Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Directors
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Wednesday 18 August 2010 at 10.30am in the
Board Room, Learning and Teaching Scotland, The Optima, 58 Robertson Street,
Glasgow G2 8DU.
Present:
Jim Conroy, Board Member
Carole Ford, Board Member
Paul Harris, Board Member
Louise Hayward, Board Member
Jacqui Hepburn, Board Member
Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive and Board Member
Iain Nisbet, Board Member
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
Ken Thomson, Board Member
In attendance:
Alan Armstrong, Director – Curriculum and Assessment
Marie Dougan, Director – Learning & Technology
Iain Finlayson, Scottish Government
Eileen Gill, Chief Professional Adviser, Strategic Organisational Development
Alistair Gordon, Director - Corporate Services
Anne Jardine, Director – Learning and Community
Kay Livingston, Director – International, Research and Innovation
Catherine MacIntyre, Professional Adviser, Policy & Governance
Apologies:
Murray McVicar, Scottish Government
Christine Pollock, Cosla Observer
Maureen Verrall, Scottish Government
Gavin Whitefield, Special Adviser
Action
1.
Due Date
Welcome and Apologies
1.1
Welcome
1.1.1
Graeme opened the meeting by formally welcoming new
Board Member, Ken Thomson, who took up his appointment
to the Board of LTS on 1 June 2010.
1.1.2
Graeme also welcomed Louise back to the Board now that
she had recovered from her illness. Board Members also
congratulated Louise on being given a Professorship in the
University of Glasgow in recognition of Louise’s research
work and contribution to the development of learning and
teaching.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
1
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
1.1.3
1.2
Alistair
August 2010
Alistair
August 2010
Finally, Graeme extended a welcome to Iain Finlayson who
was representing the Scottish Government.
As noted above.
Minute of the Previous Meeting + Action Grid + Note of Closed
Session Discussion held on 16 June 2010
2.1
3.
Due Date
Apologies
1.2.1
2.
Action
The Minute (and Action Grid) of the previous meeting held on
16 June 2010 were accepted as a true record. The Record Note of
the Closed Session Discussion will be dealt with under Agenda
Item 12.
Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes
3.1
3.2
Cosla Representative on the LTS Board (Item 3.1 refers)
3.1.1
Graeme informed Board Members that written confirmation
had been received from the Scottish Government advising
that Cosla is content to support the Annual Business Plan
2010/11.
3.1.2
Board Members noted that this was the final step required in
terms of approvals and (as of 2 August 2010) the Plan has
been fully and finally signed off by the Scottish Government.
Alistair will now arrange for publication on the LTS website.
Chief Executive’s Report (Item 7.1.7 refers)
3.2.1
At the last Board Meeting, Iain raised a query about CPD
materials specifically relating to the 2009 ASL Act and how
these would link with CfE.
3.2.2
Anne provided a short update which explained that LTS is
working with the Scottish Government to progress the
development of support in relation to provision of
appropriate planning for learning, individualised education
programmes and co-ordinated support plans. This includes
working with local authorities on the production of an online
CPD resource which will highlight models of good practice
from across the country.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
2
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
4.
LTS has commissioned filming which will take place at the
beginning of September mainly in the form of ‘talking heads’
and there will also be a number of roadshows. The resource
will be launched in November which is the anniversary of the
original launch.
3.2.4
There were no other significant matters arising that did not
feature on the Agenda.
Declarations of Interest
4.1
5.
3.2.3
Due Date
None.
Deputy Chair’s Report
5.1
General Update
5.1.1
5.1.2
Meeting with SQA Chair and Chief Executive
5.1.1.1
Graeme gave a brief account of the recent meeting
with Bernard and the Chief Executive and Chair of
SQA. It had provided a very useful opportunity to
begin to explore how the two organisations can
identify further synergies and progress joint
working already underway.
5.1.1.2
With reference to the meeting of the LTS and SQA
Boards, Board Members noted that 22 November
appeared to be the best date for the majority of
Members from both Boards. Further information /
confirmation will be sent to Board Members in due
course.
Catherine
Sept 2010
Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning
5.1.2.1
Graeme reminded Board Members that the
Minister was visiting LTS at The Optima on 19
August.
