Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

The Chairman led the Board in welcoming Edward Benzecry and Tijs Broeke who had recently been appointed Trustees of the City of London Academies Trust to the meeting.

Ann Holmes declared that she was the Chair of the Board of Governors of the City of London Primary Academy Islington.

Tijs Broeke declared that he was a member of the Education Board and a Governor of the City Academy Hackney, which was sponsored by the City of London Corporation.

Deputy Clare James declared that she was the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 21

March 2019.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the minutes of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 4 July 2019.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 4 July 2019 be received.

To receive the minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019 be received.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Financial Officer presenting updated City of London Academies Trust (CoLAT) finance policies and the following points were made:

·         A number of minor changes had been made to the CoLAT finance policies which were reviewed in detail at the meeting of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee on 4 July 2019, where the Committee resolved to recommend the updated policies to the Board for formal approval. 

·         The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee had requested that further amendments be made to the Procurement and Tendering Policy to outline opening procedures for electronic tenders, and this was agreed by the Board.

·         The proposed updated finance policies incorporated all new requirements outlined within the Academies Financial Handbook 2019, including increased instruction on internal scrutiny/internal audit which was in line with the Trust’s existing approach.

RESOLVED, that Trustees:

·         Approve the following updated policies:

·         Finance Policy;

·         Gifts and Hospitality Policy;

·         Charging and Remissions Policy;

·         Reserves Policy; and,

·         Investment Policy.

·         Approve the Procurement and Tendering Policy. subject to further amendments being made to outline Tender Opening Procedures for electronic tenders.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

Report of the Director of Academy Development.

Trustees considered an update of the Director of Academy Development on the Academies Development Programme.

RESOLVED, that the update be noted.

RESOLVED, that the public be excluded from the following items of business.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 4 July 2019.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting held on 4 July 2019 be received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the Standards and Accountability Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019 be received.

Trustees considered a report of the Clerk setting out outstanding actions from previous meetings.

Report of the Clerk.

Trustees considered a report of the Town Clerk requesting approval for appointments to the Local Governing Bodies of the City of London Primary Academy Islington and City of London Academy Southwark.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered an Executive Summary of the Chief Executive Officer.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Trustees considered an update report of the Chief Financial Officer.

Report of the Human Resources Director.

Trustees considered an update report of the Human Resources Director.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting the Trust Scheme of Delegation 2019-20.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting the CoLAT Schools Safeguarding Monitoring Update.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting the IMPACT Visits – Summer Term Summaries.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting Trust School’s predicted grades for GCSE and A Level for the 2018-19 academic year.

Report of the Director of Information and Communications Technology.

Trustees considered an update report of the Director of Information Communication Technology which included the ICT Acceptable Use Policy for Staff, Governors and Volunteers.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting the Local Governing Body Audit Tool.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer.

Trustees considered a report of the Chief Executive Officer outlining the findings of a review of the effectiveness of the executive governance arrangements across the Southwark schools.

There were no non-public questions.

There was one item of other business.

Report of Director of Academy Development.

Trustees considered a report of the Director of Academy Development presenting the City of London Primary Academy Islington Build progress.