Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Stuart Fraser (ex-officio), Alderman David Graves and Professor Whitehouse.

There were no declarations of interest.

Order of the Common Council of 1 May 2014, appointing, the Board and setting its terms of reference.

The Board received the Order of the Court of Common Council, 1 May 2014, appointing the Board of Governors of the City of London School for 2014/15 and setting its terms of reference.

To elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 29

The Board 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 Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, being the only Governor expressing willingness to serve as Chairman, was duly re-elected for the ensuing year.

Deputy Shilson took the Chair and thanked Governors for their continued support.

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 read a list of those Governors eligible to stand and Mr Ian Seaton, being the only Governor expressing willingness to serve as Deputy Chairman, was duly elected for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 24 February 2014

The public minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2014 were considered and approved as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

The Chairman welcomed the new Head of the City of London School and thanked the previously acting Headmaster for all his hard work. The Chairman also thanked Lord Levene for finding the time to attend the Board for Governors meeting. Mr Ian Hughes, Assistant Highways Director and Melanie Charalambous, Principal Environmental Enhancement Officer from the Department of the Built Environment were also thanked by the Chairman for their attendance.

Scheme of Delegations

The Chairman confirmed to the Board that the amendments made to the Scheme of Delegations at the February 2014 Board of Governors meeting was passed on to the appropriate Corporation Officers.

Cleaning Standards at the City of London School

Governors discussed the ongoing issues with the cleaning standards at the City of London School since the initial report received by Governors on 2 December 2013.

The Chairman remarked that senior Officers at the Corporation and at the School had put a lot of time and effort into monitoring the cleaning standards and resolving any further issues and he believed that it was not an appropriate use of the staff’s time. The Director of Finance informed the Board that the City had begun reviewing its Corporate Cleaning Contract and he felt that going forward from the review it was vital to negotiate a new contract on the right basis. Following this information a number of Governors expressed concern that the City Corporation seemed to take the view that all cleaning contracts across the City should be the same. Members said that a School required a different standard of cleaning compared to office buildings and that this should be noted by Officers. A Member also asked that the

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 24 February 2014.

The Board of Governors received the 24 February 2014 public minutes of the Bursary Committee of the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

RESOLVED – That the Board note the minutes of the Bursary Committee held on 24 February 2014.

To appoint the Bursary Committee for the year ensuing – to comprise the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board and up to five other Governors.

            THE BURSARY COMMITTEE IN 2013/2014 COMPRISED:

Dr Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson, Deputy  (Chairman) 

Ian Christopher Norman Seaton  (Deputy Chairman) 

The Revd Stephen Decatur Haines MA, Deputy   

Charles Edward Lord OBE JP   

Joyce Caruthers Nash OBE, Deputy   

Dame Mary Richardson  (External Member) 

James Michael Douglas Thomson Deputy 

The Town Clerk reminded the Board that the Bursary Committee could comprise the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board and up to five other Governors.

The Board proceeded to appoint their Bursary Committee for 2014/15.

RESOLVED - that the following Governors be appointed to the Bursary Committee for the ensuing year:

Deputy Dr. Giles Shilson (Chairman)

Mr Ian Seaton (Deputy Chairman)

Deputy Joyce Nash

Ms Sylvia Moys

Deputy the Reverend Stephen Haines

Dame Mary Richardson

Deputy James Thomson

To appoint a Reference Sub-Committee to consider arrears of School fees, sabbatical leave and Estimates (including fee increases and other such matters as the Board may decide).

The Reference Sub-Committee comprises of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board and up to five other Governors.

            THE REFERENCE SUB-COMMITTEE IN 2013/2014 COMPRISED:

            Dr Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson, Deputy (Chairman) 

Ian Christopher Norman Seaton (Deputy Chairman) 

The Revd Stephen Decatur Haines MA, Deputy   

Charles Edward Lord OBE JP   

Joyce Caruthers Nash OBE, Deputy   

Dame Mary Richardson (External Member) 

James Michael Douglas Thomson Deputy   

The Town Clerk reminded Governors that the Reference Sub Committee could consist of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board and up to five other Governors.

