Payment and expenses for college governors
Explains the rules regarding payment and expenses for college governors and board members.
Applies to England and Wales
Although some sixth form college and further education corporations are classed as exempt charities, their governors and board members are subject to the same rules as other charity trustees. Find out where Charity Commission permission is required to make payments to governors.
When to request our permission to pay governors
You need to request our permission if you are:
- paying a governor to be a governor
- making a payment to cover loss of earnings
You don’t need our permission to pay:
- travel and overnight accommodation expenses
- small gifts and honorariums
- governors for providing other goods or services to the institution (as permitted by the Charities Act)
Read more about trustee expenses and payments
How to request our permission to pay governors
You can request permission to pay governors online
Other information
A report by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) recommends how further education and sixth form colleges can improve their standards. It includes guidance from the Charity Commission on governors’ expenses, explaining what governors are eligible for and when they can receive payment.
Read the full review of further education and sixth form college governance: report on findings and recommendations.
Most further education and sixth form colleges are charities that are exempt from charity registration, including:
- further education corporations
- sixth form college corporations
- academy trusts running 16 - 19 academies
- the governing body of St. David’s Catholic College
Other charitable further education and sixth form colleges are not exempt and registered with us.
Read our guidance on exempt charities for more information.