Agenda and minutes

Deputy Eve moved that Alderman Parmley take the Chair ahead of the election of Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Peter Hewitt, Vivienne Littlechild, Hugh Morris, Deputy Dr Giles Shilson (ex-officio), Deputy Sir Michael Snyder (ex-officio), Graham Packham and Judith Pleasance.

Deputy Eve declared a non-pecuniary interest stating that he was continuing to serve as President of the Old Freemen’s Association (OFA).

Councillor Chris Townsend declared a non-pecuniary interest stating that he was currently appointed and serving as an elected representative of Mole Valley District Council.

Order of the Common Council of 25 April 2013, appointing, the Board and setting its terms of reference (TO BE TABLED).

The Town Clerk tabled the Order of the Court of Common Council, 25 April 2013, appointing the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School for 2013/14 and setting its Terms of Reference.

RECEIVED.

To elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Town Clerk read a list of those Governors eligible to stand and Stuart Fraser, being the only Governor expressing a willingness to serve as Chairman, was duly elected for the ensuing year And Took the Chair.

Mr Fraser thanked the Board for their support. He underlined that he had a lot to learn as Chairman of this Board but was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

To elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. 

The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. (3) (a), the immediate past Chairman had chosen to exercise his right to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

Deputy John Bennett was therefore duly appointed as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

         VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PAST CHAIRMAN

Deputy Robin Eve paid tribute to Deputy John Bennett, the past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: 

THAT at the conclusion of his four year term of office as their Chairman, the Members of this Board wish to extend to:

JOHN ALFRED BENNETT, DEPUTY

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the manner in which he has presided over their deliberations, and also for the great care and interest he has shown in all aspects of the life of the City of London Freemen’s School, which has continued to go from strength to strength during this time.

DEPUTY Bennett has been the first Chairman in over twenty years to serve an extended, 4 year term of office, after seeking special permission from the Court of Common Council to do so. During his Chairmanship the School has undergone great change. With regard to School premises, Deputy Bennett has overseen the creation and approval of a ‘Master Plan’ designed to provide state-of-the art boarding, catering, music and swimming facilities over the next few years. Deputy Bennett has ably overseen and steered the approval process and negotiations at all levels and the ‘Phase 1’ works (the construction of a new Boarding House, Music School and changing rooms) are now well underway.

IN terms of other areas of change, Deputy Bennett has pushed for and presided over the creation of a School Development Office, the redirection of

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 21 January 2013 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the last meeting held on 21 January 2013 were approved and agreed as a correct record.

The Chairman wished to record his thanks to those Governors who had not returned to the Board. John Brewster, John Spanner, Sylvia Moys, Anthony Llewelyn-Davis, Alderman Alison Gowman and Alderman Alan Yarrow were all thanked for their contributions.

MATTERS ARISING

Old Freemen’s Association (OFA) Clubhouse (page 2) – A Governor, also the current President of the OFA, reported that the OFA had now completed a major refurbishment of the existing Clubhouse. He reported that the buildings electrics and plumbing had been improved and it had also been redecorated at a cost of approximately £60,000.

He suggested that Officers from the Corporation’s City Surveyor’s Department should visit the Clubhouse in the near future to view the improvements.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 4 March 2013 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the Finance, General Purposes and Estates Sub Committee meeting held on 4 March 2013 were received.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 4 March 2013 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the Academic and Education Sub Committee meeting held on 4 March 2013 were received.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to the appointment of the Board’s Bursary Committee and two sub-committees, their composition and terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That, the composition and terms of reference of the Board’s Bursary and two sub Committees be approved and that they be appointed as follows for 2013/14:

Bursary Committee

Stuart Fraser (as Chairman)

Deputy John Bennett (as Deputy Chairman)

Deputy Robin Eve

Vivienne Littlechild

Douglas Mobsby (co-opted)

Finance, General Purposes and Estates Sub Committee:

Stuart Fraser (as Chairman)

Deputy John Bennett (as Deputy Chairman)

Brian Harris

Vivienne Littlechild

Douglas Mobsby (co-opted)

Academic and Education Sub Committee:

Stuart Fraser (as Chairman)

Deputy John Bennett (as Deputy Chairman)

Vivienne Littlechild

Sir Clive Martin (co-opted)

Councillor Chris Townsend (co-opted)

Given that there were still some vacancies remaining on all three bodies, the Chairman suggested that the Town Clerk write to all Governors informing them of this and seeking additional expressions of interest.

To appoint a representative to the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools for the ensuing year.

The Board proceeded to appoint their AGBIS representative for 2013/14.

RESOLVED – That, as the only Governor expressing an interest in serving in this capacity, Mr Douglas Mobsby be re-appointed as the Board’s AGBIS representative for the ensuing year.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk proposing that two new co-opted Governors – Andrew McMillan and Gillian Yarrow be considered for appointment to the Board, both for a period of three years.

RESOLVED – That, both Andrew McMillan and Gillian Yarrow be appointed as co-opted Governors on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School, both for a term of three years, until Spring 2016.

To approve the Educational Trips and Visits Policy (copy attached).

The Board considered the School’s amended ‘Educational Trips and Visits Policy’.

RESOLVED – That, the City of London Freemen’s School ‘Educational Trips and Visits Policy’ be approved.

There were no questions.

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration.

To consider the resolution excluding the Public in respect of those items containing exempt information:-

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 Section 12A if the Local Government Act.

            Item No.                                                          Exemption Paragraph(s)

                 16                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 17                                                                             1, 3 & 4

                 18                                                                               3 & 4

                 19                                                                               1 & 3

                 20                                                                                  3

                 21                                                                              2, 3 & 4

                 22                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 23                                                                                   3

                 24                                                                                1 & 3

                 25                                                                                    -

                 26                                                                                    -

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 Section 12A if the Local Government Act.

            Item No.                                                          Exemption Paragraph(s)

                 16                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 17                                                                             1, 3 & 4

                 18                                                                               3 & 4

                 19                                                                               1 & 3

                 20                                                                                  3

                 21                                                                              2, 3 & 4

                 22                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 23                                                                                   3

                 24                                                                                1 & 3

                 25                                                                                    -

                 26                                                                                    -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2013 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2013 were approved and agreed as a correct record.

To receive the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 4 March 2013 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the Finance, General Purposes and Estates Sub Committee were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2013 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the Academic and Education Committee were received.

Report of the Chamberlain (copy attached).

The Board considered and approved a report of the Chamberlain regarding a new Foundation Scholarship Application.

Report of the Chamberlain (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain regarding the City of London’s financial contribution to the School.

Joint report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School and the City Surveyor (TO FOLLOW).

The Town Clerk reported that this report had been withdrawn from the agenda. Instead,

the City Surveyor was heard regarding progress on the Master Plan works to date.

Report of the Bursar of the City of London Freemen’s School (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Bursar relative to various School matters including Arrears of Fees, Lettings 2013/13, and a Development Office update.

Report of the Head of the Junior School, City of London Freemen’s School (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Head of the Junior School providing Governors with an overview of events in the Junior School since the last Board meeting.

Report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Headmaster relative to various School issues including Staffing Matters, Reports from Academic Departments and 11+ and 13+ Academic and Music Scholarships.

There were no questions raised in the non-public session.

The Headmaster highlighted plans for this afternoon’s English Department visit and also invited Governors to view progress on the Phase I Master Plan works following a buffet lunch.