Motion no: 6
The Governing Body of a further education college is responsible for securing the efficient, effective management of the college, determining its strategic direction, appointing senior staff and ensuring that the college acts as a responsible employer.
UCU are concerned by the quality of governance in FE colleges in the Region.
The Governing Body is the employer yet, as evidenced by a recent tribunal decision, they failed to act as a reasonable employer. College Governors fail to challenge the executive of
the college and appear to simply rubberstamp decisions brought before them by the senior management team.
UCU believe that real power is held by the Director or Chief Executive and Governors do not fully understand their scrutiny role and serve solely in a capacity to legitimise whatever decisions emanate from senior management.
The current composition of college Governing Bodies does not reflect the communities which the colleges serve. Instead they are populated by accountants and people in the business community. There should be an appropriate balance of skills, experience, and knowledge to enable the Governing Body to discharge its duties effectively.
The staff representatives on the Governing Body are excluded from key committees and are the only Governors who are not paid for attendance at meetings.
UCU believe college governance arrangements would benefit significantly by the Department of the Economy in:
Providing mandatory training to current and new Governing Body members so they properly understand what is involved in upholding the Nolan Principles for conduct in public life. This training should also include employment relations and how
to scrutinise evidence in key areas such as discipline, grievance, redundancy and dismissal.
Changing the system used to appoint Governors to ensure a wide range of life
experiences and work backgrounds are represented so that new Governing Bodies reflect the diversity of the community and student body.
• Improving Governing Body accountability.
