Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman William Russell, Michael Hoffman, Paul Hughes, Jeremy Mayhew and Kathryn McDowell

Nicy Roberts declared a personal interest as Chairman of the Friends of the

Centre for Young Musicians and because her daughter played in the LSSO

(part of the Centre for Young Musicians).

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2014.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2014, were approved as a correct record.

To receive the public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 3^rd November 2014.

The public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 3^rd November 2014, were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 4^th November 2014.

The public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 4^th November 2014, were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Governance & Effectiveness Board held on the 7^th November 2014.

Members were advised that the public minutes of the Governance & Effectiveness Board would be submitted to the next meeting of the Board of Governors.  

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board received a verbal report by the Principal.

The Principal explained that the School continued to look at ways to make savings and were looking at the spaces they occupied to consider the rationale for retaining them.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board received a report of the Principal which set out the activities of the Board during the last academic year.

A discussion took place on the quality of courses and satisfaction levels of pupils. In response to a Member’s question, Officers explained that the decrease in student satisfaction corresponded with Students requested value for money from there course.

RECEIVED.  

Report of the Vice Principal and Director of Academic Affairs

The Board considered a report of the Vice Principal and Director of Academic Affairs on the Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy 2014-18. The Strategy sought to build on the previous work undertaken in this area, setting out an ambitious agenda for developing this area of activity in the School.

RESOLVED – That the report be agreed. 

Reports of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered which confirmed that the School had met its obligations to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) under the Financial Memorandum  thus enabling HEFCE  to fulfil its responsibility as principal regulator.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

A report of the Principal outlined the Accounts Direction for 2014 – 2015 relating to the financial accounts for the year ended 31 July. HEFCE and its auditors rely on the statements to satisfy themselves that public funds were being used for the purpose for which they were provided.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

Arreport of the Head of Internal Audit regarding the School’s internal audit work which is in accordance with the HEFCE Code of Practice for Accountability and Audit. The Board were asked to approve the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

This item has been withdrawn.

Members were advised that the report had been withdrawn by the Town Clerk.

NOTED.

Presentation by the Student Union President.

The Student Union President gave a presentation to the Board regarding the student experience. Governors were informed that students considered their relationship with stuff fulfilling and were content with the new development at Milton Court. 

The Board were informed that the Student Union was changing its interests focus by forming new societies based on interest within the School and was looking to promote itself through mobile applications and the internet. The result of a travel survey revealed most students lived in zone 1-3.

Student accommodation remained a big concern especially since the School was expanding. In response to the concern regarding the availability of student accommodation, officers informed the Board that this was being explored.

The Chairman thanked the Student Union President for the update.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was none.

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 Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2014.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2014, were approved as a correct record.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 3^rd November 2014.

The non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 3^rd November 2014, were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 4^th November 2014.

The non-public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 4^th November 2014, were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Governance & Effectiveness Board held on the 7^th November 2014.

Members were informed that the non-public minutes of the Governance & Effectiveness Board would be submitted to the next meeting.

Reports of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer

A report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer was considered regarding the reports and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2014.

RESOLVED – That the audited financial statements be approved.

A report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer was received regarding the Audit and Risk Sub-Committee’s Annual report for the year ending 31 July 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer

A report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer was considered regarding the Audit Committee’s review of Economy, Effectiveness and Efficiency in the School.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved subject to the inclusion of the Museum of London. 

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board received a report of the Principal regarding the budget shortfall.

RESOLVED – That the savings proposal be approved.

Reports of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer, regarding the School Finance Review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board considered a report of the Principal detailing the Service Based Review proposals.

RESOLVED- That the report be agreed.

There were no questions.

There was one item of urgent business regarding Guildhall School Enterprise Update on the 5 year plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved.

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

The Board considered a report of the Principal regarding the proposed amendments to the School’s Instruments and Articles of Government and to the Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved subject to approval by the Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED: With two hours having elapsed since the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order No. 40 the Board agreed at this point to extend the meeting by up to thirty minutes.