Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Shravan Joshi and Ian Seaton in advance of this meeting.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Chairman for the year ensuing.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Jamel Banda, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was therefore duly elected as Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

The Chairman thanked the Committee.

RESOLVED – That Jamel Banda be elected Chairman of the Committee of Aldermanic Almoners, Common Council Governors and Donation Governors of Christ's Hospital for the ensuing year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman for the year ensuing.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Nicholas Bensted-Smith, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was therefore duly elected as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That Nicholas Bensted-Smith be elected Deputy Chair of the Committee of Aldermanic Almoners, Common Council Governors and Donation Governors of Christ's Hospital for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 21 March 2024.

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 21 March 2024 were approved as an accurate record.

Report of Christ’s Hospital.

The Committee received a report of Christ’s Hospital regarding the Impact Report.

RESOLVED, that – the report and its contents be noted.

A Member asked why the safeguarding report was not being brought to the attention of the Committee on an annual basis.

The Chairman confirmed that a discussion was held at the last Christ’s Hospital committee meeting and it was agreed that the report wasn’t quite in line with the work of this committee. Whilst the Chairman was open to the idea of allowing for the safeguarding report to return back to Committee he also acknowledged that this may be an extra burden for those at Christ’s Hospital involved in its production.

The Director of Development informed the committee that due to the Covid-19 pandemic there was an increased focus on the safeguarding report and a habit was established to produce the report and supply it to Committee. However, upon reflection it was suggested that the report only be supplied to the Council of Christ’s Hospital instead and the Chairman of the Christ’s Hospital Committee with the Chairman each year with the view that the Chairman shall then update the Committee. The Chairman confirmed that he had seen the safeguarding report. A Member still suggested that the report should be made available to anybody who wasn’t on the council and the Director confirmed that any Committee Member was welcome to the Court of Governors meeting which is hosted in June each year; the session involved information concerning safeguarding.

The Chairman reminded Members of the event dates circulated by the Town Clerk after the last Committee Meeting and encouraged Members to attend any if not all events.

The Christ’s Hospital Partnerships Manager, responding to an action point raised at the last meeting, provided the Committee with the data requested regarding those school pupils who had attended the Math’s Challenge in the past who would eventually went onto study at the Christ’s Hospital School.

·       In 2022, there were 30 schools involved with 120 students in attendance and from this number 22 enquiries were made, 4 registered with 1 student joining Christ’s Hospital in September 2023.

·       In 2023, there were 31 schools involved with 125 students in attendance and from this number 19 enquiries were made, 5 registered with 1 student joining Christ’s Hospital in September 2024.

·       In 2024, 35 schools involved with 140 students and the Partnerships Manager were unsure of enquiries at the time of the meeting.

The Chairman asked why school pupil’s interest in the school seemed to decline soon after registering. The Director informed the Committee that some pupils noticed that the boarding school environment did not suit them with most opting to join a local day school situated within London, however he maintained hope that in the year 2025 with Christ’s Hospital hosting a double Maths Challenge session (morning and afternoon) that the number of children joining Christ’s Hospital would increase. Also, claiming that inviting more people to visit Christ’s Hospital would be beneficial to this cause.

MOTION - 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.

RESOLVED – That, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they relate to functions of the Court of Common Council which are not subject to the provisions of Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2024.

RESOLVED, that - The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2024 be approved as a correct record.

There were no questions.

There was one non-public item of urgent business.