What do Governors do?
The Corporation must be properly constituted and each Member of the Corporation owes a fiduciary duty to the College. This means that all Members must show the highest loyalty to the College and act in good faith in its interests. Effectively each Member must try to act honestly, diligently and independently whilst, at the same time, paying due attention to the requirement to take collective responsibility as part of a corporate body. The Corporation's function is to decide on strategic policy and the overall direction of the College, as well as monitoring the performance of the most senior managers in the College. Collectively, the Members of the Corporation must ensure that they operate within the legal framework which has been established for the College and must observe the duties which have been set out for them within these documents. The Corporation regularly reviews and updates all of the corporate governance documentation which provides the framework for its operations, to ensure that it is up-to-date and complies with best practice in the sector and particularly the seven key principles for public office, namely:
- Accountability
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Leadership
- Objectivity
- Openness
- Selflessness
These values are encompassed in a Code of Conduct outlining the standards set by the Corporation for Governorship and detailed Standing Orders for the operation of the Corporation and the way in which it conducts its business. These include process for appointment of Governors and an open Register of Members' Interests which is available for public scrutiny and is held by the Clerk to the Governors.