Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Michael Bramwell, Sheriff and Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, Adam Richardson, Cllr Chris Townsend and Gillian Yarrow.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2014.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 November 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors noted a report of the Town Clerk which outlined the City Corporation’s obligations in relation to disclosure and barring service requirements for chairmen and governors on boards of the City’s independent schools, academies and its one maintained school.

The Chairman encouraged those governors who had not yet received their DBS certificates to contact the HR Section of the Town Clerk’s Department who would be able to assist them to do so. The Chairman undertook to request the Director of HR to submit a short report to the next meeting providing guidance in simple terms on the steps to be taken to obtain the necessary clearance and to request that he receive a report from the Director on the situation on a regular basis.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Board received a report of the Chamberlain which introduced the new Risk Management Strategy, set out the progress made on its implementation and reported that the School’s risk review by Members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee was scheduled to take place on 3 November 2015.

In answer to a Governor’s question the Chamberlain reported that it was envisaged that the new system would be ready to use in departments by mid-March 2015.

1) Governors visits to the School

In answer to a Governor’s question, the Chairman stated that whilst most Governors felt that the existing situation whereby they be given the opportunity to attend lessons after Board meetings and Sub Committee meetings should continue, he encouraged Governors to visit lessons on other occasion when convenient to them and the School. It was noted that a register was kept of all Governors visits to the School.

The Headmaster confirmed that the School encouraged and facilitated such visits both and ensured that the Governors visited a range of subjects and age groups. He undertook to submit to the Board at its next meeting a plan of subject areas to be visited based around the Governors meetings.

2) Safeguarding training

In answer to a Governor’s question, the Headmaster encouraged Governors to attend one of the Safeguarding training sessions which were being provided by the Department of Community and Children’s Services. For the dates available, the Governors were reminded that they had been send an email on the subject by the Clerk the previous week.

There were no urgent items.

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 that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

Item nos.                   Para no.

9-13 & 15                    3

14 & 16                        1 & 2   

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2014.

The non-public minutes of the meeting, held on 25 November 2014, were considered and approved as a correct record.

Joint report of the Chamberlain, the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School and the City Surveyor. (TO FOLLOW)

The Board considered and approved a joint report of the Chamberlain, the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School and the City Surveyor providing the annual updated projection of the cost of works to be met from the Repairs, Maintenance, Improvements and Major Works Fund over the next 10 years.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School. (TO FOLLOW)

The Board considered and approved a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School presenting the proposed 2015/16 revenue budget for review and subsequent submission to the Finance Committee.

Report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School.

The Board received a report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School relative to various School matters including pupils’ successes and experiences and staffing matters.

Report of the Bursar of the City of London Freemen’s School.

The Board received a report of the Bursar regarding various issues including the Master-plan, arrears of fees, admissions, lettings and marketing events.

Report of the Head of the Junior School, City of London Freemen’s School.

The Board received a report of the Head of the Junior School providing Governors with an overview of events in the Junior School since the last Board meeting.

There were no questions.

The Chairman agreed that the following items should be considered as urgent items and the Committee agreed that they be considered whilst the public were excluded.

1) MASTER PLAN & SWIMMING POOL REPLACEMENT – GATEWAY 4C DETAILED DESIGN

The Board considered and approved a report of the Headmaster and the City Surveyor concerning the Master-plan for the School and the replacement of the swimming pool.

SUMMARY OF GOVERNORS ONLY ITEM

2) TEACHERS PAY AWARD PROCESS AND THE JCC

The Board considered and approved a verbal report of the Director HR concerning the Teachers’ Pay Award process and the membership of the JCC.