Stafford College Corporation

STAFFORD COLLEGE CORPORATION

MINUTES of

CORPORATION MEETING, 12 DECEMBER 2013

Present: Ian Mason External (Chair)

Mike Bagguley External

Syd Birkin External

Ian Blachford External

Paul Buttery External

Owen Charlton Student

Tony Davison External

Jayne Deaville External

Graham Humby External

Sue Green Staff

Steve Willis Principal

Neil Wood Staff

Val Woodward External

Observers: Ray Barnett Associate

Harsh Duggal Associate

Ronnie Westerman Associate

In Attendance: John Charleton Clerk

Anne Piercy Vice Principal (Curriculum and Quality)

Angela Ray Tutorial Co-ordinator

Ian Rigby Vice Principal (Resources)

Apologies: Emma Birch Student

Mark Winnington External

PART I

1991.0 MEMBERSHIP

The Chair welcomed Owen Charlton and, in her absence, Emma Birch to their first business meeting of the Corporation as Student Members.

The Chair thanked Steve Willis and Tony Davison for their major contributions to the work of the Board during their periods of office.

1992.0 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

The Chair reminded members of their duty to declare an interest, financial or otherwise, in any items on the Agenda. Graham Humby declared that he was an employee of the Sterling Power Group.

Jayne Deaville joined the meeting during discussion on the following item of business

1993.0 SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

Angela Ray presented the College’s revised Policy and Procedure for the Safeguarding of Young People and Vulnerable Adults which had been updated to reflect revised national guidelines on legislative changes and recent guidance from the Local Children’s Board.

Following discussion it was agreed that the draft Policy and Procedure be amended to confirm that Anne Piercy will act as the College’s Designated Safeguarding Officer from January 2014.

It was RESOLVED:

that subject to the agreed minor amendment the revised Policy and Procedure for the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults be approved.

Angela Ray left the meeting at this point

1994.0 SELF-ASSESSMENT REPORT (SAR) 2012/13

Anne Piercy presented the College’s draft SAR which evaluated College performance in 2012/13 benchmarked wherever possible to the latest national average position for General Further Education Colleges.

The SAR confirmed the self-assessed ratings for College provision in 2012/13 using the Common Inspection Framework grading scale including comparable inspection judgments by OfSTED in April 2013 and target grades for 2013/14. The main College summary grades had been self-assessed by College Management as grade 3 ‘requires improvement’ in line with OfSTED judgments.

The SAR incorporated a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) for 2013/14 which detailed targets / actions based on analysis of final 2012/13 data. to drive further improvements in outcomes for learners and the quality of teaching learning and assessment.

Ian Smith HMI had reviewed the SAR during his recent ‘support and challenge’ visit and had endorsed the grade profile proposed by College Management. In line with Ian Smith’s recommendations with regard to OfSTED expectations the presentation of the summary SAR is currently being updated by College Management

Anne tabled a summary of kkey strengths to be added to the QIP which included the College’s excellent capacity to improve evidenced by significant improvement in success rates at all levels.

In response to members’ questions/ challenges Anne confirmed the following:

· College Management is developing data from the 2013/14 lesson observations that will allow trend analysis compared to 2012/13 for inclusion in updates to the SAR during the Spring term.

· Drop-in observations had been arranged focusing on different aspects of teaching and learning relating to College priority areas:

· The College shares and moderates its SAR with peer colleges on an informal basis.

· By the end of the Spring term it is anticipated that the College will be able to self-assess its performance this year as ‘good’

Members welcomed the improvement in outcomes for learners and the quality of teaching, learning and assessment noting the positive impact of quality improvement initiatives, interventions and challenge while stressing the need to maintain pressure for improvement on underperforming areas.

Members highlighted the key role of the Curriculum Standards and Performance Committee and the Performance Monitoring Group in closely reviewing progress against targets in the QIP providing challenge to College Management where necessary.

It was RESOLVED:

that the draft College SAR for 2012/13 and Quality Improvement Plan for 2013/14 be approved.

