Borders College
ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION COUNCIL MEETING
Meeting held on Monday 7 February 2011 at 2.30 pm
Location: Room 007, Newtown Campus
MINUTE
Present:
ITEM
01/11
Ivan Baldwin (Horticultural Chair)
Lyle Bryson (Landscaping)
John Davidson (Agriculture Level 1)
Jim Gilchrist (Programme Leader – Construction))
Sam Gillespie (Landbased)
Angus Gunn (Landscaping)
Andrew Johnson (Programme Leader - Rural)
David Killean (Vice Principal – Quality & Innovation)
Andrew Lees (Rural Mechanics)
Susan Maltman (Clerk)
James Paxton (Landbased)
Zoey Stillwell (Horse Care Level 1)
Kenny Thomson (Head of Faculty)
Jacqueline Tunnah (Horse Care Level 2)
Chair: I Baldwin
Welcome:
Ivan welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies:
H Chisholm (Student Association Coordinator)
A Winwood (Programme Leader – Rural)
ACTION
Minutes and Action Points from the previous meeting held on Thursday 18
November 2010
Remit booklet for Council meetings: A Johnson confirmed that these had been
distributed to the Student Reps.
Practical and theory work delivered together for HNC Gamekeeping: A Johnson
reported that the structure of the course was to deliver practical and theory separately;
however, this could be discussed further with the Student Reps.
First Bus meeting: It was confirmed that no one could attend this meeting.
Scratch cards: Kenny confirmed that they could only be used in the case of an
emergency.
Unacceptable behaviour in the Common Room: Ivan reported that the behavioural
issues continued in the Common Room. Andy had put up a notice with rules to follow
whilst using this room. If students remained unhappy with the situation of inappropriate
behaviour they were asked to report immediately to Ivan, Andrew or Andy.
Enrolment Day: David reported that present students would be pre-enrolled again this
year, but that communication, re information for them would be improved.
Funding for HNC level students: Andrew explained the rules of the ILA funding process
and reiterated the importance of having an ILA in place prior to the beginning of a
course.
Focus groups: K Thomson reported that he would visit four groups; Animal Care,
Landscaping, Intro to Landbased and one other at random. Kenny explained the
process of Focus group meetings and asked if any of the Student Reps would like their
group to receive a visit. Andrew stated that he would ask his group, Rural Mechanics.
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Student
Reps
Pool table for Common Room: Kenny confirmed that there was not enough space for a
pool table.
AL
Mini buses left dirty: it was agreed that this issue had improved and that mini buses
were being cleaned regularly by each class for the next class to use them.
Car parking: Ivan reported that there was no longer an issue with parking on the
campus.
Communication/messages between staff and students: Andrew agreed that due to staff
being ill and phone disruption this had been a problem. Andrew has investigated
further and the matter has been rectified.
Risk Assessments for activities/trips: David informed Ivan that a list of venues which
had already been assessed by the college was available on the intranet. Andrew
agreed to send a copy of this list to Ivan.
AJ
Up to date notices from the Student Association: Susan reported that Helen had
confirmed she ensured notices in Gala campus were also put up on the notice board at
Newtown campus.
Smoking shelter too small: Kenny reminded the Council that the college held a nonsmoking policy within all campus sites. Kenny added that Facilities would have to
review alternative solutions.
Facilities
Vending machines: Kenny asked if there had been any improvement with the stock in
the machines. The Council reported that by the end of the week the stock was almost
gone. Kenny suggested monitoring the stock daily to help this situation and that he
would investigate further.
KT
Uneven path: Angus reported that the Landscaping students had been focused on the
work at Gala and too busy at present to repair the damaged path. Ongoing.
AG
Broken benches: James confirmed that the benches had been bolted down by the
Intro to Landscape group.
Slippery decking: Kenny reported that the Painting & Decorating section had confirmed
that paint would not resolve the hazard on the decking. An alternative solution would
have to be found.
KT
Overgrown bushes: Ivan reported that this had been actioned.
Lockers too small for kits/PPE: it was agreed that each class should discuss and report
back to Ivan the size of locker they would require for their college kit/PPE.
Security/CCTV cameras: Kenny reported that Facilities had set the cameras at the time
the new building was in progress and at present the position of these could not be
altered.
Empty condom machine: actioned by Facilities.
Layout of new Common Room: Ivan reported that no meeting had been held with Peter
Elliott to discuss suggestions for the new Common Room and that he had been
disappointed with this.
Summary of HMI report: actioned by David.
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Student
Reps
02/11
Feedback from Block 1 – Programme structure, content, quality of learning and
teaching (Student Representatives)
John Davidson (Agricultural Level 1)
John stated that three mini buses were off the road at the moment and staff were
having to use cars to collect students from their practical course work. Andrew agreed
