Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Sir Andrew Burns, Neil Constable, Paul Hughes, Deputy Richard Regan and Jeremy Simons.

Alderman David Graves declared his personal interest as his daughter is at the Junior Guildhall (this was a standing declaration).

Deputy Catherine McGuinness declared her personal interest as a Trustee of the Guildhall School Development Fund, Vice Chair of Governors of the City Academy - Hackney, and a parent of a current student of the Guildhall School (this was a standing declaration).

Katharine Lewis declared her personal interest as her relative was a current student (this was a standing declaration).

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 May 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 May 2012 were approved subject to the following amendments:

Under item 4(i) the initials ‘FRCM’ be added at the end of Professor Barry Ife’s name, under item 4(iv) the President of The Students’ Union term be amended from 25 May 2012 to 31 July 2012 and under item 12 the sentence “…from November 2012 there would be a Hong Kong base at the HK Cultural Centre…” be amended to “…from November 2012 auditions would be held at the HK Cultural Centre…”.

Matters Arising

The Chairman pointed out that Jeremy Simons had now been appointed as Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 15 June 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the Finance & Resources Committee meeting held on 15 June 2012 were received.

To receive the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 July 2012 (copy attached).

The public minutes and summary of the Audit & Risk Management Committee meeting held on 3 July 2012 were received.

Report of the Principal (copy attached).

A report of the Principal updated Governors on the following general issues:

·           Recent prize winners

·           National Student Survey (NSS)

·           Applications and Enrolment 2012/13

·           Application for Taught Degree-Awarding Powers (TDAP)

·           UKBA activity

·           University of East Anglia and Hestercombe House

The Principal reported that comparative NSS scores published that morning, placed the Guildhall School first in both music and drama.

A discussion took place on applications and enrolment and it was noted that various outreach initiatives had been progressed, for example, specialist schools had been contacted/visited, plans were in place to develop a fast track to year two, Masterclasses were being put together and Milton Court would attract potential students.

A detailed discussion took place on the 2012 NSS results and in response to a question by a Governor it was pointed out that management had looked at various ways to improve the services provided to students i.e. timetable clashes. It was noted that whilst some scores were comparatively low, the overall satisfaction rate was in excess of 90% and the School’s standards and processes were robust and good.

It was highlighted that an app had been developed and launched to provide students with key information.  

Governors welcomed the proposal that a report be submitted to the next Board meeting examining the rationale for additional potential associations, such as had been mooted with the University of East Anglia and Hestercombe House. 

RECEIVED

Report of the Town Clerk, on behalf of the Post Implementation Governance Review Working Party (copy attached).

The Court of Common Council had agreed that a Working Party be established to undertake a post-implementation review of the revised governance arrangements, after twelve months of their operation, to take stock of the new arrangements and how they were working.

The report before Governors, prepared on behalf of the Working Party, sought comments, if any, on the governance arrangements introduced in March 2011 and the impact they may have had on the operation of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted with no further comment. 

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries (copy attached).

The Governors considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries on the City of London’s Cultural Strategy. The aim of the Strategy was to present a coherent overview of the City’s hugely important contributions to the life of London and the nation around culture and heritage, with development plans that could be monitored.

The Chairman pointed out that the City Corporation wished to emphasise its cultural contribution to London and the nation. Increasing collaboration with various City-related cultural bodies was consequently an important activity.

A discussion took place and it was pointed out that the Strategy was setting a direction of travel and that the various strands would be developed and progressed in the future.

RESOLVED – That Governors note and endorse the City of London Cultural Strategy 2012 – 2017.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

A report of the Town Clerk was tabled advising Governors of the action taken by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman since the last meeting of the Board in accordance with Standing Order Nos. 41(a) and 41(b).

The actions taken related to the conversion of space to accommodate Music Therapy, the appointment of Jeremy Simons on the Audit & Risk Management Committee and the appointment of Jeremy Simons as the Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee.

RECEIVED

Starred Items

In response to a question by a Governor the Chairman explained that starred items were determined by himself, the Deputy Chairman, Principal, Town Clerk and other key officers. 

There were no urgent items.

MOTION: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 May 2012 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 May 2012 were approved.

Matters Arising

Fundraising Strategy for Milton Court: Naming Rights

The Principal explained that the comprehensive set of procedures for the acceptance and recognition of donations reflecting best practice in the Higher Education sector was in progress and would be submitted to the next meeting.

To receive the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 15 June 2012 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes and summary of the Finance & Resources Committee held on 14 June 2012 were received.

To receive the non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 July 2012 (copy attached).

The non-public minutes and summary of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 3 July 2012 were received.

Report of the Principal (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Principal.

Report of the Principal (copy attached).

The Board considered and agreed a report of the Principal.

Report of the Assistant Principal (copy attached).

The Board considered a report of the Assistant Principal.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Report of the Head of Development (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Head of Development.

Report of the Principal (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Principal.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer (copy attached).

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.