Auditor General reports on significant issues with three college bodies

March 23, 2016

The Auditor General has reported to the Scottish Parliament today on matters raised during the annual audits of three bodies in the college sector.

The following significant issues were identified during the 2014/15 annual audits of Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board (GCRB), Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) and Edinburgh College:

problems relating to GCRB's governance arrangements and its relationships with the three assigned colleges in Glasgow and the Scottish Funding Council during 2014/15;
concerns about governance at GCC during 2014/15, including the use of public funds by GCC in relation to legal advice and services during that financial year.
concerns relating to severe financial challenges facing Edinburgh College, which led to the body requesting additional support from Scottish Funding Council in order to meet its operating costs;

Caroline Gardner, Auditor General for Scotland, said:

"Colleges play a critical role in developing a highly educated and skilled workforce, which in turn helps achieve sustainable economic growth.

"The circumstances set out in these three reports differ, but they all fall short of the standards of good governance or financial management expected of public bodies which deliver services for thousands of students."

The three reports are available here:

Audit Scotland plans to publish its annual overview of the college sector in August 2016.