Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Deputy Chairman, Gareth Higgins, Shreela Ghosh and Felicity Chilton.

The Chairman informed the Board that this would be his last meeting in the role, that Alderman David Graves and Jeremy Simons would be standing down from the Board in April 2018 having completed their maximum terms of office, and that Jo Hensel had also informed him of her intention to stand down. On behalf of the Board, the Chairman thanked Alderman David Graves, Jeremy Simons and Jo Hensel for their past work and contribution at meetings.  

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 8 January 2018.

The public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 8 January 2018 were received.

RECEIVED.

To receive the public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 31 January 2018.  TO FOLLOW

The public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 31 January 2018 were received.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered the Town Clerk’s report on terms of reference and frequency of meetings. The following was raised:-

·         It was noted that a further meeting of the Remuneration Committee may be required during 2017/18.

·         The Board agreed with a Governor’s suggestion that the Governance and Effectiveness Committee further consider the terms of reference and any future changes, particularly arising from requirements of the new Office for Students and articles of governance.

RESOLVED – That

a)        approval be given to the terms of reference of the Board for submission to the Court as set out in the appendix, with further consideration to be given by the Governance and Effectiveness Committee to any future changes, particularly arising from requirements of the new Office for Students; and

b)        the frequency of meetings going forward be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Governors considered the report of the Town Clerk on outstanding actions and it was noted that Privy Council approval was in the process of being sought for the change to the Board’s quorum.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Principal’s general report was considered by the Board and the following matters were raised:-

·         The Principal informed Governors that the School had hosted the National Music Therapy Conference the previous weekend, attracting 400 attendees, and would host the Reflective Conservatoires Conference during the week.

·         Responding to a question on partnerships, the Principal confirmed the intention to look further than the ‘square mile’ with link-ups to the London Borough of Islington and the potential for the City Academies to become genuine ‘feeders’ under discussion.  

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the annual research and knowledge exchange report 2016/17.

The following matters were raised:-

·         The Chairman thanked the Principal for the paper which he felt showed the impressive breadth of work being undertaken.

·         Governors were informed that Daniel Kidane (referred to on page 27 of the agenda pack) is a former CYM student.

·         In response to comments from a Governor, the Board were informed that consideration was being given to obtaining further research income. It was noted that, in Research Council terms, the School is relatively small. Further updates would be provided to the Board as the research focus is narrowed down.

·         Noted that the Corporation’s annual dedicated grant toward research is in the region of £500,000.

·         The new Vice Principal, Director of Advancement would be tasked with attracting additional funds for research purposes.

·         Governors were told that work is underway to ensure the School’s visability at the Centre for Music with ‘named areas’.   

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal. 

With the agreement of the Chairman, the Board considered the late report and further appendices of the Principal on the annual efficiency return.

RESOLVED – That the annual efficiency return be approved.

There were no questions on the public section of the agenda.

There were no urgent items of business on the public section of the agenda.

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 remaining 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017 be approved as a correct record, subject to a minor amendment.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 8 January 2018.

The non-public minutes of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 8 January 2018 were received.

RECEIVED.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 31 January 2018.  TO FOLLOW

The non-public minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 31 January 2018 were received.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the Principal’s non-public general report.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Board considered the report of the Chamberlain on annual waivers 2016/17.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the access monitoring return 2016/17.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the student protection plan.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the School risk register.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the annual transparent approach to costing (TRAC) return 2016/17.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Principal.

The Board considered the report of the Principal on the finance review.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board considered and approved a course of action on the report of the Principal on Honorary Membership of the School.

RESOLVED

The Board considered one non-public matter relating to its work.

There were no non-public urgent matters.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017.

RESOLVED – That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017 be approved as a correct record.

Report of Head of Finance and Business Administration.

The Board considered a report of the Head of Finance and Business Administration on IT restructure.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.