Minutes
Meeting of the Board of Directors
A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Wednesday 16 June 2010 at 10.30am in the Board
Room, Learning and Teaching Scotland, The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow G2 8DU.
Present:
Carole Ford, Board Member
Paul Harris, Board Member
Jacqui Hepburn, Board Member
Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive and Board Member
Iain Nisbet, Board Member
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
Christine Pollock, Cosla Observer
In attendance:
Alan Armstrong, Director – Curriculum and Assessment
Marie Dougan, Director – Learning & Technology
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:
Jim Conroy, Board Member
Louise Hayward, Board Member
Murray McVicar, Scottish Government
Ken Thomson, Board Member
Maureen Verrall, Scottish Government
Gavin Whitefield, Special Adviser
Action
1.
Due Date
Welcome and Apologies
1.1
Welcome
1.1.1
1.2
Graeme opened the meeting by formally welcoming Paul
Harris to the Board of LTS. Paul took up his appointment
as a Board Member on 1 June 2010.
Apologies
1.2.1
As noted above. Graeme explained that Jim is obliged to
participate in the University of Glasgow Commemoration
Day events which are taking place on 16 June.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
1
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
1.2.2
2.
Due Date
Alistair
June 2010
Catherine
18.8.10
In addition, Scottish Government colleagues have advised
that they are required to attend important policy meetings,
including CfE Management Board and the Higher Order
Skills Group.
Minute of the Previous Meeting + Action Grid held on
28 April 2010
2.1
3.
Action
The Minute of the previous meeting, Action Grid and Closed
Session Discussion were accepted as a true record. The
Minute and Action Grid will now be published on the website,
subject to any FOI exemptions.
Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes
3.1
3.2
Cosla Representative on the LTS Board (Item 3.1 refers)
3.1.1
Graeme advised that Murray McVicar had been liaising
with Robert Nicol (Cosla), about how actual ‘sign off’ of the
LTS Business Plan would be obtained. However, there
had been no further feedback. Christine also confirmed
that she had not heard from either Robert or Murray.
3.1.2
It was agreed that officers would follow this up again after
the Board Meeting with a view to progressing and,
hopefully concluding, prior to the August Board Meeting.
Chair’s Report : Cabinet Secretary Visit to LTS (Item 3.3 refers)
3.2.1
Board Members noted that following the Cabinet
Secretary’s very successful visit to LTS on 26 April, an
Action Plan was prepared. This has now been sent to and
acknowledge by the Cabinet Secretary’s office.
3.2.2
Graeme also advised the Board that Keith Brown, Minister
for Skills and Lifelong Learning, will be visiting LTS on
Thursday 19 August.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
2
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
3.3
18.8.10
Marie updated Board Members on a recent meeting held
with local authority key contacts to discuss management
information reporting from Glow. Attendees confirmed that
they were happy with the six pilot reports. There are now a
further two reports in development which local authorities
confirmed they are happy to pursue.
Glow Better : Potential Local Authority Pilot (Item 6.3.7 vi)
refers)
3.6.1
3.7
Marie
Graeme advised that there was no further information from
the Scottish Government in relation to the LTS paper which
was submitted by John in February. Graeme also
confirmed that he had expected to receive the letter of
Ministerial Guidance prior to the Board Meeting, however,
it had not materialised. Murray has since indicated that he
is progressing the matter as quickly as he can.
Glow Better : Management Information Reporting (Item 6.3.7 ii)
refers)
3.5.1
3.6
Board Members noted that the joint Chairs and Chief
Executives meeting is being arranged for early August.
Arrangements for the joint Board Meeting are also
progressing with a view to identifying a date in late August
/ early September.
Chair’s Report : LTS Review Implementation (Item 3.5 refers)
3.4.1
3.5
Due Date
Chair’s Report : Joint Board Meeting with SQA (Item 3.4 refers)
3.3.1
3.4
Action
Marie confirmed that she and Alistair had met with Gavin
Whitefield and Morag Hay of North Lanarkshire Council
during which they discussed the possibility of a pilot across
the local authority. To take this to the next stage, a
meeting is now being arranged with the North Lanarkshire
eGovernment representative. Marie will provide Board
Members with an update at the next meeting.
There were no other significant matters arising that did not feature
on the agenda.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
3
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
4.
Declarations of Interest
4.1
5.
Due Date
None.
Organisational Development Programme Update
5.1
Programme Progress Update
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
Board Members noted that the Organisational
Development Committee did not meet in May because we
are still awaiting feedback from the Scottish Government
on the LTS review implementation paper. However, rather
than postpone further, officers will move forward on
development of both the supplementary papers and LTS
Strategic Objectives with a view to updating the Board at
the next meeting.
Eileen
18.8.10
Eileen also explained that, over the course of the next few
weeks, the CMT will be taking stock of the Programme’s
focus, priorities and approach. The Board will receive a
report on any proposed changes at the next meeting.