The Board proceeded to appoint their Reference Sub Committee for 2014/15.

RESOLVED - that the following Governors be appointed to the Reference Sub Committee for the ensuing year:

Deputy Dr. Giles Shilson (Chairman)

Mr Ian Seaton (Deputy Chairman)

Deputy Joyce Nash

Ms Sylvia Moys

Deputy the Reverend Stephen Haines

Mr Edward Lord

Deputy James Thomson

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 2014/15.

RESOLVED – That, Edward Lord be re-appointed as the Board’s AGBIS representative for the ensuing year.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

The Board of Governors received a report of the Head of the City of London School updating Governors on the Ark Bentworth Primary Academy and Stepney Green Outreach projects.

The Head of the City of London School informed Governors of the recent creation of the Education Board and the Education Strategy. The Head explained that the three City Schools and the sponsored academies planned to work collectively on outreach projects and although she supported the continued outreach work of the City and the City of London School she suggested that the Board consider the impact on staff time. The Deputy Chairmen also informed the Board that he had been appointed to the Education Board.

The discussion was concluded by the Chairman asking for a Governor to volunteer to attend the Ark Bentworth Primary Academy Prize Day. The Board were informed that the Prize Day would be held on 9 July from 2PM. The Chairman asked for all Governors who wished to represent the Board and give a speech at the Prize speak to the Second Master for more information.

RESOLVED - That, the Board note the update of the Ark Bentworth Primary Academy and Stepney Green Outreach projects.

Report of the Head of the City of London School

The Board considered a report of the Head of the City of London School relative to various School issues such as the cleaning contract update, curriculum matters and scholarships. A Governor also mentioned the success of the LSSO Concert held 29 April 2014 for which 2 School pupils were in the orchestra, the Governor also asked the Board to note the success of the production of Private Peaceful and the Second Master distributed copies o the programme. The Chairman congratulated the School on the breadth of the City of London School pupil’s cultural achievements particularly in music and theatre.

City of London Bursary Trust Gala Dinner 10 June 2014

The Director of Finance updated the Board on the outcome of the independent City of London School Bursary Trust fundraising Gala Dinner. The Dinner was held at the Tate Modern and raised in excess of £300,000 toward the Schools Bursary Trust. The Chairman congratulated the School and Trustees on the success of the event and expressed his thanks to all those who donated to the Bursary Fund.

Millennium Bridge Area Works Summer 2014

With regards to the Millennium Bridge Area Works the Second Master introduced the Assistant Highways Director and the Principal Environmental Enhancement Officer from the Department of the Built Environment to the Board of Governors. The Assistant Highways Director informed the Board that work on the Millennium Bridge Area would commence in July 2014 once the School had closed for the summer. In relation to the work programme the Assistant Highways Director explained that the possibility of a contaminated land issue had been raised and Officers in the Built Environment would wait for a more detailed report commissioned by a specialised. Once the results of the report had been received there was a possibility that part of the scheme

There were no questions on matters relating to the work of the Board.

There was no urgent business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business 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)

                16                                                                               1, 3 & 4

                17                                                                               1 & 3

                18                                                                               3

                19                                                                               1, 2 & 3

                20                                                                               1, 2 & 3

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2014.

Members asked for minutes of the Board of governors meeting dated 24 February 2014 be amended to reflect the correct spelling of the appointed Geographer, Alice Low previously from Burntwood School.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2014 were considered and approved as a correct record.

To receive the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 24 February 2014.

The Board of Governors received the non-public minutes of the Bursary Committee held on Monday 24 February 2014.

Report of Town Clerk.

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk Department detailing the decisions taken under delegated authority since the last meeting of the Board on Monday 23 February 2014.

Non-public report of the Head of the City of London School

The Board considered a non-public report of the Head of the City of London School relevant to various School matters.

Report of the Head of the City of London School (to follow).

The Board received, for information, a non-public report summarising the School’s involvement in the latest stage of the City of London Corporation’s Service Basted Review.

There were no non-public questions.

The Chairman congratulated Deputy Dove on his recent award of an OBE.