Code of conduct for members of the Board

Each Member has agreed to:

1. Support the aims and objectives of the College and promote in the wider community the interests of the College and its students;
2. Work co-operatively with other Corporation Members in the best interests of the College;
3. Acknowledge that differences of opinion may arise in discussion of issues (and may be minuted as such) and accept that members of the committee are entitled to speak against committee decisions when such decisions are discussed in the Board, but agree to support in the wider community the majority decisions of the Board;
4. Base her/his view on matters before the Board on an honest assessment of the available facts, informed by background knowledge and experience in other spheres but unbiased by a partisan or representative view;
5. Acknowledge that as an individual member s/he has no legal authority to act or speak on behalf of the Corporation unless specifically delegated to do so;
6. Ensure that no outside pressure or inducement will result in the use of membership of the Board to benefit her/himself or any outside individuals or organisations;
7. Declare openly and immediately any personal conflict of interest arising from a matter before the Board or from any other aspect of Board membership;
8. Respect the confidentiality of those items of business which the Corporation decides from time to time should remain confidential;
9. Take or seek opportunities to enhance her/his effectiveness as a Member through participation in training and development programmes and by increasing her/his knowledge of the College;
10. Give priority, as far as is practicable, to attending meetings of the Board and its committees;
11. Have regard to the particular need to promote public accountability for the actions and performance of the Board;
12. Provide details of current and future business interests to form the basis of a Register of Interests;
13. Accept the mission of the College;
14. Act in the best interests of the College and ensure that the College:
    1. Continues to respond to local need;
    2. Is supportive of its customers and the wider community;
    3. Provides flexible, good-quality education and training;
    4. Collaborates with as wide a range of partners as possible while meeting its legal.
15. Subscribe to the 'seven principles of public life' listed below.

The seven Principles of Public Life

1. Selflessness
   Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefit for themselves, their family or their friends.
2. Integrity
   Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations which might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
3. Objectivity
   In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts or recommending individuals for rewards or benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
4. Accountability
   Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions in public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate for their office.
5. Openness
   Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest demands.
6. Honesty
   Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way which protects the public interest.
7. Leadership
   Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.