5.1.2.2
The programme will include short updates on CfE;
NAR; Glow Futures; CLD; LTS Online Resources;
China; revenue generating opportunities and
partnership working.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
3
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
5.1.2.3
5.2
Due Date
There will also be an opportunity for the Minister to
meet some of the staff directly involved in delivery
these projects and services. Graeme added that
the Minister was very keen to come to LTS and will
undoubtedly learn a lot about LTS during this visit.
Letter of Ministerial Guidance and Funding for 2010/11
5.2.1
Board Members were delighted to note that Graeme had
received the Guidance Letter from the Minister, Keith Brown
and that written confirmation of grant-in-aid to support
delivery of the LTS Business Plan for 2010/11 had now also
been received. Graeme drew the Board’s attention to point
7 in the funding letter which asks LTS to provide Education
Finance with a reprofile of grant-in-aid remaining by the end
of September 2010. Iain Finlayson confirmed that this was
not unusual, but would be particularly important given the
current economic situation so that the Scottish Government
can identify any funds that could be redistributed.
5.2.2
Jim commented that because funds are so tight, there is a
danger that there will be more and more of this reporting at a
time when resources should be re-focused to front line and
this would inevitably lead to an increased level of
bureaucracy. Jim queried how LTS would deal with this in
terms of staffing profile.
5.2.3
Louise asked if the Scottish Government was aware of this
because it is important that we do not get drawn into
increased levels of bureaucracy at a time of efficiencies.
Iain Finlayson explained that the situation is no different
within the Scottish Government, and the Permanent
Secretary and Strategic Management Board will be looking
at this. Iain also suggested that there would be an
opportunity for Graeme and Bernard to raise this issue at the
ELL Portfolio Meeting with Ministers on 26 August.
5.2.4
Jim suggested that the message back to the Scottish
Government should be that priority reporting only is
required. Bernard commented that there is a culture of
managerialism with too many systems. However, Iain had
always applied a light touch, but within the restrictions of the
Scottish Government systems.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
4
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
5.2.5
5.3
6.
Graeme asked Alistair to prepare a short paper with graded
options for the next Board Meeting.
Action
Due Date
Alistair
20.10.10
Preparation of Programme for Residential: 20/21 October 2010
5.3.1
Graeme advised Board Members of a potential problem with
the planned date for this year’s Residential. This has
emerged because of formal commitments associated with
LTS’s MoU with the Hanban and Tianjin Education
Commission which means that Bernard and Kay would be in
China at this time.
5.3.2
Board Members agreed that, in these circumstances, it
would be preferrable to reschedule the Residential to coincide with the December meeting – diaries permitting.
Graeme commented that by this stage the outcomes of the
autumn Spending Review would be known. This would help
to better inform ongoing work on scenario planning and
Board / CMT discussions around preparing the organisation
for forthcoming budget pressures and different models of
delivery.
5.3.3
Board Members noted that the next Board Meeting would
take place on 20 October in The Optima. Catherine will
arrange for a note to be circulated Board Members in due
course containing details of all the diary changes.
Catherine
August 2010
Delivering LTS’s Core Remit within Significant Financial Constraints
6.1
Board Members noted the recent correspondence received from the
Scottish Government which emphasises the immediate need for
reduced public sector spending / efficiencies, managing the
workforce and indicates the longer term possibility of significant
structural changes to the current landscape.
6.2
Bernard gave assurance to the Board that the CMT had begun to
develop scenarios to prepare LTS, not only for the challenges that
lie ahead, but also potential opportunities, including generating
income. However, the focus would remain on the delivery of
commitments within the core remit.
6.3
Bernard also updated the Board on more indepth discussions with
other organisations about potential commercial opportunities
including revenue generation / savings through the Interconnect,
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
5
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
Graeme
20.10.10
Catherine
20.10.10
Glow Futures and web services. [ Not disclosed ]
6.4
6.5
In summary, Bernard stated that the CMT is working hard to control
costs; developing plans to generate savings; making sure that LTS
delivers on CfE and the Minister’s priorities and looking at
opportunities for generating revenue. On this last point, the Board
noted that there is still a lack of clarity / direction from the Scottish
Government, however, the meeting with Ministers on 26 August may
help to address this. The Scottish Government wants to explore
how all organisations contribute to the ‘learning journey’, and how it
can be made more efficient. Graeme and Bernard will be
representing LTS at this meeting and will update Board Members on
the key outputs at the next Board Meeting.
