Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Randall Anderson, Mark Bostock, Alderman Prem Goyal and Deputy Clare James.

There were no declarations.

To consider the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 14 February 2020.

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered a report of the Town Clerk outlining Outstanding Actions.

With regard to the proposal to merge the Schools’ Bursary Fund and Scholarships and Prizes Fund to maximise the efficient use of these funds, the Group Accountant advised that due consideration would need to be given to a number of factors, including the objectives of the two funds.  An update would be provided to the Finance and Estates Sub-Committee when this work had been completed.

RESOLVED, that the Outstanding Actions report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered a report of the Town Clerk outlining the Schedule of Standing Items.

RESOLVED, that the Schedule of Standing Items be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Governors considered a report of the Chamberlain presenting the draft annual report and financial statements 2019/20 of the City of London School for Girls’ Bursary Fund, incorporating the City of London School for Girls Scholarships and Prizes fund.

The Group Accountant advised that as the draft annual report and financial statements were for the 2019/20 financial year, they showed only a limited impact from the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the economic uncertainty arising from the pandemic had impacted the value of invested funds.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Governors considered a report of the Chamberlain outlining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on investment income in the School’s Bursary Fund Charity. 

Whilst investment income was projected to reduce by approximately 24% during the 2020/21 financial year,this made up only a small part of the overall income of the School’s Bursary Charity and was not anticipated to impact the financial viability of the charity. The City’s investment consultant was not advising the City’s charities to disinvest funds at this time as it was anticipated that the value of investments would recover over the short to medium term. 

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls.

Governors considered a report of the Headmistress providing an update on compliance matters at the City of London School for Girls.  

In response to a query by the Chairman, the Bursar confirmed that the majority of amber actions within the Fire Risk Assessment had been completed and that documentation was awaited to allow final sign-off of these actions.  Staff training in Fire Safety Policy and Procedures remained a key priority and if City of Corporation training could not be delivered within the identified timescale, the School would buy in a suitable external course for which a Governor suggested that a fixed date be identified.  The Governor underlined the need for the School to make the Internal Audit Team aware that all necessary work had been completed.

RESOLVED, that the current position be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other 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 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2020.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2020 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered a report of the Town Clerk outlining non-public Outstanding Actions.

Report of the Bursar of the City of London School for Girls.

Governors considered a report of the Headmistress regarding the management of arrears of fees at the City of London School for Girls.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar of the City of London School for Girls.

Governors considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar outlining the revenue outturn 2018/20 for the City of London School for Girls.

The City Surveyor to be heard.

Governors heard an update from the City Surveyor on City of London School for Girls’ Summer Works.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar of the City of London School for Girls.

Governors considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Bursar on the Financial Information Dashboard.

There were no questions.

There was no other urgent business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2020.

RESOLVED, that the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2020 be approved as an accurate record.