Mission Statement |
Governor Job description |
Policy for the Distribution of Agendas and Minutes |
Governors' Attendance Policy |
Governors' Expenses Policy
The College's Corporation, unlike the governing body of a state school has ultimate responsibility for the College and complies with the Articles and Instruments of Governance laid down in the Higher and Further Education Act of 1992. It is the Governors' responsibility to ensure that the College adopts appropriate strategies to achieve its mission as a sixth form college.
The Governing Body comprises of up to 20 Governors, including 1 parent governor, community governors, 2 student governors and 2 staff governors. Many of the non-parent governors have, in fact, had experience of being a parent of a student studying at the College.
Governors are all volunteers and are not paid for their duties and meet at least four times a year as a whole group. A good deal of their work is delegated to a series of five committees. These Committees meet according to need and this varies with the committee in question between two and four times a year. Governors visit the College on regular occasions, attending events and activities, visiting departments and cross-College areas.
Mission Statement
The College’s prime aim is the provision, in a supportive environment, of high-quality, full-time academic and general education courses to meet the needs of young people between the ages of 16 and 19 who live in the Colchester area and at the same time to equip them with the qualifications, skills and personal attributes required to move successfully and happily into higher and further education, employment and future life.
Obtaining the Views of Staff and Students
Arrangements for Obtaining the Views of Staff and Students on the Educational Character and Mission Statement of the College.
The Governing Body obtains the views of staff and students on the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission statement of the College and the oversight of its activities via:
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Teaching and Support Staff Governors |
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Student Governors (who are also the Chair and Vice-Chair of the College Council) |
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Staff Surveys |
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Student Surveys |
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An annual meeting of Union Representatives with members of the Personnel Committee |
The College Mission Statement and College Strategic Priorities are reviewed annually by the full Governing Body at its July meeting. Any member of staff or College student wishing to comment may do so by either contacting the relevant Staff Governor (and in the case of staff, Union Representative) or Student Governor.
Anyone else wishing to comment should contact either: the Clerk or Chair of the Governing Body.
The College Mission Statement - see above.
Governor Job Description
Introduction
The powers of the board of governors are specified in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, Section 18 and 19 and more recently defined in the Modified Instruments and Articles.
In summary the Corporation is responsible:
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a) |
for the determination of the educational character and mission of the institution and for oversight of its activities; |
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b) |
for the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets; |
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c) |
for approving annual estimates of income and expenditure; |
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d) |
for the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the holders of senior posts and the Clerk to the Corporation; |
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e) |
for setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff. |
Duties of a Governor
Collectively and individually governors contribute their professional and general management skills to the Corporation (through the main Governing Body and committees) in a non executive role to:
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2.1 |
determine the educational character and mission of the College to meet the needs of its catchment area; |
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2.2 |
oversee its activities; |
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2.3 |
make effective and efficient use of the resources, the solvency of the College and the Corporation and safeguarding their assets; |
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2.4 |
include the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of pay and conditions of service of senior postholders; |
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2.5 |
agree the framework set for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff; |
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2.6 |
comply with the College’s Code of Conduct which meets the Nolan Committee’s principles of public life; Govjobdes/01.10.99
Govjobdes/01.10.99 |
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serve on appropriate Corporation committees as required and established by the Corporation; |
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assist in the formulation and monitoring of the College’s strategic 3 to 5 year plan which will provide the essential framework for the internal management of the College; |
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2.9 |
set measurable annual targets to support the College’s business plan and budget; |
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2.10 |
attend appropriate governor induction and training days as required. |
General
The governor is required to be as flexible as possible in conducting the responsibilities and duties of the role, thereby ensuring that the “oversight” of the College business is seen as a positive contribution that does not interfere with the day to day operation and management of the College.
Policy for the Distribution of Agendas and Minutes
The Governing Body has determined that the agendas and minutes of its meetings and those of its committees should be distributed as follows:
Agendas:
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1. |
Governing Body Agendas shall be sent to all members of the Governing Body, together with any person designated an observer, or any other person who has been invited to attend a particular meeting, at least seven calendar days before the meeting. |
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Governing Body Committees’ Agendas shall be sent to all members of the respective committee, together with any other person designated an observer on that committee, or who has been invited to attend a particular meeting, at least seven calendar days before the meeting. |
Agendas shall be available for inspection as soon as the Governors have received them, and before the meeting.
