Governance

The college corporation is responsible for the overall functioning of Kirklees College.

The Corporation oversees the college’s strategic direction, financial performance and quality of service provided to learners and the community. The Corporation Board is made up of highly experienced individuals, who have extensive experience across industry, business, law, finance and the community, as well as students and staff.

The Corporation meets at least once each term to discuss the college’s strategy and its progress on key performance matters. The Corporation also has several governor committees which look at the college’s performance on finance and quality matters and in more detail at all key areas of the business.

Governors also play an active role in college life through support and advice, as well as attending events and promoting the good work the college does in the community.

The Corporation

The Independent Director of Governance

Clause 4(1) of Schedule 4 to the Further & Higher Education Act 1992 provides that all Further Education Corporations must provide for the appointment of a ‘Clerk’ within their governing documents. Many colleges use a different title for the person who occupies this key statutory role; at Kirklees we call it the Director of Governance.

The Director of Governance is independent from management, in order to be able to offer impartial advice to the Corporation.

The main responsibilities of the Director of Governance are:
1. To support the Corporation in meeting high standards of governance and fulfilling legal or regulatory requirements.
2. To provide guidance on legal issues relating to governance, as well as the implications of policy or regulatory developments.
3. To advise the Corporation with regard to the operation of its powers.

4. To advise the Corporation with regard to procedural matters.
5. To advise the Corporation with regard to the conduct of its business.

As an independent officer of the Corporation, the Director of Governance plays a key role in ensuring that the college’s system of checks and balances operates effectively.

The Director of Governance is appointed by and accountable to the Corporation only. There is a clear separation of functions and lines of reporting and the main responsibility for managing the Director of Governance rests with the Chair of the Corporation.

The current Director of Governance & Compliance, Carol Tague, may be contacted at ctague@kirkleescollege.ac.uk.

Governance Documents

Corporation Board and Committee Minutes

Academic Year 2022 - 2023

Academic Year 2022 - 2023

Academic Year 2021 - 2022

Academic Year 2020 - 2021

Other Documents

In 2022, an external review of governance was undertaken by consultancy firm the Governance Forum. We are pleased to share their findings, as set out in this summary report below. The review looked at the culture and quality of discussion in board meetings; the quality and focus of meeting packs; and took a general overview of board performance via discussions with current Governors.

 

Where development needs were identified, these were discussed and have informed our development plan. Across the majority of areas assessed, the Corporation showed strength and confidence. The board meeting observation demonstrated that the board is operating at a good level, while the review of meeting packs concluded that the papers presented to the board ranged from good to very good.