Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

The Chair reported that Deputy Edward Lord had stepped down as the Policy & Resources Committee nominated Sponsor Trustee and that a replacement would be sought in due course.  The Board thanked Deputy Lord for their contribution in supporting the work of the Board.

There were no declarations.

There were no interests to update.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2021.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 19March 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Clerk regarding the Public Outstanding Actions for July 2021.

The Chairman flagged that the presentation under this item was in respect of Shoreditch Park (not City Academy Hackney).

It was suggested that school tours could be arranged and that a letter of thanks be sent to stakeholders thanking them for their contributions and input.  It was also suggested that the presentation could be given at the next Board meeting and that future board meetings could be held in schools

RESOLVED –

1.         That the report be received.

2.         That Officers explore scope for roving Board/Committee meetings at Trust Schools.

To receive the public minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 1st July 2021.

RESOLVED –That the Board notes that the public minutes and non-public summary of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 1 July 2021 will be received at the next Board meeting.

To receive the public minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 1st July 2021.

That the Board notes that that the public minutes and non-public summary of the Finance & Operations Committee meeting held on 1 July 2021 will be received at the next Board meeting.

To receive the minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 29 April 2021.

RESOLVED -That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 29 April 2021 be received.

Report of the Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Clerk regarding the Schedule of Board and Committee Meetings for the 2021/22 Academic Year.

It was suggested that future meetings should be hybrid and the Chait recommended that arrangement were reviewed following the next virtual meeting of the Board on 8^th September 2021.

RESOLVED - That the meeting dates for 2021/22 be noted and arrangements for virtual/hybrid/physical meetings reviewed after the Board meeting on 8^th September 2021.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Financial Officer concerning Policies for the City of London Academies Trust.  These policies were reviewed periodically to ensure they remained appropriate for the Trust’s current operations and provide consistency across the Trust wherever possible.   

Officers highlighted that further policy review would take place in the autumn to reflect new guidance on keeping children safe.  In response to questions and comments from Members regarding the complaints procedure, Officers advised that it was rare for complaints to progress beyond Stage 3 and data would be examined to identify any underlying trends and provide assurances that the procedures were working effectively.

A Member flagged the low numbers of complaints in respect of NCS and the responsibility of LGBs to monitor complaints in detail.

RESOLVED – That the Trust Complaints Procedure be approved.

There were no questions.

The Chairman expressed thanks to schools and staff for their efforts, commitment and flexibility during an extraordinary academic year and these sentiments were echoed by the Board.

MOTION – That the public be excluded for the remaining items of business as they are likely to involve discussion on matters deemed commercially sensitive to the City of London Academies Trust.

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the remaining items of business which relate to the identity of individuals or is commercially sensitive.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2021.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Clerk regarding the Non-Public Outstanding Actions for July 2021.

The Board noted an update on the Actions taken under Delegated Authority for July 2021.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 1st July 2021.

That the Board noted that the non-public minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 1 July 2021 will be received at the next Board meeting.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Finance and Operations Committee meeting held on 1st July 2021.

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The Board noted that that the non-public minutes of the Finance & Operations Committee meeting held on 1 July 2021 will be received at the next Board meeting.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 29 April 2021.

The non-public minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 29 April 2021 were received.

To receive the minutes of the Company Members AGM held on 25 March 2021.

The non-public minutes of the Company Members AGM held on 25 March 2021 were received.

Report of the Clerk.

The Board considered a report of the Clerk regarding the Appointments to Local Governing Bodies.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered an Executive Summary report from of the Chief Executive Officer outlining key priorities and information relevant to the Board’s decision making.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Trustees considered an update report of the Chief Financial Officer highlighting key financial and operational issues for the Trust.

Report of the Director of Information and Communication Technology.

Trustees considered an update report of the Director of Information Communication and Technology.

Report of the Director of Estates and Facilities Management.

Trustees considered an update report of the Director of Estates and Facilities Management.

Report of the Human Resources Director.

Trustees considered an update report of the Human Resources Director.

Report of the Chief Standards Officer.

Trustees considered an update report of the Chief Standards Officer.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer regarding the CoLAT Apprenticeship Academy Leadership and Operational Monitoring.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

The Board received an update from the Chief Executive Officer regarding the CoLAT Sixth Form Collegiate.

There were no non-public questions.

There was no other non-public business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2021.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.