You may wish to view the pen pictures of the present members of our Governing Body. Board members are also requested to serve on at least one Committee of the Governing Body, five of which have been established.

Two committees are mandatory:

• The Audit Committee; and
• The Search Committee

and three have been set up by the Governing Body to assist in its work:

• The Quality and Standards Committee
• The Resources Committee; and the
• Remuneration Committee.

Board and Committee meetings are normally held in the late afternoon (traditionally these have been held on Tuesdays, commencing at 1600hrs up until approximately 1800hrs, dependent upon the number of agenda items). An annual calendar of meetings is published each year before the start of the college year, which starts on 1 August.

THE GOVERNING BODY’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Governing Body (‘the Board’) of Swindon College operates within the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (as amended by subsequent primary legislation) and under the Instrument and Articles of Government as issued by the Secretary of State of the day.

The Board is responsible for:

• the determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the college and for the oversight of its activities;
• approving the quality strategy of the college;
• the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the college and the Corporation and for safeguarding their assets;
• approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;
• the appointment, grading, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of Senior Post Holders and the Clerk to the Corporation; and
• setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of all other staff.

Put more simply, the Governing Body is responsible for the overall functioning of the College. It is responsible for the quality of the service to its students and their welfare, for the financial health of the college, for the proper use of public funds and for ensuring effective management.

It also has responsibility for setting and monitoring targets for the retention and achievement of students – ensuring that students continue their studies and achieve their learning goals.

Governors are also responsible for monitoring their collective and individual performance to ensure that they operate to a high standard. A good Governing Body will carry out a regular review of all aspects of its work and operation. It has important legal responsibilities set out in the instruments and articles of government.

Other responsibilities are agreed with the Skills Funding Agency as a condition of receiving public funds. A successful college is one which provides an effective educational service and which is financially secure.

In England, Boards of Further Education Colleges have the power to appoint and re-appoint new Board Members. There are exceptional circumstances where the Secretary of State and the Skills Funding Agency may appoint Board Members, but the vast majority of appointments are made by Boards themselves.