Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Mary Ireland.

There were no declarations.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the annual review of the Governance Committee’s Terms of Reference and the following point was made:

• A Governor observed that the Committee’s Terms of Reference were currently focused on its role in Governor skills and appointments but suggested it should also articulate the Committee’s role in supporting the effectiveness of the Board of Governors.  The Chairman confirmed that it was planned to develop the Terms of Reference over time as the direction of the Governance Committee became more defined.  The Headmistress further highlighted the importance of reflection and self-review in developing the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED – that:

·         The Terms of Reference of the Governance Committee be approved for submission to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls for final approval;

·         The Committee’s frequency of meetings be noted; and,

·         The Committee undertake a formal review of the effectiveness of its Terms of Reference in Spring 2022.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the annual review of the Board of Governors’ Terms of Reference and the following points were made:

• The Terms of Reference and composition of the Board of Governors should be considered in light of the recommendations of the Tomlinson Review of education funding and the Lisvaine Review of the governance of the City of London Corporation.  For the 2021/22 municipal year, the Governance Committee of the Board of Governors of the City of London School had recommended no changes be made whilst work was underway to review the implications of the Tomlinson and Lisvaine Reviews.  In contrast, the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School had requested the Policy and Resources Committee and Court of Common Council approve a reduction in its overall membership to eight Common Councillor Governors and six Co-opted Governors, which was in part a response to existing Governor vacancies.

• In discussion, the Chairman suggested no changes be recommended for the Terms of Reference and composition of the Board of Governors for the 2021/22 municipal year until more was known about the implications of the Tomlinson and Lisvaine Reviews.  The implications of any changes to the School’s governance structure would need to be considered in relation to new appointments or reappointments during the year, particularly if the composition of the Board of Governors was likely to change in the short to medium term. The Headmistress further highlighted the need to ensure the Board of Governors had the necessary skills in place to meet the challenges arising from anticipated changes in governance.  The Deputy Chairman noted the growing emphasis on partnership working across the City of London Corporation’s family of schools and suggested that consideration be given to how these links could be

There were no questions.

There was no other 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.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of the City of London School for Girls’ Governor Skills Audit 2020/21.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Headmistress presenting the final report of the Race Equality Review.

There were no questions.

There was one item of urgent business.