Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman Keaveny, Deputy Edward Lord, Deputy James Thomson, Alexander Barr, and Ronel Lehmann.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 09 June 2021.

The Chairman welcomed Arnold Flanagan (Bursar) and Mark Wardrop (Senior Deputy Head) to the Board, as well as the three new Governors: Deputy Robert Merrett, Timi Dorgu, and David Woodgate.

The Board expressed their gratitude to former Board Member and former pupil Lord Levene of Portsoken for his 35-year service as a Governor of the School. A tribute was read out by Mr Seaton citing Lord Levene’s progression to Lord Mayor, his promotion of the School, and the consequent strengthening of the invaluable links between the School, the Corporation and the Livery companies. Lord Levene’s “constant source of sound advice”, “corporate memory”, “natural air of authority”, and “expeditious and determined manner” were cited as invaluable commodities to the School’s success and to its recognition as being in the “premier division of schools in London” alongside its sister school the City of London School for Girls. The tribute also recalled his financial support to the Levene Learning Centre that opened in 2017, as well as his acceptance of the position of Citizen Emeritus as a tribute to his contributions.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes of the meeting held on 09 June 2021 be approved as an accurate record of that meeting.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the most recent Academic & Education Committee meeting of 15 September 2021.

RESOLVED, that the draft public minutes of the Academic & Education Sub-Committee meeting of 15 September 2021 be received.

To receive the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Bursary Committee meeting of 29 September 2021.

RESOLVED, that the draft public minutes of the Bursary Sub-Committee of the meeting held on 29 September 2021 be received.

Report of the Head of City of London School.

Governors received a report of the Head.

Governors noted that since the publication of the Head’s report, pupils have voted to support the charity PAPYRUS.

RESOLVED, that the report be received.

Report of The Chamberlain.

Governors received a report from The Chamberlain ‘Draft Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020/21 of the School’s charity CLS Bursary and Awards Fund’.

It was suggested that there might be merit in exploring whether there was scope for diversifying the risk within the investment policy, and in exploring whether the Charities Pool was the best place for the funds to be held.

Governors noted that the statement of financial activities (page 40 of the agenda pack) showed an improved rate of return in 2020/21 compared to the previous financial period, that the Charities Pool had outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index over a five-year period, and that there was merit in pooling the funds.  Governors also noted that a substantial fee reduction had been obtained from the fund manager (Artemis) and that the issue of widening of the mandate away from the FTSE was being kept under review.  

RESOLVED, that the report be received.

There were no questions.

The Head apologised for the short notice in respect of the cancellation of the prize day due to an ISI inspection. Governors were advised that the re-scheduled prize day would take place either on Tuesday 14 December 2021, or on Monday 24 January 2022.

No other business was raised.

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.

To approve the non-public minutes of the Board of Governors’ meeting held on 09 June 2021.

Governors considered the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 09 June 2021.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Bursary Committee meeting of 29 September 2021.

Governors received the draft non-public minutes of the meeting of the Bursary committee held on 29 September 2021.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the most recent meeting of the Academic & Education Committee of 15 September 2021.

Governors received the draft non-public minutes of the meeting of the Academic & Education Committee of 15 September 2021.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors received a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Board’s non-public outstanding actions.

Report of the Head.

Governors received a non-public report of the Head.

Report of the Head.

To approve the policies set out in the report.

Governors considered the report of the Head on Compliance.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Bursar.

Governors received a joint report of the Bursar and The Chamberlain.

Joint report of The Chamberlain and the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Governors received a joint report of The Chamberlain and the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Bursar.

Governors received a report of the Bursar.

Report of the Head of City Junior School.

Governors received a report of the Head of City Junior School.

Report of the Head.

Governors received the report of the Head on the Strategic Implementation Plan.

To receive the report of action taken since the last meeting.

Governors received a report of the Town Clerk on actions taken since the last meeting.

There were no questions.

No other business was raised.

To approve the confidential minutes of the meeting of the Board of Governors of 09 June 2021.

Governors considered the draft confidential minutes of the meeting of 09 June 2021.

Report of the Head.

Governors received the report of the Head ‘Compliance: complaints analysis’.

Report of the Bursar.

Governors received the report of the Bursar.

Report of the Bursar.

Governors received the report of the Bursar.

Report of the Head.

Governors received the report of the Head.