Legal Framework

Accrington and Rossendale College has a long history, but its current legal status stems from the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, as amended by the Learning and Skills Act 2000. The 1992 Act established Accrington and Rossendale College, like all other FE colleges, as an independent Corporation with exempt charity status. The Acts specify the purpose of colleges and to a large extent how they should operate.

What this means is that legally the college Corporation, the Board of Governors, owns the college’s buildings and other assets, employs the staff and is responsible for how the college is run. However, it must operate within the framework resulting from the 1992 Act. This is set out in the Instrument and Articles of Government, which define the powers, membership, role and responsibilities of the college Corporation.

The Corporation must also comply with general laws relating to employment, equality and diversity, and health and safety, as well as various financial memoranda and other agreements required as a condition of the college’s funding. 

Whilst it is not a legal requirement, governors are expected to comply with the Principles of Public Life set out by the Nolan Committee. 

Click on the link to view the Instrument and Articles of Government and the Nolan Principles.