Ronnie Westerman joined the meeting at this point

1995.0 CORPORATION BUSINESS MEETING HELD ON 11 JULY 2013

(a) Minutes

It was RESOLVED:

that the minutes be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

(b) Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1996.0 CORPORATION STRATEGIC MEETING HELD ON 17 OCTOBER 2013

(a) Minutes

It was RESOLVED:

that the minutes be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

(b) Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1997.0 CORPORATION SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 7 NOVEMBER 2013

(a) Minutes

It was RESOLVED:

that the minutes be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

(b) Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1998.0 CORPORATION SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 27 NOVEMBER 2013

(a) Minutes

It was RESOLVED:

that the minutes be confirmed as a true record and be signed by the Chair.

(b) Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

1999.0 SUMMARY REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

(a) Search and Governance Committee, 7 October 2013

The Chair of the Committee reported on the following issues:

(i) Board Composition

The Committee had considered the Clerk’s report on Board membership.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Search and Governance Committee:

(a) the vacancy for an external member be not filled pending the Board’s consideration of its structure.

(b) the vacancy on the Audit Committee be not filled with the membership of the Committee to be reduced to 5 members.

(c) Ian Blachford be appointed to the Remuneration Committee with effect from 1 January 2014

(d) Val Woodward be appointed to the Search and Governance Committee with effect from 1 January 2014

(ii) Board Self-Assessment Arrangements: 2013/14

The Committee had considered the Clerk’s report on proposed future arrangements for governance self-assessment in 2013/14.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Search and Governance Committee:

(a) the proposed arrangements for governance self-assessment be approved

(b) the target of 80% for overall governor attendance in 2013/14 be approved

(b) Audit Committee, 12 November 2013

The Chair of the Committee highlighted the following issues:

(i) Audit and Accountability Annex to the Foundation Code of Governance

The Committee had considered a report on the Audit and Accountability Annex of the English Colleges’ Foundation Code of Governance.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Audit Committee:

the AoC Audit and Accountability Annex of the English Colleges’ Foundation Code of Governance be adopted.

(ii) Terms of Reference

The Committee’s Terms of Reference had been updated to take account of the requirements of the new JACOP and the Audit/Accountability Annex.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Audit Committee:

the Committee’s updated Terms of Reference be approved.

The Chair of the Committee highlighted the following issues:

(i) Learner Outcomes 2012/13

Anne Piercy had presented an initial headline summary of the College’s final headline Learner Outcomes for 2012/13 which confirmed improved learner outcome performance at all levels and age ranges.

(ii) Observations of Teaching and Learning

Emma Reed had reported on headline outcomes of the first and second rounds of the College’s lesson observations in 2013/14.

The report confirmed that the College was making good progress towards the target in the QIP of at least 70% of graded observations rated as good or better by the end of 2013/14.

(d) Resources Committee, 27 November 2013

The Chair of the Committee reported on the following issues:

(i) Disciplinary Procedure for College Staff (other than Senior Postholders)

Members had considered the Disciplinary Procedure for College Staff which had been updated to take account of issues raised in recent staff appeals against dismissal.

Following the meeting, in the light of concerns subsequently raised by members, the Chair of the Committee had agreed that this item be deferred for further consideration to the Resources Committee meeting in March.

(ii) Recognition Agreement

Members had considered the College’s updated Local Recognition and Procedural Agreement which detailed the agreed arrangements for consultation and negotiation between the College and the recognized Trade unions.

Members had approved the revised Recognition Agreement subject to the inclusion of the agreed changes.

(iii) Annual Pay Award 2013/14

Members had considered proposals from College Management on the annual pay award for staff other than senior post holders for 2013/14.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Resources Committee:

(a) No pay award be made to staff (excluding senior post holders) in 2013/14

(b) the pay of any member of staff earning below the UK ‘living wage’ rate of £7.45 per hour be increased to this level from 1 February 2014.

2000.0 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2012/13

Ian Rigby presented the draft Financial Statements for 2012/13 which reported a final operating deficit of £258K compared to £260K in the July Management Accounts and included all redundancy and associated costs of the summer term re-structuring programme.

The College anticipated receiving additional funding of £278K from the SFA to reflect the target for adult apprenticeships which has been exceeded.

