Dear Applicant
Application for Membership of the Board of Governors of West Lothian College
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Board of Governors of West Lothian
College.
Please find attached the application information which includes details of the role and
responsibilities of being a Board Member and the application and interview processes.
If you are wish to proceed to apply, please send a short current CV together with the
completed skills matrix form which is also enclosed, either:
by post to:
Alison Bruce
Clerk to the Board of Governors
West Lothian College
Almondvale Crescent
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 7EP
or by email on abruce@west-lothian.ac.uk.
Please note that the closing date for applications is Friday 28 November 2014 at 12
noon.
If you need any help in completing the application process, please do not hesitate to
contact Alison Bruce, either via 01506 427802 (the College Executive Office) or on
abruce@west-lothian.ac.uk.
Yours sincerely
Alison Bruce
Clerk to the Board of Governors
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Board of Governors
Application Information
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Board of Governors
Application Information
Guidance Notes for Applicants
Background
West Lothian College, along with all incorporated colleges in Scotland, is required by
new Scottish Government legislation and regulations to form a new Board of Governors
as from 3 March 2015 and to undertake an open public appointments process to
appoint its non-executive Board Members. Appointments require to be approved by the
Chair of the Board and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. The
Board is seeking to fill 12 non-executive positions.
The Chair of the Board, Janie McCusker, has already been appointed by the Cabinet
Secretary following an open public appointments process.
The total membership of the Board also includes the Principal and Chief Executive, two
Staff Members and two Student Members, making a maximum membership of 18.
Person Specification
The Board of West Lothian College, as a regional college board, aims to have a
membership:
a) with diverse skills, knowledge and experience which taken together reflects the
current and future needs of the Board and which supports it to meet its
responsibilities for effective governance; these skills include the areas of financial
management, audit, estates and property management, human resources,
marketing, IT, academic/education/training background, community, general
management, strategic management, organisational development, and governance;
and
b) which, as far as possible, reflects the diversity of the people in the region and
comprises at least 40% men and 40% women.
The Board would welcome applications from individuals within groups which are
currently under-represented on Scottish Public Bodies, such as women, people from
ethnic minorities and disabled groups and people under the age of 50.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
The Board seeks to appoint members who:
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a) can be expected to adhere to the Nine Principles of Public Life and act at all times
in good faith and in the best interests of learners. These principles are:
selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership,
public service and respect; and
b) have significant experience or knowledge of:

further, higher or senior secondary education or the college student experience;
or

industry, commerce, finance, the Third Sector, public service, or trades unions;
or

the region (or part of it) and its relevant needs; or

such other skills, knowledge, experience or attributes as the Board considers
relevant to ensure effective corporate governance and the proper exercise of its
functions.
Role and Responsibilities of the Board of Governors
The Board is unambiguously and collectively responsible for overseeing the College’s
activities, determining its future direction and fostering an environment in which the
College’s objectives and outcomes are achieved and the potential of all learners is
maximised.
The Board must ensure compliance with the statues, ordinances and provisions relating
to the College and its framework of governance and, subject to these, take all final
decisions on matters of fundamental concern to the College and be accountable for
these.
The Board will meet sufficiently regularly in order to discharge its duties effectively and
members must attend regularly and participate actively.
Term of Appointment
If appointed, you will be appointed for a term of up to four years from 3 March 2015.
After this period, should you wish, you are able to re-apply for a further term of service.
Such reappointment will be subject to your performance on the Board and also
consideration of the skills requirements of the Board at that time.
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Induction and Training
If appointed, you will be provided with an induction programme to develop your
understanding of the College. During your appointment, you will also have the
opportunity to participate in additional training and briefings to enhance your skills and
knowledge.
Time Commitment
Different members will have differing levels of involvement. As a minimum, you will be
expected to attend four full Board meetings per year and at least three Committee
meetings. Full Board meetings are currently held at 4.30pm on a Tuesday and the
Committees, at least one of which you will be required to be a member, meet on
differing days in the morning. Each meeting will normally last approximately two hours.
Meetings will be held in the main College buildings in Livingston.
Remuneration
The position of Board member is not remunerated. You will, however, be able to claim
reasonable travel and subsistence expenses for your participation in Board activity.
Should you have childcare or carer commitments, the College will reimburse you for
reasonable expenses associated with alternative care arrangements.
Application Process
If you are interesting in joining the Board, you should provide a short current CV and
complete the skills matrix form enclosed. Applications should be sent:
by post to:
Alison Bruce
Clerk to the Board of Governors
West Lothian College
Almondvale Crescent
Livingston
West Lothian
EH54 7EP
or by email on abruce@west-lothian.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is Friday 28 November 2014 at 12 noon. Late
applications will not be accepted.
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Selection and Interview Process
Your application will be considered by the Chair of the Board and an Independent
Person who will review the information you have provided against the person
specification and the overall skills matrix for the Board. Those selected for interview will
be contacted no later than 5 December 2014.
Interviews will take place during the weeks of 8 and 15 December 2014. If you are to
be interviewed, you will be advised of the names of the members of the interview panel
in your invitation for interview letter. Interviews will take place in the main College
buildings in Livingston. Applicants not selected for interview will be notified.
The interview will last approximately 30 minutes, during which the interview panel will:

ask you questions based upon the information you have provided in your application
to verify this and explore the skills and experience you could bring to the Board; and

provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the
College or service with the Board.
Appointment Process
Following the interview panel’s deliberations and decisions, the Chair of the Board is
required to submit nominations for appointment to the Cabinet Secretary for Education
and Lifelong Learning for final approval. It is expected that the Chair will be in a position
to do this in early January 2015. The Cabinet Secretary aims to consider nominations
and grant approvals on appointments within a month. It is hoped, therefore, to inform
interviewees in early February 2015.
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West Lothian College
Board of Governors
Skills Matrix Form
Please indicate below the skills, knowledge or experience of these areas of
responsibility you may have and return this form with your CV.
Name .............................................................
Skill or knowledge
or experience
Financial
management
Audit experience
Yes
No
Further information (optional)
Estates or property
management or
construction work
Human resources
Marketing
Information
technology (IT)
Academic or
education or training
background
Community
involvement
General
management
Strategic
management or
organisational
development
Corporate
governance – public
or private sectors
Other – please give
details
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