Governance

Ensuring stability and implementing new policies.

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The Corporation is the Governing Body of the college, established through the merger of Seevic College and Palmer’s College on 1 August 2017.

Each college was established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. Following the merger, the Corporation changed its name in November 2018 to Unified Seevic Palmer’s College, using the trading name of USP College. The Corporation exists to provide Further and Higher Education and is also allowed to supply goods and services in connection with its education provision.

The USP College Governance

The Corporation’s function is to decide on strategic policy and the overall direction of the college and monitor the performance of the most senior managers in the college to ensure the quality and effectiveness of provision that is offered to students within the area.

The Corporation’s Instrument and Articles of Government provide the legal basis on which it operates, specifying the composition of the Corporation, how it must conduct its business, its duties and responsibilities and its role as an employer, with regard to students and with regard to the discharge of its financial responsibilities.

The Corporation must be properly constituted. Each member of the Corporation owes a fiduciary duty to the college; that is, they must show the highest loyalty to the college and act in good faith in its interests. Effectively, each member must try to act honestly, diligently, and independently while paying due attention to the requirement to take collective responsibility as part of a corporate body. The Corporation regularly reviews and updates all of its policies and procedures, which provide the framework for its operations, to ensure that they are up to date and comply with the best practice in the sector and particularly the key principles for public office, namely:

  • Selflessness
  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Accountability
  • Openness
  • Honesty
  • Leadership.

These values are enshrined in the Code of Conduct, outlining the standards set by the Corporation for governorship and how it conducts its business. This includes an open Register of Interests for Members, which is available for public scrutiny. The key documents which relate to the governance of the college listed below.

Key Governance Documents

Corporation Business

The Corporation will normally meet at least once a term. It operates through a number of committees that deal with the detailed work of the Corporation. Each committee also meets at least once a term:

  • Risk and Audit Committee
  • Finance and Resources Committee
  • Quality Committee
  • Search and Governance Committee
  • Remuneration Committee (meets annually).

All of the committees operate to approved terms of reference:

Appointment to the Corporation

The Search and Governance Committee is responsible for all membership issues, and no independent member can be appointed to the Corporation without recommendation by the Committee.

Membership of the Corporation is broadly defined within the Instrument and Articles of Government and, within these parameters, comprises of independent members, the Principal and staff and student members.

Contacting the Chair of Governors

To contact the Chair of Governors, please send any correspondence to:

Paul Wakeling
C/O USP College
Seevic Campus
Runnymede Chase
Benfleet
Essex SS7 1TW