Eileen
18.8.10
Other updates included:
i)
Good progress is being made on the knowledge
agenda and work is now underway to identify
business requirements in more detail.
ii)
Engagement with staff continues and reports have
now been received from the three Focus Groups
(People, Sustainability, External Communications).
iii)
An All Staff Meeting is taking place on 22 June to
provide staff with an update on the OD Programme
activities, as well as setting out what lies ahead.
iv)
Corporate Services staff are undertaking work on an
Options Appraisal of the LTS offices and services in
Dundee.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
4
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
5.2
5.3
Due Date
LTS Funding Model
5.2.1
Bernard reminded the Board of the current position in
relation to the way LTS is funded, where LTS is often
working from both an indicative as well as annual budget.
5.2.2
LTS is expecting that for 2010/11 the Scottish Government
will cluster a number of single budget streams. In future,
however, the aim is to move to an outcomes budget which
will give the Board more control over LTS’s strategy and
more flexibility in terms of delivery.
5.2.3
Initial discussions have taken place with PwC and ScottMoncrieff based on an outline scope which was included in
the paper for the Board’s comment. The shape of the
budget will determine what the Scottish Government asks
LTS to do and will also affect the shape of the staffing
profile.
5.2.4
Graeme commented on ‘commercialisation’ and said that
the Scottish Government is looking at where they can
commercialise good work within Scotland and the UK, as
well as internationally. For example, Glow and digital
scanning with Historic Scotland.
5.2.5
Christine said that the LTS approach is in keeping with
other parts of the public sector. Most local authorities have
looked at outsourced Trusts for Arts and Leisure and these
will be outcomes focused and delivered through the local
authority performance management system.
5.2.6
The Board agreed with the proposed outline scope and
supported the work being undertaken by officers.
NDPB – Scottish Government Shared Services Project
5.3.1
Eileen gave a brief report to the Board which explained the
purpose and intended outcomes from this project. The
project is being led by Stephen Devine (Scottish
Government) and is currently scheduled to report by the
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
5
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
Marie
21.10.10
end of June. The report is expected to include five
practical shared services opportunities to be taken forward
and these will be developed into projects that will deliver
significant savings during the next spending review period.
5.3.2
The Board noted that LTS has contributed financially to the
NDPB Shared Services group.
5.3.3
Christine commented that North Lanarkshire is leading on
the Waste Management strand of the Arbuthnott
recommendations and there is still energy within
authorities to take shared services forward. Christine
suggested that, on the basis that 28 out of 32 local
authorities use SEEMIS, it may be worth some further
investigation to determine any possible connections with
Glow.
5.3.4
6.
Eileen added that LTS had recently met with SQA
colleagues and identified further potential opportunities for
sharing services.
Deputy Chair’s Report
6.1
6.2
Recruitment of New Chair
6.1.1
Graeme reminded Board Members that the call for
applications was issued on 30 April with a closing date of
28 May and our understanding was that the process was
progressing. However, recent advice from the Scottish
Government (Maureen Verrall, Deputy Director, QuAS) is
that the process will be deferred.
6.1.2
Graeme has asked the Scottish Government for a written
statement which will be circulated to Board Members in
due course.
Catherine
Jun 10
Board Member Remuneration
6.2.1
Alistair reminded Board Members of previous discussions
and referred to the Board’s request that Alistair progress
with colleagues in the Scottish Government.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
6
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
6.3
6.2.2
Alistair advised that should Board Members agree to
pursue this matter, it would be necessary to submit a
business case for sign off by Scottish Government Pay
Policy. As discussed previously, the strong argument for
doing so would be on the basis of equality, diversity and
inclusion. The Scottish Government Remuneration Group
would then review the business case, but for new Board
Members only.
6.2.3
Board Members noted the position and also noted that the
Audit Scotland Review of Boards Study was due to publish
its findings in June. It was agreed that it would be sensible
to wait for the outcome of that study before progressing
this matter further. However, going forward, the Board
would also keep a watching brief on equalities in relation to
the wider community engagement.
Due Date
Alistair
21.10.10
LTS Board Re-Appointments
6.3.1
6.4
Action
Letters have been sent from the Minister, Keith Brown, to
Graeme and Jim confirming reappointment to the LTS
Board for a further 4 years. Board Members also noted
that Carole will be stepping down from the LTS Board on
31 August 2010.
Quarterly Meeting with Scottish Government Director Learning
6.4.1
Graeme then gave a summary of the key points from his
recent meeting with Colin MacLean, Director Learning at
the Scottish Government. Discussion included:
i)
Scottish Government Priority areas for LTS: CfE;
Glow; partnerships.
ii)
LTS Response to the Review: SG is currently
working through this with Ministers and Ministers
are thinking longterm.
iii)
Single budget for LTS: SG working on this, but it
will not be this financial year.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
7
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
7.
iv)
Shared services and efficiencies amongst NDPBs.
v)
Progress with the meeting of the LTS / SQA
Boards.
