nolan recommendation that members will usually serve a maximum of two terms of 4 years, with individual exceptions and extensions being considered on merit.
Roles and Responsibilities

Corporation's statutory roles and responsibilities are set out in the Instrument & Articles of Government. The role is similar to that of a non-executive director, working with the executive management of the College to steer the College to success.

Corporation's main duties are to determine the the mission, ethos and values of the College, monitor performance, ensure financial health and protect assets. Corporation is fully involved in determining the College's strategic direction, is committed to raising standards and providing a quality experience and environment for its learners.

Corporation has a set of Standing Orders which are the rules by which it operates. In addition there is a Code of Conduct for members, and each committee has clear terms of reference. Corporation has adopted a statement on the distinction between governance and management, has adopted the 7 Nolan Principles on Standards in Public Life.

All members are required to declare financial and other interests, which are held by the Clerk in a Register open to inspection. In addition eligibility is confirmed on appointment and annually thereafter. Members are also required to undergo CRB checks. Members are normally appointed for a term of 4 years initially, and this is renewable. Attendance is recorded and reviewed against a PI of 80%. Contribution outside formal meetings is also valued. As well as monitoring the College's performance the Corporation also undertakes an annual review of its own effectiveness and takes action to ensure continuous improvement.

Corporation meets 14 times a year: 11 formal Full Board meetings, and 3 Review/Strategy meetings. Meetings and Corporation business are scheduled to address the Corporation Business cycle.

Code of Conduct Governance and Management

Responsibilities Under The Statutory Regulations

Corporation

  • Determination of educational character and ethos
  • Articulation of vision, values and strategic direction
  • Oversight and monitoring of College activities
  • Effective and efficient use of resources
  • Safeguarding assets
  • Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure
  • Appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal, appraisal and determination of pay and conditions of Principal, senior post holders and Clerk
  • Setting framework for pay and conditions of all other staff
  • Setting framework for tuition and other fees
  • Financial probity

Principal

  • making proposals to Corporation about the educational character and mission
  • Implementing policies and decisions
  • organisation, direction and management of The College
  • Leadership of staff
  • Appointment and management of staff within the framework set by Corporation
  • Determining all College academic and other activities
  • Principal accounting officer, accountable to Corporation and ultimately parliament
Standing Orders

Standing Orders for The Isle of Wight College of Further Education Corporation and its Committees.

Please refer to Standing Orders for The Conduct of Corporation Business document.

Scope of this document

The legal framework within which the Corporation is required to operate is set out in the Instruments and Articles of Government, copies of which are provided to all Members on their appointment, and the Financial Memorandum with the Skills Funding Agency. These Standing Orders set out the Board's policy and practice on those issues which it has power to determine. Should there be any doubt in interpretation of the Standing Orders, the Instruments and Articles of Government will take precedence as the legal document. Committees

Corporation's advisory committees each have separate terms of reference relating to their remit and are reviewed regularly to ensure that they reflect current requirements and good practice.

Corporation Confidentiality

Corporation Confidentiality

Corporation is committed to openness and transparency and keeps confidential items to a minimum.

Clarification about the status of a particular paper should be sought from the Clerk.

Access

From 2008 approved minutes of Corporation and committee meetings have been published on the College website, termly in arrears.

Copies of agendas, papers and minutes are held by the Clerk. Committee papers are not generally deemed to be in the public domain.

Requests for information about Corporation and its business not available through the College's Freedom of Information officer, the College website or otherwise in the public domain should be addressed to the Clerk.

Minutes of Meetings

For details on meetings of the corporation please refer to the following Minutes

Financial Statements

Useful Links Contact Us

Information which is not readily available from the College's Freedom of Information officer or on the corporate governance web pages, and is in the public domain, can be made available for reference at the College during normal office hours. Draft minutes may be seen on application to the Clerk after the Chair has approved them unless they are deemed confidential to Corporation.

For further information about Corporation please contact Brian Bowker, Clerk to Corporation

Contact Details:

Brian Bowker
Clerk to Corporation
The Isle of Wight College
Medina Way
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TA

Tel: 01983 526631
Email: brianbowker@hotmail.co.uk

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