Askham Bryan College Corporation Corporation Meeting Minutes of the meeting held Wednesday 13 March 2013 – 5.30pm-8.30pm Committee Room B, Askham Bryan College, York The meeting was preceded with a tour of the York campus and meeting potential new Governors. 33. Attendees Present: David Black (DB), Alan Bowe (AB) – (Newton Rigg Committee Chair), Ian Brown (IB), Alun Davies (AD) – (Corporation Vice Chair/Search Committee Chair), Julian Davies (JDa), Andrew Humphries (AH), Eleanor Kershaw (EK) – (Student Governor), Peter McKenzie (PM) – (Audit Committee Chair), Liz Philip (EJP) – (Principal/CEO), Ian Snowden (IS) – (Staff Governor), Matthew Steel (MS) – (Student Governor), Helen Swiers (HS), Ian Youdan (IY) – (Corporation Chair) In attendance: Judith Clapham (JC) - (Clerk to the Corporation - minute taker), John Glahome (JG) – (Director of Finance), Ian Harmer (IH) – (Deputy Principal Finance and Resources), John Mawson (JM) – (Director of Physical Resources), Jane Tupper (JT) – (Deputy Principal Students and Standards) 34. Apologies for absence: Apologies for absence were received from Jane Downes (JDo) and Philip Grant (PG) – (Staff Governor), Tim Englefield (TE) – (Deputy Principal Curriculum and Planning), Wes Johnson (WJ) – (Campus Principal, Newton Rigg). 35. Ratification of Academic Staff Governor Resolved: AD proposed that Ian Snowden’s appointment as Academic Staff Governor was formally ratified, HS seconded, all agreed. 36. Ratification of Deputy Principal Finance and Resources Resolved: PM proposed that Ian Harmer’s appointment as Deputy Principal Finance and Resources was formally ratified, IB seconded, all agreed. 37. Nomination and Election for the position of Chair of the Corporation as from 1 April 2013 IY left the meeting and AB took over as Chair. The paper sent prior to the meeting was referred to. It was acknowledged that one nomination had been received for IY to continue as Chair. Resolved: IB proposed that IY continue as Chair, PM seconded, all agreed. IY returned to the meeting and thanked the Governors for their support, stating that it was an honour. 38. Nomination and Election for the position of Vice Chair of the Corporation as from 1 April 2013 AD left the meeting and IY resumed as Chair.

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The paper sent prior to the meeting was referred to. It was acknowledged that one nomination had been received for AD to continue as Vice Chair. Resolved: IB proposed that AD continue as Vice Chair, PM seconded, all agreed. AD returned to the meeting and thanked the Governors for their support. 39. Declarations of Interest There were no new or changes to the standing declarations of interest as detailed below:  EJP, IB and IY declared an interest as Directors of Askham Bryan College Company Limited.  AB declared an interest with regard to property matters in relation to H&H Bowe Ltd (Chartered Surveyors, Land Agents and Valuers).  IB declared an interest in Haddon Training.  DB declared an interest as Managing Director of Paragon Veterinary Group who provide veterinary services to the college.  IY declared an interest as a consultant to Brown & Co. 40. Minutes of the meeting held 19 December 2012 Resolved: The minutes from the Corporation Meeting held 19 December 2013 were accepted as a true and accurate record and signed by IY as Chair. 41. Matters arising from the minutes/action schedule JG explained that the two actuaries were still in negotiations regarding the FRS 17 settlement. There were no other matters arising that were not felt to be covered by the agenda. 42. Strategy and Management Principal’s Report – presented by EJP Members agreed that elements of minute 42, Principal’s Report should be classified as confidential on the grounds of commercial sensitivity and reviewed in one year. The minutes and associated reports are therefore not available for circulation to the public, college staff or students (excluding senior post holders). EJP updated the Corporation on the following:  The College is doing exceptionally well on all key indicators. Retention, Admissions and the current management accounts all show strong performance, though the climate of austerity is beginning to cast a shadow over future operations.  The Government has a focus on English and Maths, whereby all young people without a Grade C at GCSE will be required to be taught these two subjects and traineeships – preparing young people for work. The College is to recruit a teacher for these areas. There was a discussion regarding the impact on the student and courses and hours involved. 43. Finance and Audit – presented by JG Management Accounts to 31 December 2012/31 January 2013 and forecast for 12/13 Consideration was given to the consolidated accounts to 31 December 2012 and 31 January 2013 as presented in the report. It was noted that an adverse variance for the full year against budget is estimated, due to a review of subcontractor income and payments. The cash position was considered.

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Resolved: The Management Accounts to 31 December 2012 and 31 January 2013 were approved. 44. Curriculum and Planning Admission Summary 2013/14 Consideration was given to the Admission Summary for 2013-14 Academic Year Report which is looking very positive as detailed in the report. Fees Policy Consideration was given to the Fees Policy for the Academic Year 2013/14 (GA8). It was noted that the Campus Fee at Newton Rigg has been suspended for one year. Resolved: AD proposed that the Fees Policy for the Academic Year 2013/2014 be approved, PM seconded, all agreed. 45. Students and Standards – presented by JT Disciplinary Mid Year Report The Half Year Update of Student Disciplinaries 2012/13 with Comparison for 2011/12 (overall) was referred to. As detailed in the report, it was noted that the prediction is for a slight increase, but as student numbers have increased this was expected and there are no real concerns at this stage. Learner Voice Mid Year Report Consideration was given to the Learner Voice Half Year Update Report as presented to the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Governors were updated on Learner Voice arrangements, feedback and the impact in the current year (2012/13) as detailed in the report, including the Learner Voice Policy & Procedure, Focus Group Feedback, SPOC (FE Students), HE NSS Survey and Student Council. The You Said, We Did example was thought to be very positive. Safeguarding Mid Year Report Consideration was given to the Safeguarding – Mid Year Update Report detailing the Safeguarding Register to Date and developments connected with Safeguarding. Awareness raising across College to promote Safeguarding to staff and students is planned. It was noted that Safeguarding is no longer a ‘limiting grade’ in the Ofsted inspection, but is an ‘expectation’ sitting under ‘Leadership and Management’. Quality Improvement Plan Mid Year Report Consideration was given to the Update on Self Assessment 2011/12 and Quality Improvement Plan 2012/13 updating the Corporation on progress against the Quality Improvement Plan as detailed in the report for Outcomes for Learners, Teaching, Learning and Assessment and Effectiveness of Leadership and Management. The Self Assessment Report for 2011/12, validated by Landex was considered. Health and Safety Mid Year Report The Half Year Update on Health and Safety Report was referred to. The Corporation were made aware of the main health and safety issues, training, Committee, Inspections, Accidents, Events, new build, policies and procedures and statistics, as detailed in the report. E&D Mid Year Report Consideration was given to the Half Year Update on Equality and Diversity via which the Corporation were updated on the current position regarding Equality and Diversity at the 3

College, policy, success rates, analysis for staffing, objectives and impact/activity across College, as detailed in the report. Complaints Mid Year Report The Mid Year Report on Complaints 2012/13 was referred to and the Corporation informed of the position regarding complaints received to date and the actions/impact emerging, as detailed in the report. 46. Governance Register of Governor’s Interests Summary Consideration was given to the Register of Governors declared interests as at 27 October 2012, which was noted. Consideration was given to the summary of recommendations from the following meetings which Governors were asked to approve and adopt: 13 February 2013 Audit Committee Meeting Minutes  That Governors accept the Audit Committee Annual Report 2011-12.  That the Rolling Implementation Plan of Audit Recommendations at ABC be accepted.  That the Audit Plan for Audit Requirements at ABC and Newton Rigg be accepted.  That the appointment process for the External Audit Function for financial year 1 August 2013/2014 be approved. Resolved: The above recommendations were approved and adopted. 47. Confidential items Resolved: It was felt that minute number 42 – Principal’s Report and 48 – Any other business should be classified as confidential on the grounds of commercial and staff sensitivity. The minutes and associated reports are therefore not available for circulation to the public, college staff or students (excluding senior post holders for minute number 26). 48. Any other business There was a confidential session for external Corporation members only which was classified as confidential on the grounds of staff sensitivity. The minutes and associated reports are therefore not available for circulation to the public, college staff or students. Only external Governors sat in this session. 49. Date of next meeting Resolved: Wednesday 22 May 2013 at 12 midday, Conference Centre, Newton Rigg. Action Schedule Date Action Raised Current 13 March 2013 Pending 19 Dec 2012

Minute No

Action required

Action by

By when

45

Meet with Dave Campbell to discuss Horticulture.

JT & EJP

ASAP

27

To keep Governors updated on the FRS17 situation

JG

ASAP

4

19 Dec 2012 19 Sept 2012

29

Four members of the Projects Committee to be agreed External Complaints to be included in a separate report

All

ASAP

JT

Consideration to be given as to who could be the Safeguarding Link Governor

Search

When next reported on 7 Nov

Link Governance and how it works to be discussed at October Strategic Planning Event.

Governors

Oct

Learning and Skills Council – Delivering Value for Money through Infrastructural Change was circulated to Governors who were asked to read it prior to the Strategic Planning Event JDa comments re H&S Policy to be circulated to JT and Dave Adams. H&S Policy to be revised accordingly and reviewed again at December Corporation Meeting Consider the Annual Cycle of Business and feedback any comments to the Clerk

All

26 Oct

Clerk/JT/Da ve Adams

19 Dec

SMT/Gover nors

30 Sept

17

Audit Committee vacancies to be considered by Search Committee

Search

7 Nov

85

IY to write to JW, NL and JR

IY

ASAP

75

PM/JC

ASAP

JT/JC

ASAP

AD/EJP/JC

ASAP

Governors

ASAP

96

Further consideration to be given to Declarations of Interest Ofsted Post Inspection Action Plan progress report to be circulated to Governors. Further consideration to be given to Link Governance Inform Clerk of any issues with Draft Schedule of meetings Arrange alternative date for Search Committee

JC

ASAP

96

Recommendations from minutes to be actioned.

ASAP

76

Produce a table of acronyms

JC to instigate JC

16

19 16 Sept 2012 12 July 88 2012 Cleared 19 13 Sept 2012 19 Sept 2012

16

19 Sept 2012 19 Sept 2012 12 July 2012 3 May 2012 3 May 2012 3 May 2012 12 July 2012 12 July 2012 12 July 2012 3 May 2012 3 May 2012

17

80

Costs for Lowbeckside to be given to Corporation for approval.

EJP

12 July 2012 12 July 2012 3 May 2012 3 May

88

Link Governor Template report to be produced

JC

As availabl e ASAP

85

JC to write to NL to confirm no longer a Governor

JC

ASAP

80

Governors to send responses to Governor Training and Development Policy Audit Committee to meet 4 times a year

All

16 May 2012 As

78 80 96

82

5

JC to

ASAP

2012

arrange

appropri ate

Pending and cleared items will be added to future minutes. I certify that this is a true and accurate record of the meeting held 13 March 2013 and agree to them being made public on the Askham Bryan website. Signed Chair

Date

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