Steve Willis highlighted the potentially serious impact for the College of a recent proposal by the EFA to reduce the funding rate for learners aged 18 from next year.

It was RESOLVED that:

(a) following review by the Audit Committee, the reports listed below be accepted as part of the assurance with regard to the Statement of Internal Control within the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2013:

· Financial Statements Audit Management Letter

· Learner Number Funding Assurance Report

· Internal Audit Service Annual Report

· Annual Report of the Audit Committee

· Risk Management Annual Report

· Fraud Risk Self-Assessment

(b) as recommended by the Resources Committee, the Letter of Representation for the 2012/13 Financial Statements be approved and signed by the Chair of the Corporation.

(c) as recommended by the Resources Committee, the Financial Statements for 2012/13 be approved and signed by the Chair and the Principal for submission to the SFA.

2001.0 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Anne Piercy presented the College’s draft revised Equality Information and Equality Objectives for 2012-15 together with the updated Single Equality and Diversity Policy.

The College’s Equality Objectives had been updated to include the results of analysis of the final learner outcomes for 2012/13.

Following review by SMT and the Equality and Diversity Committee only minor changes were proposed to the Single Equality and Diversity Policy.

It was RESOLVED:

(a) that the draft Equality Information and Equality Objectives be approved

(b) The updated Single Equality and Diversity Policy be approved.

2002.0 OfSTED SUPPORT AND CHALLENGE ARRANGEMENTS

Anne Piercy gave an oral report on the outcome of Ian Smith HMI’s third ‘support and challenge’ visit to the College on 10/ 11 December 2013 towards the achievement of a grade 2 at the next inspection.

During his visit Ian Smith had undertaken a number of short drop-in lesson observations with members of the College OTL team focused on under-performing areas of the curriculum. Ian Smith had given feedback to curriculum managers on his observations which were in line with judgements made by the College lesson observation team.

Following his visit Ian Smith will write to the College to identify priorities for improvement. The next ‘support and challenge; visit the College will be in February when Ian Smith will meet with curriculum teams in under-performing areas and talk to teachers on the impact of CPD and coaching.

It was RESOLVED

that the report be received

2003.0 PREPARATION FOR OfSTED INSPECTION

Anne Piercy reported on a series of activities and planned actions arranged by College Management to ensure that governors were well prepared for Inspection.

· The Curriculum Standards and Performance Committee and the Performance Monitoring Group will continue to meet every half-term to receive detailed updates on progress towards targets for the improvement of teaching, learning and assessment and learner outcomes in the College’s Quality Improvement Plan.

· The College’s ‘support and challenge’ Inspector will attend the January meeting of the PMG and will give guidance to governors throughout the Inspection process.

· A concise document showing key performance indicators will be regularly updated and circulated to governors. This will highlight the key targets extracted from the College Quality Improvement Plan and will monitor in-year measures where they exist and the latest position against target.

It was RESOLVED:

(a) that the report be received

(b) the proposed format of the Performance Update document be approved

2004.0 CHAIR’S REPORT

(a) AoC Conference

The Chair reported on his attendance together with the Principal at the recent AoC Conference in Birmingham.

(b) Strategic Meeting

The Chair proposed that the Strategic Meeting scheduled for Thursday 6 February 2014 be cancelled to be re-arranged later in the academic year if required.

It was RESOLVED:

that the Strategic Meeting on 6 February 2014 be cancelled.

2005.0 PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

The Principal presented his report which highlighted recent local and national developments affecting the College.

It was RESOLVED:

that the report be received.

2006.0 CLERK’S REPORT

(a) Foundation Code of Governance

The Clerk presented a report which highlighted further actions required to comply with the Foundation Code of Governance.

It was RESOLVED that as recommended by the Clerk:

(a) the Role Description of the Chair of the Corporation be amended to include reference to the time commitment required to undertake the role being an average of 3 hours per week during term-time

(b) the Role Description for the Safeguarding lead governor be approved

(b) Annual Report on Governance

The Clerk presented the Annual Report on Governance which highlighted the key governance issues affecting the Corporation in 2013.

(i) Calendar and Schedule of Meetings