Minutes of the East Durham College Full Board Meeting held on 17th October 2024

D Butler (Chair), S Duncan, A Brennan, R Harrison, J Bromiley, G Dullage, G Edmunds, V Bailey, A Jefferson, S. Laverick, S Robson, K Tate

C Tomlinson – Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance

H McCoy – Assistant Principal Performance 

J Lanagan - Assistant Principal Curriculum Planning and Partnerships 

L Haggis – Campus Director Houghall 

S Pritchard – Clerk to the Corporation

Apologies were received from M Young, A Nesbitt and J Smith

No conflicts of interest were declared. 

The minutes were accepted as a correct record.

The Chair thought it appropriate to formally note that at the previous meeting the Board had thanked Suzanne Duncan and wished her well for her retirement and they had since received the sad news of her passing. The Chair confirmed that he had wrote to Suzanne’s husband shortly after she passed offering condolences on behalf of the Board and College. 

No matters were arising that were not part of the agenda for the meeting.

The Principal presented his update to the Board and highlighted key points.

The board noted in particular that KPIs have been set which will form the basis of ongoing scrutiny and challenge at college management meetings throughout the year, that good progress is being made with the LSIF project, and capital funding has been spent in line with plans and is on track

The board noted the progress the Principal had made in developing relationships with all major stakeholders to help with future growth and sector updates.

The Board noted that the AoC has held discussions with Trade Unions regarding pay awards and it was acknowledged that it would be difficult for colleges to recommend an award over 2%. The College Leadership Group will review the proposed pay award and present a proposal to the December Board meeting.

The Principal thanked D Butler on behalf of the college for his service to the College as Chair. 

In terms of working with other colleges a governor asked how the college assesses the impact of the new resources, which would also be useful for future bids.  The Principal responded that colleges are now at the point of deploying resources and many of the resources are embedded into the curriculum including stand alone modules for upskilling workforce or adding value. 

A Governor acknowledged the news regarding the formalisation of Durham Learning Alliance and asked if there was a particular view in terms of the opportunities and intentions of how that moves the college forward. The Principal responded that concept would widen participation and look at areas of curriculum where colleges and the university could complement each other. The college is to host an event on behalf of Durham County council relating to Higher Education and careers framework and College Leadership Group will discuss key messages for events. 

The Board noted the college and sector updates, including the purposeful partnership update and activities which demonstrates the College’s achievement of its mission.

The Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance presented the report. 

The Board noted that the college is below the national achievement pass rates, and the strategies set to address this within this academic year. 

It was noted that weekly meetings have taken place since the start of the academic year to review enrolment numbers and those learners at risk, to address retention.  

The Board further noted the work being done to widen the level of support to every student, within its finite resources.

A Governor queried whether the College could engage further with schools to give students a realistic expectation of being an independent learner at college and to aid with transition. 

The Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance outlined the efforts made to date and agreed to consider what more could be done to assist Year 12 students to transition into a more independent life and way of learning 

The Board noted outcomes for 2023/24.

The Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance presented the report to the Board.  The report was considered to be confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivity.

The Board noted enrolment and recruitment data to date.

The Assistant Principal Performance presented the report to the Board. The report was considered to be confidential. 

The Board noted the content of the report.

The Vice Principal presented the report and highlighted the accident statistics and that the Director of Estates and Health and Safety Manager were undertaking a review of health and safety statistics and processes. 

The Board noted that Health and Safety audits are underway and will start with the high risk areas including the Farm, Engineering, Equine and Arboriculture.

In response to a governor’s query, the Vice Principal confirmed that the External Visits Procedure had been reviewed and approved by College Leadership Group. 

The Board noted the content of the report.

The Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning presented the report which had also been reviewed and discussed at Finance and General Purposes Committee.  The report was confidential for reasons of commercial sensitivity. 

The Board noted the content of the report.

The Principal presented the report and statement to the Board and reminded the Board of Audit & Risk Committee’s role in overseeing risk.  

The Board noted the report and agreed that the College is fully compliant with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Code of Governance (2024) (formerly referred to as the recommendations of the Turnbull Committee) regarding the monitoring of the corporation risk management and internal control framework. 

The Board noted and agreed the changes to the college’s approach to risk management as outlined in the report. 

The Clerk presented the report.

Governors were asked to note that M Curry resigned over the summer. It was noted that J Smith has put himself forward to be the link governor for Safeguarding and Inclusive Learning. 

Governors were asked to note and approve the changes to the Instruments and Articles of Government. 

New governor induction scheduled for Thursday 5th December, prior to start of Full Board meeting. The Clerk informed governors that in previous years she has circulated a trustees training event which takes place in November and asked anybody who would like to attend to contact her.  

The Board noted the resignation of M Curry and agreed to the appointment of J Smith as link governor for Safeguarding and Inclusive Learning. 

The Board noted and agreed the Instruments and Articles of Governance. 

The unconfirmed DRAFT minutes of the June 2024 Audit & Risk Committee were noted.

The unconfirmed DRAFT minutes of the June 2024 Curriculum Quality & Standards Committee were noted. 

Vice Principal provided an update on the Houghall Planning and the Sale of the Arena Pitch.   The board noted progress on applying for a development certificate for the farmhouse property as being used for residential purposes, the intention to move pre-application in October with an outcome expected in January, and the efforts made to progress the sale of the Arena Pitch which will go to the planning committee on 10 December. 

A governor recommended looking at sequencing the sale, subject to planning, immediately particularly taking into account the DfE changes in March.  The Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning advised that there were interested parties. 

J Bromiley took the opportunity to mark the last meeting of David Butler as Chair.  D Butler has led the college through some difficult times, particularly the regional review process and planning processes and his indefatigable efforts to support the college were recognised. J Bromiley thanked David on behalf of the Board and personally for all the support.