Governance

Governance Core Facts

Introduction

The aim of this page is to explain City of Bath College’s approach to college governance and to describe the work of the Governing Body.

The Governing Body (known formally as the Corporation) of City of Bath College is composed of 19 Members with a broad range of skills and experience, advised by an independent Clerk.

The Governing Body meets regularly (generally six meetings for each College year) to consider the strategic direction of the College, to undertake systematic monitoring of College and management performance, and to receive and act on compliance reports

Meetings of the Governing Body are planned and well-attended by enthusiactic and committed Governors.

Members have informal contact with College life through visits to curriculum areas, attendance at prize giving and awards events, exhibitions and shows.

Governing Body Members have a strong commitment to continuous improvement in their own work as governors and conduct a self-evaluation of their performance.

What Does the Corporation Do?

Under the Articles of Government which govern its operation and functions, the Governing Body ie. the Corporation, is responsible for:

• the determination and review of the educational character and mission of the institution and for the oversight of its activities;
• the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets;
• approving the annual estimates of income and expenditure;
• approving the Improvement Strategy;
• the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of senior postholders and the Clerk to the Corporation;
• setting the framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff;

 

The Second Report of the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life recommends that college governing body act within seven principles of public life:

• Selflessness - taking decisions solely in terms of the public interest
• Integrity - acting without obligation or influence to outside individuals or organisations
• Objectivity - taking decisions on merit
• Accountability - being accountable for decisions and subsequent public scrutiny
• Openness - being as open as possible and giving reasons for decisions
• Honesty - declaring private interests and avoiding conflicts of interest
• Leadership - promoting and supporting principles by leadership and example

The Governing Body has incorporated these principles in its Members’ Code of Conduct.

All Members are required to complete a Register of Interests. This Register may be referred to by arrangement with the Clerk to the Corporation.

Core Purpose of the Corporation

The Governing Body is there to:

• Ensure the college thrives as an organisation while maintaining prudent control of its funds and assets
• Make a significant contribution to what the college does to ensure the success of its students
• Help the college maintain a long-term focus while working on its shorter-term goals and plans
• Help the college respond to local requirements within the context of regional and national needs
• Ensure that the business aspects of a college operation prosper

Membership Framework

The overall membership of the Governing Body is 19.

Membership is composed as follows:
External Governors x 14
Staff Members x 2
Student Members x 2
Chief Executive x 1

Membership is voluntary and unpaid.

The term of office of a student member is one year, whilst for other governors it is 4 years.

Meetings

The minutes of meetings of the Governing Body (other than items designated as ‘confidential’ – which are kept to a minimum) are available, when approved, from the Clerk to the Corporation, and will shortly be available on the college website.

Attendance by Members at meetings is recorded and monitored.

An annual schedule of all Governing Body and committee meetings is produced.

Committees

The Governing Body has the following committee structure:

• Search and Governance Committee
• Audit Committee
• Senior Staff Employment Committee
• Finance and Resources Committee
• Quality Standards Committee

New Members of the Governing Body

The Search and Governance Committee of the Governing Body is tasked with the identification and recommendation of new Members of the Governing Body.The selection of new Members by the Search and Governance Committee is undertaken under a policy of seeking to match the Governing Body’s needs (in terms of skills, expertise, community knowledge, personal skills) with expressed individual interest or nomination (where this is provided for in the Instrument of Government).

Anyone wishing to be considered to be a new Member of the Governing Body should contact the Clerk to the Corporation in the first instance.

New Members of the Governing Body participate in a formal induction programme and are issued with a College Induction Pack.

The Chair/Vice Chair of the Governing Body

The position of Chair and Vice Chair of the Governing Body is determined at the last meeting of the Governing Body in the preceding College year.The current Chair of the Corporation is Nicole O’Flaherty (appointed January 2008) and the Vice Chair of the Corporation is Jacqui Buffton.

Correspondence for the Chair and Vice Chair should be sent to the Clerk to the Corporation.

The Clerk to the Corporation

The Clerk to the Corporation is Gillian Steels

Gillian can be contacted at: City of Bath College on 01225 328 734 or steelsg@citybathcoll.ac.uk

 

News and events

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Former City of Bath College student Peter France, the Chief Executive of Bath-based Rotork Plc, is to receive a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Gold Award at the House of Commons.

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City of Bath College has teamed up with leading Bath homelessness charity Julian House to launch a new cycle maintenance course.

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