College board complaint thrown out
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A COMPLAINT about the conduct of four members of the board of management at North Highland College UHI has been thrown out.
The Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland decided to take no action after investigating an allegation against former principal Rosemary Thompson and board members William Bruce, Jillian Bundy and Tom Sayles.
It was alleged they did not adhere to the code of conduct in relation to the work of the college’s remuneration committee.
The complaint was lodged by Dr Paul Monaghan, chair of the audit and risk management committee, on behalf of its members.
The investigation got under way on November 2 and the decision was published last month.
The commissioner, D. Stuart Allan, found there was no contravention of the code of conduct but made a number of recommendations regarding good practice guidance and governance.
“In recent years there had been increasing tensions in the operation of the college’s board of management.
“Differing views emerged and consensus proved difficult to achieve,” he stated.
“There had also been ongoing changes in the membership of the board with a number of new members being appointed – not necessarily with experience in further education but with other skills and backgrounds – who the board considered would be of benefit to its operations and of benefit to the college.
“The corollary to that development was, of course, the loss of former board members who had gained significant experience and knowledge of overseeing college affairs. The members of the audit and risk management committee had not been involved in the work of the remuneration committee.”
He pointed out a review of governance concluded in April last year that the college’s performance indicated a “good level of compliance to specific requirements”.
It gave an overall rating to the college of 71.8 per cent.
The complaint centred on remuneration decisions taken in relation to the college’s senior management who were paid less than their counterparts nationally.
There was a clear view it was desirable to increase salary scales from the initial low point, said Mr Allan.
Particular reference was made to a meeting of the remuneration committee held on February 15, last year. It was attended by Mr Bruce, Ms Bundy and Mr Sayles.
One of the decisions made was to award Mrs Thompson a single salary increment as retiring principal in respect of the preceding financial year. But it was only backdated for six months from the date of decision.
In his report, the commissioners noted Mr Bruce, Mrs Bundy and Mr Sayles were not the only members of the remuneration committee during that period. He also noted Mrs Thompson was never a member of the committee and did not take decisions on the level of her remuneration.
He said: “Having considered the information that arose from my investigation, I concluded that Mr Bruce, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Bundy and Mr Sayles had not contravened the code of conduct for members of the board of management.”
But he stated: “I recommended that the board seek additional guidance from the funding council and take account of other relevant good practice guidance in relation to governance matters.
“In that regard a particular priority and focus should be placed on training for all board members on team working and their strategic role that they have to discharge as opposed to the operational management functions.
“I further recommended that the board of management review the terms of reference and the extent of the powers it has conferred on the audit and risk management committee.”
Mrs Bundy said: “I am pleased the vexatious complaint raised by Paul Monaghan following a protracted period of board disharmony has been found to be completely without foundation.
“This is now the third complaint made by Dr Monaghan during his time on the board. In each case the commission decided that there had been no breach of the code.
“The commissioner has made a number of detailed recommendations to the Scottish Funding Council and North Highland College relating to the conduct and powers of the audit committee, of which Dr Monaghan is chair.
“I would hope that this now allows the board to move forward constructively with more important strategic issues.”
Mr Sayles did not want to comment while Mrs Thompson and Mr Bruce were unavailable when contacted.
Dr Monaghan yesterday said he thought the issue would be discussed at the next board of management meeting.
“The board aspires to achieve the highest possible standards of governance and works hard to achieve that.
“I expect the board of management will consider the report from the Public Standards Commissioner in due course and will form its view and take action as appropriate,” he said.
Principal Gordon Jenkins stressed the college is always looking for ways to improve its performance and governance.
“I am sure that any recommendations made by the Public Standards Commissioner will be considered thoroughly by the board,” he said.