Board Members then discussed the potential of income generation
within the public sector at some length. Points emerging from the
discussion included:
6.5.1
LTS is right to seek greater collaborative working.
6.5.2
Need to be aware of the perception / impression given to
stakeholders if a more commercial approach is taken.
6.5.3
Income generating activity needs to be properly resourced to
ensure continuous identification of opportunities.
6.6
Bernard used the analogy of a continuum to describe the
interconnected nature of the various activities, eg controlling costs;
shared services and economies of scale; more indepth partnerships;
new service provision perhaps not entirely within the public sector,
eg demise of Becta; public / private partnership, eg Microsoft
(there is no other national organisation to partner with except LTS);
good relationship with China and possibility of leveraging more
funding; large number of international visits to LTS.
6.7
The Board will come back to this issue at future meetings.
Catherine to note for the agenda.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
6
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
7.
Organisational Development: Revised Programme Priorities
7.1
8.
Due Date
Eileen briefed Board Members on progress since the last meeting.
The key points included:
7.1.1
The OD Committee is scheduled to meet on 30 September.
The agenda for that meeting is likely to cover Strategic /
Annual planning; Response to Review of LTS:
Supplementary Papers; scenario planning and review of OD
Programme priorities.
7.1.2
A response is still awaited from the Scottish Government to
the High Level Structure proposal.
7.1.3
Currently scenario planning has become the main priority
and other OD work is helping to develop and prepare the
scenarios. This involves looking at issues relating to the
‘top down’ approach and addresses some of the points
raised by Board Members earlier in the meeting, as well as
giving some reassurance to the Scottish Government. The
scenarios will help LTS to prepare and adapt as challenges
emerge over the coming months.
7.1.4
Scott-Moncrieff has started the work on funding models and,
as stated earlier, further discussions have taken place on a
range of possibilities for shared services with a number of
other public bodies.
7.1.5
Staff engagement continues to be a key priority and CMT is
currently looking at trying different methods and formats for
engaging / involving staff.
Chief Executive’s Report
8.1
Curriculum for Excellence, Assessment and Glow
8.1.1
Alan commented on the joint work with HMIe / ADES /
Scottish Government to develop plans for the programme of
support for local authorities that will take place from
September to December. HMIe is now looking at how they
will deploy this support.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
7
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
8.2
8.1.2
Board Members noted that the redevelopment and launch of
the new online service had been completed by mid August
as planned.
8.1.3
The Glow refresh continues, with Glow Blogs now live and
further services due to be available by the end of August.
Several high profile GlowMeets took place recently and a
further GlowMeet involving Historic Scotland’s Skara Brae
project is in the planning stages. Graeme added that
Historic Scotland is at the leading edge in terms of its use of
digital technology and highlighted the potential opportunities
for commercialisation.
Glow Gateway 5
8.2.1
8.3
In response to a comment from Bernard, Paul explained that
news of the collapse of RealTime Worlds was a devastating
blow for the company and Dundee, however, the problem
within the games industry is that it is an embryonic sector.
Paul added that LTS should not be overly concerned in
terms of its links with games technologies. The serious
application of games in education is very, very sound.
SOLACE
8.4.1
8.5
The Board noted the report.
Learning and Technology Update
8.3.1
8.4
Due Date
The Board noted the report.
LTS / Scotland’s Colleges : Partnership Priorities / Workplans
2010 /11
8.5.1
Anne reminded the Board of the Statement of Intent that
was presented at the June meeting. The subsequent paper
now illustrates how the joint commitments will be delivered
and how these relate to the deliverables within the LTS
Business Plan.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
8
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
8.5.2
8.6
8.7
Ken commented that Scotland’s Colleges is very much a
centre for policy and CPD development and is currently
involved in a lot of work with China. There is a significant
amount of material that needs to be reviewed and a real
opportunity for LTS to work in partnership with Scotland’s
Colleges.
