Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Stella Currie, Daniel Evans, Paul Hughes, Katharine Lewis and Deputy Richard Regan.

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).

Nicy Roberts declared her personal interest as a Chairman of the Friends of the Centre for Young Musicians and because her daughter played in the LSSO (part of Centre for Young Musicians) (this was a standing declaration).

Sir Andrew Burns declared that he was Chairman of the Hestercombe Gardens Trust.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2012.

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 September 2012 were approved as a correct record, subject to the addition of Deputy Catherine McGuinness as being present and in attendance.

To receive the public minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2012.

The public minutes and summary of the Governance and Effectiveness Committee held on 24 October 2012 were received.

To receive the public minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2012 (to follow).

The public minutes and summary of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 1 November 2012 were received.

Report of the Principal.

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

·           Recent prize winners

·           Student recruitment

·           HEFCE Update

·           TDAP Update

·           Milton Court Project Build Update

·           Fundraising progress

·           KPIs

The Principal explained that on Milton Court although there was currently a six week delay to the programme this would not substantially impact on the ability to open fully in September 2013. The fundraising progress had also been running well and the initial target of £13.5m had reduced to £4.5m.

In response to a question by a Governor the Principal explained that the decrease of applications for post-graduate study  was a broad trend across the sector.. It was noted that a high proportion of post-graduate students benefited from a bursary.

In relation to the naming rights it was reported that a report has been deferred to the next meeting which would allow a policy to be in place for major donations.

RECEIVED

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of HR.

A joint report of the Town Clerk and Director of HR explained that a report was presented to all affected Committees and Boards and the Policy and Resources Committee during late 2011 proposing, at the request of members, to introduce a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) re-checking process for relevant members (every 4 years from the date of first election to a relevant Committee/Board).  When the report was presented at the Court of Common Council in January 2012, officers were asked to consider the potential impact of the Protection of Freedoms Bill on the CRB checks process.  The Bill was enacted in April 2012 and the Home Office has now issued guidance on the changes, enabling us to report back with a revised proposal. 

This report has been approved by the Policy and Resources Committee, (October 2012) and it is now being presented to all affected committees for approval/comment before being resubmitted to the Court of Common Council.

The changes to the national disclosure regime brought about by the Protection of Freedoms Act, mean that checks and re-checks on members should now be carried out where they have relevant contact with children and vulnerable adults, and not simply by virtue of their membership of a previously relevant Board or Committee.

RESOLVED: -

(i)        That the Board notes the fact that legislation now requires a CRB check to be carried out on any Member whose work with children or adults (through the City of London Corporation) meet the relevant criteria.  Automatic checks for all members of previously relevant Committees and Boards would, therefore, cease.

(ii)       That an annual review and self-declaration process be introduced to ensure relevant Members who are eligible for checks are identified.

(iii)      That re-checking is introduced for members requiring this, but only at the point when the

Report of the Principal.

A report of the Principal set out the activities of the Board during the last academic year including its consideration of the assessment outcomes and External Examiner comments from the most recent assessment cycles 2011/12, and two equality-strand analyses of the data for the 2011 admissions cycle and the 2010/11 assessment cycle. 

The Assistant Principal (Research & Academic Development) presented this item explaining that there were strong outcomes in degree classifications and in the NSS Survey. A discussion took place on the “you said: we did” campaign. It was noted that the campaign would aim to increase student engagement and that the participation in the NSS Survey had increased.

In relation to student disciplinary cases it was noted that these had amounted to 1% of the student population and were not a major area of concern.

RECEIVED

Report of the Principal.

A report of the Principal provided a comprehensive overview of the work of the Guildhall School Research & Knowledge Exchange Committee for the academic year 2011-12. The Committee met on a termly basis during the 2011-12 academic year and the report addressed the following key areas:

• Overview of key milestones and highlights
• Research Excellence Framework
• Research Environment
• Doctoral programmes
• Research Ethics
• Policies
• Partnerships
• Funding

The Assistant Principal (Research & Academic Development) presented this item explaining that research was a growing area of activity and a number of important milestones had been achieved in the year e.g. the launch of the School’s full doctoral programme. It was noted that discussions were underway to look at research activity in the drama and technical theatre areas, and that research made an important contribution to the distinctiveness of the School. In particular the Managing Director of the Barbican Centre drew attention to the opportunities to research professional practice within the context of activity at the Barbican Centre.

RECEIVED

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered which explained that as part of the School’s statutory requirements to the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) the School was required to submit a series of annual accountability returns which demonstrated accountability for the public funds that were distributed to them.

RECEIVED

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered which confirmed that the School had met its obligations to HEFCE under the Financial Memorandum (HEFCE 2010/19) and had complied with its duties as a charity and thus enabling HEFCE  to fulfil its responsibility as principal regulator.

The Chairman pointed out that the question asking whether there have been any changes of senior officer in the period that had not been notified to HEFCE, including the Chairs of the governing body and audit committee and the heads of finance and internal audit should be answered with a ‘no’ as it was currently set as ‘yes’.

RECEIVED

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer relative to the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2012 was considered.

RESOLVED – That the Board approve the audited financial statements for the year ending 31 July 2012.

Report of the Chamberlain.

A report of the Chamberlain which had been prepared in accordance with the HEFCE Code of Practice for Accountability and Audit was considered. It provided details of the internal audit work undertaken at the School during the academic year ending 31 July 2012 with the intention of providing an opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management, control and governance, economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

RECEIVED

There were no questions.

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 of the meeting held on 17 September 2012.

The non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 September 2012 were approved.

To receive the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 November 2012 (to follow).

The non-public minutes and summary of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 1 November 2012 were received.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered and agreed. 

Report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

A report of the Principal was received.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered and agreed. 

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer (to follow).

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was considered and agreed. 

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was received.

A presentation by Andrew Almond, Senior Business Development Manager at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

A presentation was provided by the Senior Business Development Manager.

Report of the Principal.

A report of the Principal was received.

Report of the Principal.

A report of the Principal was considered and agreed. 

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was received.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

A report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer was received.

Report of the Head of Estates and Facilities Management.

A report of the Head of Estates and Facilities Management was received.

Report of the Principal.

A report of the Principal was received.

There were no questions.

Director of Student and Corporate Affairs

As this was the last meeting which Deborah MacCallum would attend, as she was leaving her post at the School, the Chairman thanked her for her hard work and contribution to the School.

Oral Update by the Principal.

The Principal gave an oral update on staffing issues.