Present:
J Bromiley (Chair), S. Bullock, A Brennan, R Harrison, V Bailey, S. Laverick, S Robson, M Young, O Fishburn, L Watson.
In Attendance:
C Tomlinson – Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance
J Mitchelson – Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning
H McCoy – Assistant Principal Performance
J Lanagan - Assistant Principal Curriculum Planning and Partnerships
C Cowan – Assistant Principal Curriculum
S Pritchard – Clerk to the Corporation
Apologies for Absence:
Apologies received from G Edmunds, A Jefferson, J Smith and G Dullage
It was noted that Michael Young had accepted a position as Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University and that this would therefore be his last meeting as a governor of the college. The chair thanked him for his contributions and wished him well for the future.
823 Conflicts of Interest:
The Principal declared an interest in relation to confidential matters arising under any other business.
824 Minutes of the Previous Meeting December 2024
Minutes were approved as a correct record.
825 Matters Arising
No matters were arising that were not part of the agenda for the meeting.
826 Student Union:
The Student Wellbeing and Enrichment Coordinator presented the report with the student governors and explained changes in their role and the activity undertaken by the student union in the first term. Governors noted the update on the student union budget.
The Board noted the report
827 Principal’s Reports (confidential)
6.1 Principal’s Update
The Principal presented his update to the Board which was confidential.
The Board noted the report.
6.2 Quality and Curriculum Update
6.2 (a) Safeguarding
The challenges that the college was addressing in relation to the mental health of students was discussed. It was noted that the college would be getting external agencies to support in challenging and targeting the rights students for support and that mental health was often a reason for students leaving the college. A student governor requested that there be a wellbeing flyers or similar showing mental health first aiders posted around college.
A governor queried if the college was comfortable with how effective Prevent measures were working and it was confirmed that one referral had been made and that the safeguarding officer was trained on the referral process and was also working with staff on site. The low bar for triggering a report to the safeguarding team with regard to online safety was explained when students use search engines.
Action: longitudinal data to be included in future reports to allow the board to identify trends and contextualise data.
The Board noted the report.
6.2 (b) Annual Monitoring Report (Complaints)
The Board noted that complaints were of a slightly more serious nature and there were more complaints referred externally but that generally there were a low level of complaints and that learning from complaints was being actioned. A student governor confirmed the findings in the report regarding student perception of staff challenging behaviour and that the issue often arose from the student’s own behaviour.
The Board noted the report
6.3 Finance and Resources
6.3 (a) Estates Update
This report is confidential.
The Board noted the report.
6.3 (b) Finance Update
The Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning presented the update to the board. It was noted that Lloyd’s methodologies for its banking covenants were being updated, that a new Finance Director had now been appointed and would be reviewing the management accounts pack.
Action: Finance Director to be invited to Finance and General Purposes Committee
The Board noted the report
6.3 (c) Human Resources Update
The Assistant Principal presented the report and provided an update on pay, staff shortages and vacancies in hard-to-fill roles. The strategy for internal development opportunities was discussed as well as job-sharing between colleges. A governor noted the connection between improving average class sizes and the connection to salaries. The board asked that the college present its pay strategy, even if a phased approach was required to full implementation and delivering the final vision.
The Board noted the report
The Board approved the gender pay gap report
828 Policies for Approval
The following policies were approved:
14-16 Admissions Policy
14-16 Exclusion Policy
Financial Regulations, and in particular the updated delegations to the ARC committee and the Principal
Capitalisation and Depreciation and Asset Acquisition policy (as highlighted in Audit)
Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption policy (as a result of internal audit in 23/24)
Action: the board requested that all future changes to policies be shown in tracked changes so that amendments could be seen clearly, or that confirmation be received that no amendments were required.
829 Governance
8.1 Report on Confidential Items
The Clerk presented the report to the Board and the approach was noted and confirmed.
8.2 Governance Report
The Clerk presented the report to the Board and the recommendations were approved.
The Board noted the resignation of Kirsty Tate as staff governor, the vacancies on the board and the opening of a recruitment search and approved the proposed amendments to the Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference.
The Board appointed Val Bailey to the Curriculum Quality & Standards Committee on a temporary basis until the end of the academic year.
830 Any Other Business
Staff and student governors left the meeting.