Due Date
Chief Executive’s Report
7.1
Curriculum for Excellence, Assessment and Glow
Alan spoke to this section and highlighted a number of areas
including:
7.1.1
LTS is working very closely with HMIE in shaping up
activities between August and December, liaising on
planning and delivery to ensure there are complementary
activities. A Project Board comprising LTS / HMIE / ADES
has been formed to oversee this work.
7.1.2
The Assessment exemplars has proven to be one of the
main engagement and support successes in CfE so far
and LTS has taken the lead on this. The next set of
materials will go through the quality assurance process
and will be published online during June / July. Visits to
the Assessment exemplar section of the LTS website have
increased dramatically over the last few weeks.
7.1.3
Referring to the Cabinet Secretary’s Ten Point Plan,
Carole questioned the effectiveness of the mechanism
through which schools could ask for further assistance with
implementation of CfE. Carole also suggested that further
clarity about the NAR exemplar materials would be helpful
to ensure that teachers understand that these are not
assessment materials.
7.1.4
Bernard advised that the policy lines on reporting had not
yet been finalised. Also, it is not intended that the NAR will
have fully worked through examples of assessment, and
again, it is about managing expectations, perhaps through
the Cabinet Secretary’s stakeholder group.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
8
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
7.2
7.1.5
Christine’s view was that development of the exemplar
materials had been a big success and LTS should be
congratulated. The exemplars are at the early
development stage and something that has to be ongoing.
Most of Christine’s staff reported their involvement in
developing the materials as really good CPD. It was
explained that the exemplars were always intended to
reflect good practice and not assessment. Alan added that
reporting and profiling was being dealt with through the
CfE Management Board.
7.1.6
The Board agreed on the importance of communicating
this and noted that the Scottish Government has an
ongoing joint (Scottish Government + partners)
communications plan and that the CfE Management Board
papers, once approved, are also published on the website.
7.1.7
Iain asked about support and CPD materials specifically
relating to the 2009 Additional Support for Learning and
Code of Practice and how these would link with CfE. Anne
advised that LTS had not yet received any detail from the
Scottish Government and offered to provide an update at
the next Board Meeting.
The Board noted the report.
LTS Website Re-development Project
7.4.1
7.5
The Board noted the report.
LTS CPD Pilots with Local Authorities
7.3.1
7.4
18.8.10
LTS / SQA Joint Planning
7.2.1
7.3
Anne
Due Date
The Board noted the report.
LL Online
7.5.1
The Board noted the report.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
9
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
7.6
7.7
Games Technologies
7.6.1
Marie reported on some of the work underway within the
Learning and Technology Futures team, including the role
of the virtual world. LTS has been working closely with
Historic Scotland and recently met with their SMT. Historic
Scotland has a major piece of work underway called The
Scottish Ten which involves digitally scanning 5 Scottish
and 5 international world heritage sites, for example,
Mount Rushmore.
7.6.2
LTS will be exploring the opportunities to involve learners
in projects using this sort of technology. The Board also
noted that there are plans to rescan the Bannockburn
Visitors Centre and it is likely that LTS will be represented
on that project board.
Interconnect Completion Update
7.7.1
7.8
The Board noted the report.
Internet Safety
7.8.1
7.9
Due Date
The Board noted the report.
Scottish Learning Festival 2010
7.9.1
Kay advised that this is the first time the conference
programme has been made available exclusively online.
Registrations are currently on a par with last year and
figures are similarly on a par for the three main keynotes.
Spotlight registrations are also going well with Assessment
attracting the highest number.
7.9.2
Other points to note were as follows:
i)
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
Another major innovation is much greater
involvement of pupil participation with senior pupils
involved in chairing sessions.
10
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
ii)
The exhibition is also on target and the intention this
year is to have more showcase events on the LTS
stand.
iii)
Twilight sessions will be held on the Wednesday
evening.
iv)
There has been no further update from the Scottish
Government on involvement of ‘iconic Scottish
figures’, eg Nick Nairn providing input on a seminar
re healthy eating. LTS has been looking at models
for involvement and put forward suggestions to
Colin MacLean, but there has been no feedback as
yet.
Due Date
7.10 Dundee Office Lease Arrangements
7.10.1
8.
Alistair confirmed that the lease at the Overgate in Dundee
would be extended (fourth extension) until end March
2011. The Board noted that, as part of the Organisational
Development Programme, officers are carrying out an
options appraisal of our Dundee office and Distribution
Centre.
