Members vote for more teacher and trainer representation on IfL Council

Tuesday 8 September 2009

At the seventh annual general meeting of the Institute for Learning (IfL), held in Leicester on Tuesday 8 September 2009, fellows of the professional body voted in favour of special resolutions to amend the company's Memorandum and adopt new Articles of Association.

The purpose of these amendments is to support a change in IfL's governance arrangements to:

  • reflect changes in the size and scope of IfL as the membership body for teachers and trainers across further education and skills
  • create a Council with stronger member representation from across the diversity of the FE and skills sector
  • allow the Council to spend its time on policy, and the Board to focus on business
  • reflect changes in the Companies Act
  • provide the best value for money in order to maximise services for members.

  Elections will be held in the autumn for a new Advisory Council comprising:

  • 45 member representatives, elected by IfL members, fellows and associates, with nine seats reserved for regional representation, five for equality and diversity and six for members from different parts of the sector
  • representatives from up to 15 stakeholder organisations chosen for their focus and involvement in the FE and skills sector; a strong commitment to professionalism for teachers and trainers; a national reach; a credible history and a sustainable future
  • observers nominated by their government department or organisation, and acting in a non-voting capacity.

The new Advisory Council will be in place from January 2010 and its 60 members will be the only members of the company, as registered at Companies House. It will be chaired by a non-voting president, elected each year by other members of the Advisory Council. A non-executive board comprising nine member representatives and three stakeholder representatives will be established to take over from the existing Council by June 2010.

Sue Crowley, the chair of IfL's Council, said, "These improvements to our governance structure will allow better member representation, a greater focus on policy matters, and financial savings that can be used to develop even more member benefits. The changes were originally discussed by the Council and a dedicated task group, before we consulted widely with members through an online survey and a series of face-to-face meetings around the country. The consultation showed overwhelming support for increased member representation, and I'm delighted that this has been confirmed by today's vote."

Members also voted:

  • to receive and approve the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2009
  • to appoint UHY Hacker Young as auditors and authorise the Council to fix their remuneration.

Presenting a summary of the audited financial statements, Toni Fazaeli, IfL's chief executive, highlighted:

  • an increase in income from £3m in 2007/08 to £5.1m in 2008/09, reflecting a substantial growth in membership
  • an increase in expenditure from £1.9m in 2007/08 to £4.7m in 2008/09, reflecting the costs associated with providing increased and improved services to a growing body of members
  • a surplus for the year of £0.4m, which has been carried forward as reserves to the next financial year, for reinvestment in member benefits and services during 2009/10.

"As a professional membership body, IfL strives to deliver excellent services to members and to ensure that our financial management supports and is closely aligned to our three strategic priorities – benefits for members, increased status of the profession and more voice for members to influence policy," Ms Fazaeli said. "With a standard membership fee of £30, a key challenge for us is to operate cost-effectively and efficiently so that we can achieve our strategic priorities within budget. Our annual accounts show how we are achieving this, through sound stewardship of fees received from individuals and public money from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) for membership."

Notes to Editors

About IfL

The Institute for Learning (IfL) was formed in 2002 and is the professional body for teachers, tutors, trainers and student teachers in the further education and skills sector, including adult and community learning, emergency and public services, FE colleges, the armed services, the voluntary sector and work-based learning.

All FE college teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision are required to register as members of IfL, undertake continuing professional development (CPD) each year and abide by the IfL Code of Professional Practice. As a key partner in delivering workforce reform, IfL is responsible for managing the registration process and for conferring licensed practitioner status – Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS).

The standard membership fee of £30 is paid by individuals or by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) for teachers and trainers working in LSC-funded provision, as an investment in professionalism.

An independent professional body, IfL is governed by an elected Council and works closely with several sector organisations, unions and employer bodies.

Contact

Press office:

Lindsay Baugh: 07736 246 697 or 01707 392 552

Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk