Agenda and minutes

Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman welcomed Mr Bensted-Smith to his first meeting. She also thanked the Officers from Christ’s Hospital for attending.

Apologies for absence were received from The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, The Lord Moutevans, Deputy Catherine McGuinness, Deputy Alistair King and Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow.

Mr Seaton declared a non-pecuniary interest and stated that he was currently a serving Governor of King Edward’s School, Witley.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 27 November 2015.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2016 were considered and approved as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Christ’s Hospital – Process for the Presentation of a Child (page 3) – The Chairman reported that the lunch held after this meeting to which all of the City’s presentees were invited would now be an annual event. In order to be able to invite the current year’s presentee along in future, the Chairman proposed a short meeting of the Committee take place ahead of the main meeting in April each year in order to allow Members to make a definitive decision on the presentee for the year in question. Given that acceptances for places offered were not received by the School until the first week in March, it was decided that a short, half hour meeting, take place in mid-March each year to consider the appointment of a presentee only.  

Members stated that, going forward, it would be preferable to be presented with a choice of presentee who matched the City’s criteria. The Head of Admissions, Christ’s Hospital reported that she hoped that this would be possible in future years however, this had not been possible this year. She went on to explain that this year had been quite peculiar in that a number of places offered to candidates who fitted the City’s criteria had declined the offer. Members were informed that candidates often had a lot of choice and that it was not unusual for them to be sitting 6 or 7 different entrance examinations. The Head of Admissions reported that the level of credit card/unsecured debt of some applicants was also a current issue.

To appoint two Donation Governors as follows:

a) One Donation Governor in the room of Sophie Fernandes for a presentee at CH     (2013-2020); and

b) One Donation Governor for the City's 2016 presentee (2016-2023).

The Committee proceeded to appoint two Donation Governors, one in the room of a Governor who had now resigned from the Committee and one for the City’s 2016 presentee.

The Chairman stated that she would like to establish a succession plan of Donation Governors. She added that there were still two further vacancies outstanding on the Committee and that it was an expectation that all Members of the Committee would be appointed as Donation Governors at least once.

RESOLVED – That:

a) Dennis Cotgrove be appointed as Donation Governor for Francesca Shannon (2013-  2020) in the room of Sophie Fernandes; and

b)Nicholas Bensted-Smith be appointed as Donation Governor for the City of London’s 2016 presentee to Christ’s Hospital (2016-2023).

There were no questions.

Freedom of the City – Corporal Leaky

The Chairman reported on the forthcoming Freedom Ceremony and Q&A event with Corporal Josh Leaky, a former pupil of Christ’s Hospital who had been awarded the Victoria Cross. The Chairman stated that she was keen to have all of the City’s presentees invited to attend this event.

Information flow from Christ’s Hospital

The Committee discussed ways in which the information flow from the School might be improved.

A Member mentioned a former publication, “Who’s Blue” which provided Members with information on former students of the School. The Development Officer, Christ’s Hospital reported that she believed that this was now available online but that she would clarify this and come back to the Committee on the matter.

The Development Officer also undertook to provide all Committee Members with School Calendars and to provide Donation Governors with Christ’s Hospital pins.

Finally, the Head of Admissions suggested that Members consult the school website on a regular basis, particularly the ‘Current News’ section to seek the most up to date information.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

            Item No.                                                          Exemption Paragraph(s)

                 8                                                                                   1

                 9                                                                             1, 2 & 3

                10                                                                                  1

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2015.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2015 were considered and approved as a correct record.

The Committee received a report and update from Christ’s Hospital.

To consider Christ Hospital’s nomination for the Corporation’s 2016 Presentation to Christ’s Hospital.

The Committee considered and approved an application for the City’s 2016 presentee.

There were no questions in the non-public session.

The Chairman updated the Committee on Christ’s Hospital’s Governance and Management changes.