FE colleges under pressure to publish minutes

With the news that nearly half of colleges have failed to publish governor minutes in 2025, the FE Commissioner is putting FE leaders under pressure to tighten their approach to record-keeping and ensure that board discussions are made public.

Audit reveals gaps in minute publication

According to an audit of 215 colleges by FE Week, 106 had not released full board meeting minutes in 2025, 45 had published nothing in the past year, and 10 had gone more than two and a half years without sharing any records. Six colleges were found to have never published minutes at all.

While there is no suggestion of deliberate concealment – reasons cited for non-publication include staff shortages, website updates, and administrative burden – the publication of governor meeting minutes is a clear expectation under guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office. In line with the Freedom of Information Act, colleges are expected to publish meeting minutes for the current and previous three years.

Digital tools for better governance

By releasing meeting minutes to the public, colleges not only demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability but also establish a clear record of governance decisions, enabling them to track strategic changes and benchmark progress for future improvements. Persistent failure to publish minutes risks reputational damage and may trigger intervention where governance standards fall short.

To support transparency, many colleges are turning to digital governance platforms. These tools enable boards to manage agendas, share documents securely, and record decisions in real time – removing many of the manual barriers that slow down minute-taking and publication. They help ensure that records are captured accurately, actions are tracked, and documentation is stored in a way that’s both compliant and accessible.

OneAdvanced’s Meetings and Board Management solution is one example of how technology can support this shift. Designed with the needs of FE colleges in mind, it offers a secure, centralised space for managing meetings from start to finish. Governors can access papers, contribute to discussions, and monitor progress on actions – all within a streamlined digital interface that supports transparency and consistency. Built-in templates and automated workflows help ensure that minutes are published promptly and archived correctly, while audit-ready records make it easier to demonstrate compliance when needed.

Building trust and compliance

By combining existing governance expertise with the right tools, colleges can close the gap between intention and execution. Most boards already understand what good looks like – structured agendas, clear decisions, timely publication – but putting that into practice consistently requires systems that support the process. Whether reducing reliance on email chains, improving version control, or simply making it easier to find past records, digital platforms offer practical solutions to familiar challenges.

In a climate where scrutiny is increasing and expectations are clear, minute publication must be treated as a core governance responsibility. With the right support in place, FE governors can ensure that every meeting leaves a reliable and accessible record – one that reflects the quality of their decision-making and reinforces their college’s commitment to openness.