International Education – Confucious Classrooms
8.6 1
Kay reported on the very successful visit to Scotland of the
delegation from Tianjin Education Commission led by Mr
Lin. During the visit, the delegation went to all of the
Confucius Classrooms in Scotland which included
participation in a showcase event. They also visited
Glasgow University, the Consulate in Edinburgh and had an
opportunity to meet the Minister, Adam Ingram and observe
First Minister’s Question Time.
8.6.2
Bernard received a letter thanking LTS for the efficient
organisation of their visit and also development of the
Confucius Classrooms. This is a very significant step
forward for LTS because the Education Commission will
feed back their positive experience to The Hanban.
Links with Historic Scotland
8.7.1
8.8
Due Date
The Board noted the report.
Scottish Learning Festival 2010
8.8.1
Kay advised that registrations had exceeded all previous
years which was particularly noteworthy in light of the
current economic climate and the first time electronic only
registration has been used.
8.8.2
There has also been an increase in numbers of student
teachers and many of the Spotlight Sessions are already
fully booked, with Assessment and Curriculum for
Excellence being the most popular.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
9
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
9.
10.
8.8.3
Bookings for the first Twilight Session are also going well.
The addition of the Twilight Session means that, overall, the
event is slightly larger scale than previous years.
8.8.4
Finally, Board Members noted that all three Ministers are
scheduled to be at the Festival and there are currently 661
registrations for the Cabinet Secretary’s keynote.
Due Date
Glow Futures Procurement and Governance
9.1
Bernard advised that the team is currently concluding the
development of a suite of strategic ‘working’ documents which will be
sent to the Scottish Government in advance of Jackie Brock’s
meeting with the Cabinet Secretary. There is further work to be
done on the scope of services and costings, and once this work is
completed, the documents will, of course, be brought formally to the
Board. The Board also noted that the revisions were being made to
the Timeline and that the Industry Engagement event is scheduled
take place on 14 September.
9.2
Bernard gave a brief report on issues relating to the governance
arrangements which had been raised by the Scottish Government at
their recent Advisory Board Meeting. Bernard emphasised that he
was not unduly concered and is meeting with Jackie Brock to
discuss the points raised. However, he recognised that the Board
had a particular interest in these arrangements given their
responsibility for governance and will provide a further update on this
at the next meeting.
Bernard
20.10.10
Corporate Performance Report
10.1 Alistair presented the report and drew attention to the following
points:
10.1.1 Overall programme status as at June shows Amber. This is
directly related to the fact that as of that date, LTS had not
yet received confirmation of funding in the form of a Grant
Letter
10.1.2 Going forward, rather than focusing on programmes, the
Corporate Performance Report will report against Business
Plan deliverables set within the context of the core remit.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
10
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
10.1.3 Referring to spend as at June 2010, Alistair confirmed that
27% is in line with expectations. The Board noted that areas
of spend tend to be back-end loaded with the exception of
Technologies for Learning.
10.1.4 The Communities Team is off to a slow start primarily
because the transfer of Learning Connections only took
effect on 1 April. However, the Board was reassured that
the funding is accounted for within the Business Plan
deliverables.
10.2 Jim commented on the need for better mechanisms to tap into other
resources and draw activities together elsewhere in the system. Jim
also suggested that LTS would be well placed to act as a conduit for
this purpose. Kay stated that organisations recognise that they need
a channel and the only way sustainable is through LTS. However,
the Board noted the difficulties associated with pulling some projects
/ funding streams together, particularly because of departmentalism
in England.
10.3 Finally, Louise advised that she knew of the work LTS had done on
sustainability and this had been highlighted at a recent seminar
Louise attended in London. There is wide support for this work and
it is seen to have significant potential and an area to build on for a
number of reasons.
11.
Annual Reporting and Review
11.1 Report from the Audit Committee
The Board received the summary of Audit Committee activity over
the past twelve months and noted in particular that the Committee
had:
11.1.1 Endorsed the Statement of Internal Controls which the
Board will now consider.
