Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Roger Chadwick, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Richard Regan, and Richard Sermon.

Sheriff & Alderman William Russell declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 11 by virtue of being a Director of Knightsbridge Schools International.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 27 June 2016.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 27 June 2016 be approved.

Matters Arising

The Chairman advised that more detail regarding safeguarding matters and procedures would be provided in future minutes. She also added that discussions would be held at the autumn Chair of Governors meeting in November regarding minimum training for City of London School Governors.

To note the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 12 July 2016.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Sub-Committee held on 12 July 2016 be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Board considered a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmistress that provided the draft Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2016 of The City of London School for Girls Bursary Fund (charity 1), incorporating The City of London School for Girls Scholarships & Prizes Fund (charity 2), for information and sought approval to a drawdown of Charities Pool Unites to be made to generate cash.

The Bursar added that there had been a slight dip in the bursary fund, although a similar amount of bursaries were being offered compared to previous years with 58 being awarded in 2014/15 and 63 awarded in 2015/16. The dip was partly due to Livery Companies scaling back donations but it was hoped that this would improve from the 17/18 academic year. Discussions around encouraging more bursary donations from external donators would be had at the next meeting of the 125^th Anniversary Working Group in November 2016. A Member noted that the number of bursary awards could not increase further at the current rate as the level of bursary commitments could not exceed income. The Deputy Chairman added that the Financial Investment Board would be reviewing the levels of funding provided from the City Corporation’s investment pool soon.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the draft Annual Report and Financial Statements of The City of London School for Girls Bursary Fund incorporating The City of London School for Girls Scholarships and Prizes Fund for the year ended 31 March 2016 be noted;

b)    a drawdown of Charities Pool Units to be made when deemed necessary by the Chamberlain to generate cash of £416,000 to fund a projected net expenditure in 2016/17 of £107,000, and to add £309,000 to the charity’s ‘working cash balance’, which would increase it from £66,011 as

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmistress.

The Board received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Headmistress that advised Governors of the net income before transfers to reserves for 2015/16, which was £803,000 compared to a budgeted position of £881,000 therefore representing a reduction in net income of £78,000 / 9%. It was noted that the level of City Support would be monitored and that previous years’ income and expenditure would be added to future reports of this kind for comparison.

RESOLVED – That the revenue outturn report for 2015/16 be noted.

Report of the Headmistress.

The Board received report of the Headmistress that provided Governors with details of forthcoming events, lettings, health and safety matters, and a building projects summary. In response to a Governor’s request, the Headmistress advised that a section regarding safeguarding matters would be added as a standing item to all future Headmistress’ reports.

RESOLVED – That the Headmistress’ report be noted.

In response to a Governor’s question, the Headmistress advised that an Annual Work Programme for the Board of Governors would be provided in future.

There were no items of 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 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2016.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2016 be approved.

To note the draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2016.

To receive a presentation from Rob Holroyd of RSAcademics.

The Board received a report of the Headmistress and a presentation from RSAcademics regarding international expansion opportunities for the City of London School for Girls.

To receive a presentation regarding the August 2016 exam results.

The Board received a presentation from the Deputy Head (Academic) that provided an analysis of the 2016 Exam results.

RESOLVED – That the 2016 Exam results be noted.

Report of the Headmistress.

The Board considered a report of the Headmistress that provided information regarding some revised School policies, exam results, safeguarding matters, international links, staffing matters, arrears, and the refurbishment programme, amongst other things.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.