Glow Futures Procurement and Governance
i)
Bernard reminded Board Members of the increased responsibility on
both the Board and CMT as a result of the terms outlined in the
Mandate from the Scottish Government.
ii)
In line with OGC principles, LTS has now completed the process of
establishing the Glow Futures Programme Board with Bernard
appointed as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO). The first meeting
took place on 8 June. LTS will also be using Gateway Review at
various stages within the Programme life cycle to ensure that
Programme is being managed effectively and deliverables are being
met.
iii)
The papers being presented to the Board are intended to give Board
Members an indication of the approach and direction, and to make
Board Members aware of the formalised assurance processes that
are now in place within LTS.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
11
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
8.1
Governance Structure – Roles and Responsibilities
8.1.1
8.2
Board Members noted the outline procurement paper and
that a phased procurement approach is being considered.
However, this particular strategy requires to be fully risk
assessed and will, therefore, come back to the Board for
discussion and approval.
Engagement with Industry and Stakeholders
8.3.1
8.4
Alistair referred Board Members to the roles and
responsibilities outlined in the structure diagram, noting the
liaison / representative from the Scottish Government.
Draft Outline Procurement Strategy and Options Appraisal
8.2.1
8.3
Due Date
Marie confirmed that LTS has a major horizon scanning
programme underway and is engaging, at a strategic level,
with many of the ICT companies likely to have the type of
services that would be considered as part of Glow Futures.
The National Consultation is, of course, also in progress.
Risk Evaluation
8.4.1
The Board noted that a full risk workshop is taking place
and detailed risk assessment will be carried out. In the
meantime, the key risks have been identified and
mitigating actions put in place.
8.4.2
[ Not Disclosed ]
8.4.3
Jacqui asked about implications for LTS as a result of
recent developments regarding the future of Becta.
Bernard confirmed that officers are putting together a brief
paper outlining what the loss will be and what LTS could
potentially do in response.
8.4.4
The Board noted that the Chief Executive of C2K (Northern
Ireland project set up to deliver high quality, sustainable
infrastructure, connectivity and resources to schools) has
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
12
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
already been in contact with Bernard seeking an
opportunity for early discussions with LTS.
8.4.5
[ Not disclosed ]
8.4.6
[ Not disclosed ]
8.4.7
Bernard stated that further work will be undertaken around
the procurement strategy through the Glow Futures
Programme Board and a paper will then be brought to the
Board on the risks associated with the phased model.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
13
Alistair
18.8.10
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
9.
9.2
Alistair
18.8.10
Alistair presented the report and drew attention to the following
points:
9.1.1
As at April 2010 Glow Futures was showing ‘red’ status.
However, now that the Programme Board has been
established and the first meeting has taken place, the
status will reduce.
9.1.2
Work on integrating the Communities Team work plans is
continuing and more detail on this will be included within
the next report.
9.1.3
The formal grant letter for 2010/11 with detailed funding for
the programmes has not yet been received.
Graeme noted that it will be important that the Corporate
Performance report is clearly aligned to the remit deliverables within
the Annual Business Plan.
Advisory Council
10.1
11.
Due Date
Corporate Performance Report
9.1
10.
Action
The Board noted the Minute from the last meeting. Graeme advised
Board Members that Louise is still recuperating and her health is
much improved.
Items for Noting
11.1 Finance Reports – March and April 2010
11.1.1
Alistair commented that the Management Accounts
showed a modest deficit of £1,700 in March 2010.
However, since receiving the FRS 17 valuation, LTS’s
pension liability as at 31 March 2010 now shows a
significant deterioration. The implication of this is that the
liability has increased from £2.7m at 31 March 09 to £8.3m
at 31 March 2010. In Balance Sheet terms this pushes
LTS into a £1.5m overall deficit. This particular issue is
due to go to the Audit Committee on 26 June and will then
come to the Board on 18 August.
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
14
B.Mins.03/10
Minutes
Action
Due Date
11.2 Media Update – April and May 2010
11.2.1
Noted.
11.3 Advisory Council Minutes – 16 March 2010
11.3.1
Noted.
11.4 Remuneration Committee Minutes – 1 June 2010.
11.4.1
12.
Noted. Discussion took place in Closed Session.
AOB
12.1 Carole’s Retirement from the Board
12.1.1
13.
Graeme advised Board Members that Carole would be
retiring from the LTS Board on 31 August 2010 and,
therefore, August would be Carole’s last Board Meeting.
An informal lunch will take place after the meeting in the
Dundee office.
Date of Next Meeting
13.1 The next meeting is scheduled to take place at 11am on Wednesday
18 August in the Baxter Room, City House, Overgate, Dundee.
Approved by:
______________________________________
Graeme Ogilvy, Deputy Chair
Date: _________________
Approved by:
______________________________________
Alistair Gordon, Company Secretary
Date: _________________
Meeting of the Board of Directors
16 June 2010
15
B.Mins.03/10