that the campus was having issues with the breakdown of buses. Kenny will discuss
with Robert Hewitt the matter of communication with the campus, re the repairs of the
buses.
Sam Gillespie (Landbased)
Nothing to report from this class. However, Sam asked if there was additional support
available for him within his course. Andrew agreed to discuss this further with Gert, his
Course Tutor.
Jackie Tunnah (on behalf of Gamekeeping)/(Horse Care Level 2)
Gamekeeping
 These students complained of the mess left in the buses by other classes when
they are due to use them. Kenny replied that Course Tutors can take this
matter in hand and check which class last used the bus.
 Students are left at Newtown campus without transport on the days they are in
college for half a day. David explained the way in which the bus passes are
used and that the college tries to be as flexible as possible for all students who
rely on bus transport.
 More practical work would be preferred in this course.
 The Game Butchery course has requested waterproofs of good quality. It was
agreed that this was to be discussed with the Gamekeeping Course Tutor.
 The supplies in the vending machine were constantly empty – (see Action Point
above)
Horse Care Level 2
 The students complained that they had not had a consistent Core Skills Tutor
for three months, which has resulted in the class being behind with class work.
Kenny agreed to take this issue to the Head of Business & Employability.
 One student reported that she has had to wait too long for a bus to arrive in the
evenings whilst attending her work placement. Andrew agreed to investigate
this matter further.
 Travelsure Bus Company has been leaving promptly from the campus at 4.00
pm and some students have missed this bus. Andrew added that he felt this
had been resolved as the driver had been new to the bus run.
Zoey Stillwell (Horse Care Level 1)
 The students in this group have complained about the inappropriate behaviour
displayed by other students in the Common Room. Ivan added that Reps
should not tolerate this and could report to himself to take this issue forward on
behalf of the students.
 The vending machine does not supply varied food. It was agreed that the
machine offered adequate variation.
 A theory day at Gala campus would be more central for students travelling
distances. Kenny replied that a room would have to be booked in advance and
that rooms were not always readily available in Gala campus.
 Zoey stated that she had one travel card for two days work placement. Kenny
replied that officially work placement is for one day only. David added that
Course Tutors can make a case for specific situations. On David’s
recommendation Andrew will ask the Course Tutor to contact Clare Nairn
(Head of Student Services).
James Paxton (Landbased)
Nothing to report as all matters had been previously discussed.
Lyle Bryson (Landscaping)
Nothing to report as all matters had been previously discussed.
Angus Gunn (Landscaping)
Angus asked if the some students could work on theory during allocated work
placement time as they were not able to secure work placements. He added
that extra time would be appreciated due to the volume of paperwork. Kenny
replied that this would be acceptable if Grant is contacted, re the progress of
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KT
AJ
KT
AJ
Reps/IB
AJ
the students’ theory work.
Ivan Baldwin (Landscaping)
Nothing to report as all matters had been previously discussed.
03/11
04/11
Produce report for course team meetings (all)
The Block 1 Team meeting will be held on Thursday 17 February at 9.00 am in
Newtown Campus. The minutes and report from this meeting will be emailed to Ivan
and Student Reps.
SM
Agree student involvement in detailed programme review (Head of Faculty)
Programme reviews will be carried out for Horse Care and Animal Care courses.
Student Reps will be involved with this review and Kenny will give prior notice of the
arranged date.
KT
05/11
Progress report on planned actions from the Course Tutor Initial Feedback
meetings and Head of Faculty focus groups for Block 1 (Head of
Faculty/Programme Leaders)
Andrew stated that the meeting had already discussed matters and taken on board
action points relating to initial feedback.
However, Andrew reiterated the need for students to report anything requiring
immediate attention to himself or Andy and not to wait for the Council meeting.
06/11
Any other business (Chair)
 David asked if Equality and Diversity could be added to the agenda. Susan
agreed to add this item to future Council agendas.
SM

David informed the Council of the new website, Tartan Monkey, which is in the
process of being launched by the Student Association.

David reported that HMI will visit Newtown Campus on Thursday 3 March to
meet with a group of students. Items for discussion; impact of the Student
Council meetings, Student Association and the facilities at the campus.
Ivan agreed to gather six to eight names of students willing to meet HMI.
IB

07/11
David asked for Susan to post Council minutes onto the college website for all
students to access. David will make the necessary arrangements with
Cameron Reith.
Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will be held during the month of March. S Maltman will confirm by
email the date and time.
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DK
SM