Bedford College’s Governing Body is known as
the Corporation. It is an exempt charity, formed by the Further and
Higher Education Act 1992. The Corporation (sometimes called the
Board) is responsible for setting the College’s strategic direction
and ensuring that the College delivers excellent outcomes to
students and the local community.
The powers and responsibilities of College
Corporations are set out in the Instrument
and Articles of Government, the Corporation also has to comply
with the Financial Memorandum, Audit Code of Practice, Charities
Act 2006 as well as general laws relating for example, to equality,
health and safety, freedom of information and employment. The
Corporation is made up of 19 members; the Principal (who is a
member ex-officio), two elected staff members, two elected student
members and fourteen external members who are appointed from the
local and business community and who bring a wide range of skills
and experience to the Corporation. External members are initially
appointed to the Corporation for a period of four years and can ask
the Corporation to consider re-appointing them at the end of this
period.
The Corporation is advised by the Clerk who is
independent of college management and has access to independent
professional advice.
Roles & Responsibilities
As outlined previously, the Corporation’s statutory roles and
responsibilities are mainly set out in the Instrument &
Articles of Government. The Corporation is responsible for:
- Determining the educational character and mission of the
College and overseeing its activities.
- Approving the quality strategy of the institution.
- The effective management of resources to ensure the solvency of
the College and the safeguarding of its assets.
- Approving annual estimates of income and expenditure.
- Employing senior post-holders, including their appointment,
determination of pay and conditions, etc.
- Setting a framework for the pay and conditions of service of
all other staff.
The Corporation has a set of Standing Orders which
are the rules by which it operates. These include the College's
policy on public access
to Corporation meetings and the rules of the Search
Committee, which advises on appointments to the Board. In
addition there is a Code of Conduct for members, each committee has
clear terms of reference and there is a College Code of Ethics.
All members are required to declare financial and other
interests, which are held by the Clerk in a Register open to
inspection. In addition eligibility is confirmed on appointment and
annually thereafter.
The Corporation meets at least once every term. To ensure that
the Corporation can look at issues in detail it has established a
number of advisory committee’s each of which has a specific role
and focus. All information about Board members, operational and
procedural matters relating to the Corporation and the conduct of
its business, and issues of governance practice can be accessed
from the Clerk.
Ellen Heaney
Clerk to the Corporation
Bedford College
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AH
Tel: 01234 291003
Email: eheaney@bedford.ac.uk
Agendas and minutes
The Corporation operates through a structure
of advisory committees. Click the headings for committee meeting
agendas and minutes: