www.iva.co.uk

Hello. I was going to apply for the position as a Parent Governor at my son's school, but noticed that it is not allowed for someone on an IVA. Why is that?

Hi - I have absolutely no idea & think it's a tad OTT. But maybe one of our other members may know why.

Does it entail looking after & deciding budgets & where money should be spent? Even if it does I still feel it's infair.

I've no idea either - hopefully one of the experts can help.

Ask the question directly to the school as sometimes they can back down if pushed. Totally OTT,but if its written down in their rules then its maybe only because nobody has ever questioned it.

I understand that if the IVA is a secret(which lets face it most are),then this action may not be possible.

Paul

It will be a condition of the school not the iva. Unfortunately, a lot of charities take a dim view of people in ivas holding positions. You can challenge the school if yu feel ip to it.

My understanding is that you can not be a School Governor if you are subject to banrkruptcy, although individual schools may have a different criteria under their terms of reference.
I can't see what harm it is if you are not on the finance or even personnel committee but you could bring other knowledge and support to the school as a Governor on other committees.
Are you able to volunteer at the school instead and offer support in an informal capacity if you do not want to discuss it with them?

When I was in an IVA I looked into being a govenor and on the website for govenors it clearly says any insolvency agreement stops individuals from being a govenor - it does not give any reasons and I would be inclined to challenge if you don't mind the school concerned knowing about your situation.

I have been chair of governors at a school throughout my iva. The county council said its only bankrupts that cant

Hi all

i looked into this after being approached to be a trustee for a suicide charity (something i do professionally), i took some legal advise etc i was told anything where authority over financial spend is part of the remit (this includes parent governors) then anyone in an IVA and BR is not allowed to apply, basically the message i got was "because you cant be trusted with money"!

Many school governors will be able to vote on yearly spend, such as being involved in interviewing new staff for the school (i know at my partners new school, for his interview he had the head, deputy and 2 governors), they had a to make a decision between 6 candidates, now depending how long they have been teaching etc depends on what they get paid, so they look for the best candidate which also the school can afford (Hence why skint schools often appoint NQT's if the job is starting in may as the new budgets are appoint from September so they pay a lower rate for 5 months).

Hope this helps
Arty
)O(

A trustee is slightly different from school governor. The law does stop you being a trustee. I suggest the poster rings. County council governor service and see what the policy is. As I have said my area clearly states iva are ok but not bankrupts

Our local authority is the same it only states if you are subject to Bankrupty restrictions.

I've also been a governor throughout my IVA. I am also the Finance Governor and sign off all budgets and purchases over £5000 as well as pay increases, etc. Being in an IVA does not prevent me from doing this at all.

Thank you so much for all your replies.
This is what it says on the application:
"A person may not be a school governor if s/he has made a composition or arrangement with his/her creditors."
I think it's unreasonable, and I will challenge them about it.
Thanks for your help & support.

Let us know how you get on.

It may be different for each LEA. I know for my area, the limitation is with Interim Orders and Bankruptcy Restriction Orders only.