Minutes:
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Copies of the minutes of a Governing body and its Committee meetings shall be despatched to all members of the Governing Body, respective Committee Members and its designated observers with those papers circulated prior to the next meeting. |
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A copy of the ‘draft unconfirmed’ minutes of each Governing Body and its Committee meetings, having been agreed by the Chair of Governors or where applicable the respective Committee Chair or Vice-Chair, will be placed on the College public website for a minimum period of 12 months. |
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Copies of the agenda, minutes and papers of each meeting of the Governing Body and its Committees are available in the office of the Clerk and can be accessed by prior appointment during the normal teaching day. |
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Non-confidential papers considered at a meeting shall be available after that meeting on application to the Clerk. |
Governors' Attendance Policy
This section outlines the policy relating to Governor attendance at meeetings of the Corporation
Introduction
In order that the Corporation has an effective Governing Body and does not encounters problems of quoracy at meetings when decisions have to be taken it is College policy to monitor and report annually to the Corporation on attendance at meetings of the College’s Governing Body.
Policy
Should a governor fail to attend three successive meetings of the full board of the Corporation without valid reason, he/she will be asked to resign from the Corporation. If there are exceptional circumstances that have prevented attendance this will be taken into consideration before such a decision is confirmed.
Guidelines
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A record of governor attendance is incorporated in all Committee and Full Governing Body minutes. |
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The attendance of the full Governing Body is monitored and figures reported annually to the Corporation at the Autumn meeting. |
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The attendance at Committee meetings is monitored and will be made available to Committee Chairpersons should they so wish. |
Supporting Documents
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1. |
Instrument of Government for Sixth Form Colleges. |
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2. |
Minutes of the full Governing Body of the Corporation. |
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Minutes of Committee meetings of the Corporation. |
Governors' Expenses Policy
This section outlines the policy and procedure regarding Governors' expenses
Introduction
Governors give their time voluntarily to support the College by attending meeting of both the full Governing Body and committee meeting. In addition they also support various College functions, undertake internal and external training and, where appropriate, also attend meetings external to the College.
Policy
Governors’ can claim reasonable expenses incurred in respect of governors’ attendance at meetings and training sessions (either at the College or externally). Other reasonable expenses will be considered.
The rates given below have been set for College staff and are subject to review from time to time. Governors have agreed that rates for reimbursement for members of the Corporation should be in line with the criteria set for College staff.
Guidelines
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The College will reimburse the cost of public transport or, if travelling by car, mileage at a pre-determined rate. The College can also supply a rail warrant if it is requested in advance. |
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Hire of a car is not normal practice but may be possible in exceptional circumstances providing that prior authorisation is obtained from the College. |
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Payment will be made for out of pocket expenses in line with rates determined for College staff. |
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Where an overnight stay is required, reasonable claims will be reimbursed taking into consideration the area where the accommodation is booked. |
Procedures
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When expenditure is incurred by a Governor on College business the following
procedure should be adopted. |
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A yellow claim form should be obtained from the Clerk of the Corporation. |
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The completed claim form and all relevant receipts should then be returned to the
College via the Clerk. |
Rates of Reimbursement
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Hotel |
As stated above reasonable claims for accommodation and subsistence will be reimbursed taking into consideration the area in which the hotel is situated. Normally an average cost according to area/season is regarded as reasonable. The College would only normally pay up to a maximum amount of £15 per night when a receipt is not provided. |
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Fares |
Second class return travelling expenses will be allowed and where public transport is not available at the destination cost of the hire of a taxi will be reimbursed. |
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Mileage |
Mileage will be paid at the standard College rate (normally the Inland Revenue rate). Where the mileage claim exceeds the public transport cost for the same journey only public transport costs will normally be paid. Exceptions may be made where the venue is not easily accessible by public transport or it would considerably increase the journey time. In such instances a mileage claim would then be paid. An additional 2p per mile will be paid when a colleague travels to the same venue in the car. |
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Subsistence |
This will be paid at the standard college rate for breakfast, lunch, tea and evening meals.
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