Minutes of the East Durham College Full Board Meeting held on 30th April 2020

D Butler (Chair), J Bromiley, L Crichton, M Curry, S Duncan, M Etherington G Field, F Harrison, R Harrison, H Lightowler (part meeting), V McFarquhar, J MacIntyre, S Nicholson, E Oughton, I West R Woodhouse.

J Blower - Director of Estates (part meeting)
B Fitzgerald – Vice-Principal Finance and Business Planning
C Tomlinson – Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance
J Owen – Assistant Principal Curriculum
S Pritchard – Clerk to the Corporation
J Maughan – Committee Secretary

E Cobb.

Known and declared conflicts of interest were discussed and highlighted by the Clerk and dealt with appropriately at the relevant agenda items.

• The Chair on behalf of the Board welcomed M Etherington and S Nicholson to their first Full Board meeting.

AGREED
That the minutes of the Full Board meeting held on 27th February 2020 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.

No matters were reported. 

These Included:

This item was presented by the Principal and was regarded as confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivities. The report informed of performance against KPIs; Sector updates, actions taken regarding the closure of College during the COVID 19 crises, including remote delivery, student welfare and student activities that demonstrate the achievement of the College’s mission.

NOTED
The Board noted the contents of the report.

The Director of Estates joined the meeting to present the estates report which  was regarded as confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivities. An  update was provided on the three College Centres. The Chair of Governors declared a conflict with regard to the Willerby Grove Campus.

NOTED
That the Board note the contents of the report and verbal update from the director of estates.
(The Director of Estates Left the meeting)

Quality and Curriculum Update:
This report was regarded as confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivities  and was presented by Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance who provided the Board with an update of the arrangements put in place for the achievement of qualifications, following the cancellation of the 2020 exam series.

NOTED
That the contents of the report and actions taken by the College be noted.

This included:

This report was regarded as confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivities. The report was presented by Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning who advised of the 30/60/90 day college closure financial forecast.

NOTED
 The Board noted the contents of the Report.

This item was discussed prior to item 5.4 a) and was regarded as confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivities. The report was presented by the Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning who informed of the College’s March  2020 financial position.

NOTED
The Board noted the contents of the report.
(H Lightowler left the meeting)

This item was taken prior to item 5

The report was presented by the Clerk of Corporation and the Board were referred to pages 51–55 of the papers. The purpose of the report and the role of the Governing Body during the COVID 19 crisis were outlined. The Board were asked to consider and approve the recommendation within the report. Papers to be noted were to be circulated between meetings and noted at the following Board meeting. Board meetings were scheduled to take place 21st May and 2nd July and papers would be received electronically one week prior to the meeting.

Governors were reminded to complete and return their appraisal forms to Jane Maughan and the process would be concluded with telephone meetings conducted by the Chair of Corporation.

AGREED
That Full Board meetings would be held remotely on 21st May and 2nd July or until the lockdown period was ended. That the Committees be suspended, and relevant documents considered at the Full Board meetings until further notice.

The Chair informed that the next meeting was scheduled for 5.00pm, 21st May 2020 and asked that the points from this meeting be logged and considered further at future meetings.

The Principal advised that the College was still dealing with the practical short term issues but was aware of a need to work in a different way and consider the implications for many areas including the: Estates Strategy, IT Strategy; ILT Strategy; Teaching Staff and Skills Sets; Capital Investment and Government Policies.

A Governor expressed that the Board give consideration to health and wellbeing of the leadership team and take account of the hours and intensity of planning during this crises and support the leadership team in setting a reasonable timeframe for moving forward. The Chair requested that this message and the support of the Board be given across the College. The Board were informed of the College weekly staff newsletter which includes items on health and wellbeing.

Board members were asked to pass any comments on the technology used for the meeting or suggestions on improvement to S Pritchard or J Maughan.

Governors were reminded to forward completed one to one appraisal forms to J Maughan.