Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Bennett (ex-officio), Ray Catt, Deputy Dennis Cotgrove, Bob Duffield, Alderman David Graves, Henrika Priest, Richard Sermon (co-opted), Deputy Dr. Giles Shilson (ex-officio) and Deputy Sir Michael Snyder.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 15 June 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 15 June 2012 were approved and agreed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

Appointment of Co-opted Governor (page 4) – The Chairman reported that he and the Headmistress were still progressing this matter and were keen to attract another ‘education specialist’ to the Board. He asked that any Governors with any recommendations contact him directly.

Meeting with Barbican Residents (page 5) – The Chairman reported that, unfortunately, the School had been unable to change the colour of the netting surrounding the All Weather Playing Surface.

Review of the Governance Arrangements Implemented in 2011 (page 6) – The Chairman reported that the views of this Board had been fed into the Post Implementation Governance Review Working Party. Governors were informed that a report from the Working Party would be released in the near future.

Report of the Chamberlain (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain providing Governors with a copy of the 2011/12 Report and Financial Statements for the City of London School for Girls Bursary Fund incorporating the City of London School for Girls Scholarships & Prizes Fund.

The Chamberlain reminded Governors that the Charities Review had taken place over the past two years and that these accounts now presented, for the first time, the merged accounts of the School’s Bursary Fund and its Scholarship and Prizes Fund.

Governors were informed that funds had increased due to the closure of the School’s Centenary Fund and the transfer of funds from this to the City of London School for Girls Bursary Fund.

In terms of expenditure, the Chamberlain reported that 81 bursary awards and 5 scholarships and prizes had been funded in 2011/12.

The Chamberlain went on to report that the amount of cash ‘at bank and in hand’ had decreased by £1.4million and explained that this was largely due to a decision taken by this Board to invest £1,279,000 in the City’s Charities Pool in February 2011.

The Chairman highlighted that the School was keen to attract more money for its Bursary Fund so that it could continue to make awards on a similar level in future years.

RECEIVED.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls (copy attached).

The Board received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls comparing the 2011/12 revenue outturn for the City of London School for Girls with the final agreed budget for the year.

The Chamberlain reported that there had been a reduction in net income of £93,000 (3.1%) in 2011/12 which was largely attributable to an increase in temporary staff costs to cover staff sickness.

The Chamberlain went on to highlight a summary of the School’s funds and pointed out that in total these had increased from £3.2 million to £3.9 million during the year.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Headmistress relative to various School issues including Lettings, Health and Safety, Destinations of 2012 Leavers and meetings with Barbican Residents.

Destinations of the 2012 Leavers

In response to a question, the Headmistress reported that a large number of girls had gone on to science degrees this year, particularly in areas such as engineering and bio-chemistry.

2012 Gap Years

In response to questions, the Headmistress reported that all girls were encouraged to apply for University places and to then defer entry if a Gap Year opportunity were to arise. The Headmistress went on to report that there were not currently a large number of girls who chose to take this option.

Review of City Charities

The Headmistress asked that, following the Charities Review, she be permitted to accept donations to both the Bursary Fund and the Scholarships and Prizes Fund on behalf of the Trustee.

Governors were supportive of this recommendation.

RESOLVED – That, the Headmistress be allowed to accept donations to Charity 1, the City of London School for Girls Bursary Fund (276251) and Charity 2, the City of London School for Girls Scholarships and Prizes Fund (276251-5) on behalf of the Trustee (“The body corporate known as The City of London Corporation acting through the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls”).

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

            Item No.                                                          Exemption Paragraph(s)

                 10                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 11                                                                               1 & 2

                 12                                                                               1 & 2

                 13                                                                                  3

                 14                                                                                   -

                 15                                                                                   -

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)

                 10                                                                           1, 2, 3 & 4

                 11                                                                               1 & 2

                 12                                                                               1 & 2

                 13                                                                                  3

                 14                                                                                   -

                 15                                                                                   -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2012 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes of the meeting held 15 June 2012 were approved and agreed as a correct record.

The Schools Director of Studies, Ena Harrop, delivered a presentation on this year’s Public Examination Results.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls (copy attached).

The Board received a non-public report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

            Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls (copy attached).

The Board considered and approved a report of the Headmistress setting out a Detailed Options Appraisal – Gateway 4 – for City of London School for Girls Accommodation.

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

The Chairman raised issues relating to the forthcoming Prize Day and Chairman’s Dinner.