REVISED REMIT AND TIMESCALE
Purpose
1. To provide a basis for members to discuss a revised remit and timescale for the group.
Background
2. At its first meeting the group requested a revised remit and timescale that included the role and relationship of college Accountable Officers, and investigation of the broader regulatory landscape.
3. The group also asked the Executive to consider further the value of a Stakeholder Conference. Having reflected on the views expressed at the first meeting of the group, the revised timescale below excludes a stakeholder conference.
Proposed Revised Remit
4. The remit of the group is to "build on the work of previous reviews and examine the arrangements for accountability and governance in Incorporated Colleges including:
- the broader regulatory landscape in which colleges operate, and the potential overlap of jurisdictions
- whether boards should be responsible for appointing their own membership, including the chair of the board
- strengthening learner participation
- enhancing the capacity of board members
- whether the chair and other board members should be remunerated
- the length of board membership for chairs of colleges
- the roles of, and relationships between, the chair, board, principal to ensure maximum quality oversight, including the Board's ability to obtain independent advice and the roles, responsibilities and relationships of the Accountable Officer
- whether there is a continuing need for powers of Ministerial intervention
- the composition of the boards, including whether more needs to be done to ensure diversity and the current statutory requirement for 50% of board members to have capacity in "industrial, commercial or employment matters or the practice of any profession"
5. Views of members are invited on the revised remit of the group, recognising that further matters are likely to be identified as the group's work progresses.
Proposed Revised Timescale
6. It is envisaged that the activities will principally involve research, interviews with stakeholders, and a written consultation exercise. This workstream is generally not time critical, so the aim would be to complete it by February 2007. The exception to this is consideration of the continuing need for Ministerial powers of intervention.
September 1, 2005
First meeting of Working Group to agree process for review and scope of work, including preliminary consideration of research needs
End September 2005
Meeting of Working Group to consider need for Ministerial powers of intervention and research requirements.
January 2005
Meeting of Working Group to take stock
February 2006
Receive research
March 2006
Meeting of Working Group to consider research and frame consultation questions
May 2006
Issue consultation paper
September 2006
Meeting of Working Group to consider analysis of consultation responses.
October 2006
Meeting of Working Group to discuss draft report.
November 2006
Final meeting of Working Group to agree report.
7. Views of members are invited on the proposed timescale for the group's work and on how regularly the group should meet.