11.1.2 Agreed the External Audit Report and Annual Accounts.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
11
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
11.2 LTS Statutory Accounts as at 31 March 2010 and Report to the
Auditor General
11.2.1 Alistair presented the accounts to the Board and drew
attention to a number of points including:
i)
There is a considerable increase in pension deficit
(£8.3m) which has had a substantial impact on the
reserves resulting in a net deficit of £1.5m. This is a
significant reduction on last year.
ii)
The Letter of Representation to the External Auditors
which confirms the disclosures requires to be signed
(on behalf of the Board) by the Chief Executive and
Company Secretary.
iii)
The Annual Accounts have been reviewed by the Audit
Committee, LTS External Auditors and the Scottish
Government. The Audit Committee is content to
recommend the Accounts, in terms of their technical
accuracy, to the Board for approval.
iv)
The External Auditors requested that a note should be
included in the Accounts referring to ‘Going Concern’
which reflects LTS’s reliance on public funding.
v)
Optima rental costs have previously be borne directly
by the Scottish Government. However, the Scottish
Government has suggested that, going forward, LTS is
funded to pay the landord directly and this would then
be reported in the LTS Annual Accounts.
vi)
Reflecting on the pension fund over the past five years,
it illustrates the volatility of LTS’s annual results owing
to external factors.
11.2.2 Although there is a deficit in relation to reserves, Alistair
assured the Board that there is no risk to LTS in terms of
solvency. It is a ‘spot valuation’ of the pension fund that has
resulted in this unusual picture.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
12
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
11.2.3 Bernard added that the significant point is whether it is
funded / unfunded. However, LTS will not be taking any
action until the outcome of the Commission’s review of
public sector pensions (led by Sir John Hutton) is published.
11.2.4 Finally, Alistair drew attention to the Report to the Board and
Auditor General which will be published on the Audit
Scotland website.
11.2.5 The Board unanimously approved the Accounts and
authorised signing of the Statement of Internal Control and
Management Letter.
11.3 Review of Corporate Risk
11.3.1 Alistair presented the Corporate Risk Register for the
Board’s consideration. The Board noted that it had been
reviewed by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 1 July
and that it would be updated to reflect any changes to the
strategic objectives / statements as a result of the
forthcoming strategic and annual planning discussions. The
CMT will, of course, keep the Register under review.
11.4 LTS Annual Review 2009/10
11.4.1 Board Members were supportive of the format and content
of this year’s Review. Final proof-reading, colour /
photography and lay out will now be completed in time for
publishing and submitting to the Scottish Government along
with the Annual Accounts. These documents will then be
laid before the Scottish Parliament in October.
12.
Review of Chief Executive’s Salary Arrangements and Bonus 2009/10
(verbal)
12.1 Officers withdrew from the meeting and the Board discussed this
matter in Closed Session.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
13
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
Catherine
August 2010
Louise
20.10.10
Officers rejoined the meeting.
13.
Items for Noting
13.1 Board Committee Arrangements
13.1.1 Revised membership and Terms of Reference (agreed via
email) were unanimously accepted by the Board.
Catherine will now arrange for written confirmation of
Committee Membership arrangements to be sent to
individual Board Members.
13.2 Minute from Audit Committee Meeting: 1 July 2010
13.2.1 Noted.
13.3 Advisory Council
13.3.1 Louise advised that the Advisory Council would be meeting
later in August and will be finalising workplans at that
meeting. Louise will provide an update on the key points at
the next Board Meeting.
13.4 Finance Reports – May and June 2010
13.4.1 Noted.
13.5 Media Update – June and July 2010
13.5.1 Noted.
14.
AOB
14.1 Carole’s Retirement from the Board
14.1.1 Graeme thanked Carole for her commitment and
contribution to the work of the Board over the last three
years and for stepping in on several occasions, at very short
notice, to assist with Board Committees. Bernard also
added that Carole brought the true voice of a committed
educational professional. Carole had carried out the
broadest role of a Board Member and provided very useful
evaluation and challenge.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
14
B.Mins.04/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
14.1.2 Carole thanked Graeme and Bernard and said that she
enjoyed her time with the LTS Board. Carole added that she
would miss the Board, however, due to time pressures of
both work and GTC commitments, she was unable to
continue as a Board Member.
15.
Date of Next Meeting
15.1 The next meeting is scheduled to take place at 10:30am on
20 October 2010 in the Board Room of LTS, Glasgow.
Approved by:
______________________________________
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
Date: _________________
Approved by:
______________________________________
Alistair Gordon, Company Secretary
Date: _________________
Meeting of the Board of Directors
18 August 2010
15
B.Mins.04/10