The Corporation was established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and operates under the Instrument and Articles of Government issued by the Secretary of State.

The Responsibilities of the Corporation outlined in the Articles are:

1. determination and periodic review of the educational character and mission of the institution and oversight of its activities.
2. approving the quality strategy of the institution.
3. the effective and efficient use of resources, solvency of the institution and safeguarding the assets.
4. approving annual estimates of income and expenditure.
5. the appointment, staffing functions including dismissal, and pay etc for the Principal (and any other senior postholders) and the Clerk to the Corporation.
6. setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service for all other staff.

If you would like any further information about the Corporation, please contact Clark Perkins, Clerk to the Corporation.

Membership

As at 1st August 2012, the Corporation consists of 19 members. This figure is broken down as:

• 14 Business / External Members
• 1 Principal
• 2 Staff Representatives (1 teaching and 1 support)
• 2 Student Representatives

There is currently 1 vacancy for a Parent Governor.

Further details on the current members, including committees served, are available online.

Minutes of Meetings

Once approved, minutes of all Corporation and Committee meetings are published online. 

Committees

In order to fulfil its responsibilities, the Corporation has established a number of Committees:

Audit Committee (a statutory committee)

The Audit Committee operates within the Audit Code of Practice issued to all Colleges. The Committee receive regular reports from the Internal and External Auditors as well as from the College Risk Management Group. Members of the Audit Committee cannot also be Members of the Finance and Resources Committee and vice versa.

Its main functions are to advise the Corporation on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal control and arrangements for risk management, control and governance processes, and securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Curriculum and Student

This Committee is mainly responsible for the Quality and Standards matters of the College and monitoring the College’s performance in relation to the delivery of the curriculum and the achievement of students.

As part of this process, the Committee receive reports including data on student retention, achievement and success rates, and where necessary action plans, including targets, to address areas of concern. 

The Committee also consider College Policies on student related matters and make recommendations to the Corporation as necessary. 

Employment Policy

This Committee advises the Corporation on all matters connected with the staffing of the College, including recruitment, procedural matters and pay awards. 

It also reviews College Policies and Procedures in respect of Staffing matters, and ensures that they meet the agreed standard form and layout.

Finance and Resources

This Committee considers and proposes Annual Budgets of revenue income and expenditure to the Corporation, as well as capital expenditure and associated funding. It receives regular reports to enable it to monitor the budget, recommend remedial action when necessary, and report major variations.

The Committee propose Tuition and other fees to the Corporation, determine the College’s investment and borrowing programmes, and review the Financial Regulations on a regular basis. It considers and recommends the Audited Annual Financial Statements (the Annual Accounts) to the Corporation for approval at the Autumn meeting, following the year end audit.

Search (a statutory committee)

The Committee's main functions are to advise the Corporation on the appointment of Business / External members, identify nominations in respect of vacancies, and consider the composition and balance of the Corporation and its committees. It monitors Members attendance at Corporation and Committee meetings and undertakes periodical skills audits to balance the range of skills and experience on the Corporation.

It also deals with the process for Governors' self-assessment and reviews Governor’s training needs.

Finally, it has a role to deal with any matters not covered by any other Committee which are referred to it.

Remuneration

This Committee comprises the Chair of the Corporation, the Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Chair of the Employment Policy Committee. It normally meets annually to review and recommend to the Corporation, the pay and terms and conditions of service of the designated senior postholder staff.