Information on the Board of Management

How was the Board established?

The Board of Management of Ayrshire College (the “Board”) was established under the terms of the Statutory Provisions contained within:

Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 (Schedule 2)
The Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 (Schedule 2B)
The Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act 2013 (Schedule 2)

What does the Board do?

Ayrshire College is led by the Board who provide strategic leadership, direction, support and guidance. The Principal and Executive Team (who undertake the management functions) report directly to the Board.

The Board:

ensures the College provides the best possible education and learning environment for its students.
promotes further and higher education in Ayrshire to contribute to sustainable economic growth and to meet the needs of the learners and the employers of the region.
approves the mission and strategic vision of the College, including institutional and longer-term learning and teaching plans, the Outcome Framework and Assurance model with the Quality Assurance Agency, business plans, annual budgeting and annual accounts, key performance indicators.
ensures that the College meets the interests of all stakeholders, including students, staff, employers, Community Planning Partners, other key stakeholders, local communities and funding bodies.
is the financial and business authority of the College.
ensures statutory responsibilities are adhered to, including maintenance of proper financial statements and approval of annual budgets and financial statements.
sas overall responsibility for decisions in relation to assets, property and estate of the College and how they are used.
ensures, in consultation with the Students’ Association, that arrangements are in place to ensure the proper management of the health, safety, wellbeing and security of students, including meeting all statutory requirements.

How does the Board operate?

The Board:

consists of a maximum of 20 members, including 12 Non-Executive members bringing experience in industrial, commercial, professional or employment matters.
Non-Executive Board member appointments and Board Chair appointments are approved by the Scottish Government.
tenure is for a period of up to four years, extendable on approval.
is led by the Board Chair, supported by a Vice Chair and a Senior Independent Member, and Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs.
membership also includes the Principal, 2 staff members (teaching and non-teaching), 2 Trade Union Members, and 2 student members (usually the President and Vice President).
normally holds Board meetings 4 times per year, plus additional development and strategy sessions, and its work is supported by a number of Committees.
ensures that its Responsibilities and Standing Orders are followed and that appropriate advice is available to enable this to happen. These Standing Orders set out the Board’s practice on those issues that it has powers to determine, plus the arrangements for the reporting of members’ interests and the responsibilities and duties of board members. At all times the Standing Orders will be compliant with the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges and the statutory provisions that determine the governance of the Board.
ensures it maintains an appropriate balance of knowledge, skills, attributes and experience amongst its membership in order to meet its primary responsibilities and maximise its effectiveness.