Dunstable College

Dunstable College

Role description of a Corporation Member

Purpose of role

The Corporation, led by the Chair, is there to provide checks and balances on the operational executive team led by the Principal and Chief Executive, who is also a Corporation member.

Corporation is accountable for its stewardship of public funds to deliver a quality service, and for the performance of legal and statutory duties.

Specific responsibilities are set out in the Further Education Act 1992, the Learning & Skills Act, the Instrument and Articles, the Funding Council's Financial Memorandum and Audit Code of Practice

The role of a Corporation member is voluntary and unpaid, although external training and related travel will be paid for.

The initial appointment is up to fours 4 years with the opportunity to seek re-apopintment for further four-year terms; once appointed Corporation members must not represent a nominating body or other's mandate and must act in the best interests of the Corporation and abide by the majority decision.

Responsible for

Determination of educational character and ethos
Articulation of vision, values and strategic direction
The College Mission
Oversight and monitoring of college activities
Effective and efficient use of resources
Financial probity
Safeguarding assets
Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure and 3-year financial plan
Approving 3-year strategic plan and annual updates
Appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal, appraisal and determination of pay and conditions of Senior Postholders
Setting framework for pay and conditions of service of all other staff
Agreeing retention and achievement targets, monitoring academic achievement and raising standards

Key Accountabilities

To its learners and other customers for quality of experience and outcome
To the government, Funding Council and public for the use of public funds
To the local community for a local resource
To college staff as their legal employer Principal Relationships
Chair of Governors
Other governors
Relevant Corporation Committees
Principal
Clerk to the Governors
Executive Team
Link college area – if appointed to such
Partnership between Governance and Management
Policy, oversight, financial probity and monitoring are the business of the governing body.
Management and administration is the business of the Principal and the management team.
The Corporation and the Principal are a team and need to support each other and work closely together. A good working relationship between the Corporation and the Principal is essential to achieve corporate goals.
Eligibility

Eligibility will be subject to the Instrument and Articles of Government.

Person specification for a Corporation Member

Experience
While each member should bring skills and experience relevant to the work of Corporation for fulfilling corporate statutory responsibilities and engaging in committee work, the role of Corporation is strategic and enabling, and members should not be regarded as professional advisers to the College.
Corporation has seven committees: Academic Board, Audit, Estates, Finance & Resources, Governors' Standards, Remuneration and Nomination. In addition a Special Committee and appeals and selection panels and time-defined working groups are convened as required.
Generic Skills and Abilities
An interest in, and commitment to, education and training, teaching and learning
Strategic awareness
Sharing best practice
Vision and commitment
Sharing and working to common values
Ability to listen positively and appraise critically
Ability to ask probing questions
Analytical and problem solving abilities
Integrity and ability to act without self interest
Collective decision-making in the best interests of Corporation
Standards in Public Life, public accountability
Good communications skills
Time Commitment
Attendance target is 70% for both Corporation and committee meetings. Individual members are expected to be able to:

attend all Corporation meetings and committees on which they serve

to sit on at least one committee, most of which meet at least once per term

to read papers before meetings and maintain sector awareness

to ask questions, challenge assumptions and add value as part of a robust debate

to work in a supportive relationship between Corporation and management

to show an interest in the college by attending college events, particularly those which celebrate student achievement or have student participation

to link with a college area to learn more about how the college works

to make an annual declaration of eligibility and of interests to be held by the Clerk in a Register of Interests which is made available to members of the public.