Governors Home
The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 requires that there should be a governing body for any college in the further education (FE) sector.
The governing body of a Further Education (FE) institution is there to represent the interests of the local community in particular and public interest in general. It is there to oversee the way the institution is run and to make sure it delivers what its community needs, in a way that reflects the highest professional and ethical standards, and makes effective use of the resources it has available. It is accountable for the financial solvency of the institution, its sound management and the quality of the service it provides. It is also accountable for the proper use of the public funds entrusted to it.
The governing body is there to:
- ensure the institution thrives as an organisation while maintaining prudent control of its funds and assets;
- make a significant contribution to what the institution does to ensure the success of its students;
- help the institution maintain a long-term focus while working on its shorter-term goals and plans;
- help the institution respond to local requirements within the context of regional and national needs;
- and ensure that the business aspects of an institution's operation prosper.
The governing body is responsible for determining the future strategy of the college and for the overall conduct and oversight of the college's business.
This involves the governing body in approving certain policies and in routinely monitoring the effectiveness of the college's key operational policies. The clerk has a key role to play in ensuring that this is done.
Examples of significant documents include financial regulations, human resources, health and safety, equality of opportunity.