Issue - meetings

Future Governance of Southend Adult Community College

Meeting: 03/11/2020 - Cabinet (Item 520)

520 Future Governance of Southend Adult Community College pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director (Growth and Housing)

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Cabinet considered a report of Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director (Growth & Housing) setting out the current governance arrangements of Southend Adult Community College for review, its status within the Council and proposed a future direction that maximises resources for skills and community learning that will benefit local residents and support economic recovery.

 

Resolved:

          

1. That the transfer from the Southend Adult Community College current governance structure with a Governing Body operating under a Scheme of Delegation to a more flexible model in direct relationship with Council governance to swiftly mobilise employability skills and learning aligned to the priorities of the Council for recovery and prosperity, be approved.

 

2. That an Advisory Board (AB) be established to support recovery, growth, innovation and sustainable future for employability skills and learning in Southend and that the appointment of the AB be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children and Learning.

 

Reasons for Decisions:

 

As set out in the submitted report.

 

Other Options:

 

1. To retain College governance as it is and recruit to vacant governor posts, elect a chair and continue to operate within the scheme of delegation with limited decision making powers in relation to finance.  The college could continue to work at arms-length from the Council and governors would agree the strategic direction and priorities for the delivery of skills and learning across Southend.  Governors would continue to approve College policy and strategy.  The Council would continue to have one representative on the Governing body. 

 

2. While this could offer the autonomy a separate governance structure can bring it would not bring the College closer to the Council thereby unlocking the potential around skills, learning and growth in the local community.   It is also a challenging climate in which to recruit governors with the poor financial position and impending Ofsted inspection.  Moreover the Council would continue to be ultimately responsible for the College. 

 

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Jones

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report of Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director (Growth & Housing) setting out the current governance arrangements of Southend Adult Community College for review, its status within the Council and proposed a future direction that maximises resources for skills and community learning that will benefit local residents and support economic recovery.

 

Resolved:

          

1. That the transfer from the Southend Adult Community College current governance structure with a Governing Body operating under a Scheme of Delegation to a more flexible model in direct relationship with Council governance to swiftly mobilise employability skills and learning aligned to the priorities of the Council for recovery and prosperity, be approved.

 

2. That an Advisory Board (AB) be established to support recovery, growth, innovation and sustainable future for employability skills and learning in Southend and that the appointment of the AB be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children and Learning.

 

Reasons for Decisions:

 

As set out in the submitted report.

 

Other Options:

 

1. To retain College governance as it is and recruit to vacant governor posts, elect a chair and continue to operate within the scheme of delegation with limited decision making powers in relation to finance.  The college could continue to work at arms-length from the Council and governors would agree the strategic direction and priorities for the delivery of skills and learning across Southend.  Governors would continue to approve College policy and strategy.  The Council would continue to have one representative on the Governing body. 

 

2. While this could offer the autonomy a separate governance structure can bring it would not bring the College closer to the Council thereby unlocking the potential around skills, learning and growth in the local community.   It is also a challenging climate in which to recruit governors with the poor financial position and impending Ofsted inspection.  Moreover the Council would continue to be ultimately responsible for the College. 

 

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Jones


 

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