LINCOLN COLLEGE
Minutes of a meeting of the Corporation held at Lincoln College on 13 July 2010 at 1715 hrs.
Present
In Attendance
Apologies
Ian Shaw
John Allen
Jim Barrie
(Chairman)
(Principal)
John Cawdell
Pat Doody
Neil Main
Frances Mannsaker
Alex Meech (Items 66-79/09 only)
Perdita Mousley
Elaine Rossall
Margaret Serna
Sandra Simmonds
Andrew Argyle(Item (Items66-
David Coates
Paul Deane
74/09 only)
(Clerk Designate)(Not 83/09)
(VP (P&F))(Not 83/09)
Ralph Devereux
Ian Sackree
(Clerk)
(VP (CR))(Not 83/09)
Jim Dixon
Hannah Dytam
George Lee
Gordon Gillespie
Claire O’Hara
(VP Q&C)
a. The meeting was preceded by a presentation by Simon Plummer (Director of OLASS). (Attached to the
filed copy of these minutes)
b. Andrew Argyle Jim Dixon, Neil Main, Sandra Simmonds had all drawn to the end of their terms of
office, thanks were recorded for their contribution and all were presented with an engraved decanter.
c. The Clerk was also leaving and he was presented with an engraved decanter, the incoming Clerk
David Coates was introduced to the Board.
66/09
ELIGIBILITY, QUORUM, DECLARATION OF INTERESTS AND APOLOGIES
The apologies were accepted. No notice had been received of any Member becoming ineligible to
hold office. The meeting was quorate and there were no interests declared.
67/09
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
a. John Cawdell proposed and Neil Main seconded Ian Shaw as Chairman, there were no other
nominations; carried unanimously.
b. Frances Mannsaker nominated and Jim Barrie seconded Margaret Serna as Vice-Chairman,
there were no other nominations; carried unanimously.
Ian Shaw and Margaret Serna were elected as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively
for 20010/11.
68/09
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2010 were confirmed and signed.
69/09
MATTERS ARISING AND NOTIFICATION OF URGENT BUSINESS
a. There were no matters arising from the minutes.
b. There was no urgent business requested.
70/09
MINUTES OF AND MATTERS ARISING FROM COMMITTEE AND OTHER MEETINGS
Minutes of Committee and other meetings were considered as listed:
a. Finance Committee.
(i) 18 May 2010 (Confirmed). The minutes of the 23 February Finance Committee meeting were
explained by the Committee Chairman and were noted.
(ii) 13 July 2010. (Verbal). The Committee Chairman outlined the meeting held earlier that day.
b. Standards Committee. 22 June 2010. (Unconfirmed) The minutes of the 2 March Standards
Committee meeting were explained by the Committee Chairman and were noted.
The minutes were received and noted.
71/09
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The recent flurry of announcements and policy changes since the general election were
considered with emphasis on the affect they would have on FE; the new FE Minister is a
Lincolnshire MP, John Hayes. Of particular note was the announcement of a “Renewal Grant”
from a reallocation by the SFA of TTG funding; £50m was available to be split between those
colleges who had not recently received capital funding, £30m would be split equally between the
colleges (£225k each) provided that each recipient would match the funding with £450k. This
element of the scheme was available for longer term projects, which would benefit students by
improving the estate and which must be completed by September 2011. The second element of
the DFE Grant (Enhanced Renewal Grant) was an option to bid for up to £1m for specific projects,
again matched by the recipient with £2m, which would have to be borrowed, providing a total
maximum of £3m. Plans for “Newark Sixth” proceeded well and since recent poor OfSTED
showings meant that both secondary schools in Newark were in special measures there was
considerable optimism regarding enrolment although a 2-3 year recruitment pattern will need to
be noted to measure success. Changes to the eligibility of the qualification and unwaged
students, which funds the musical instrument technology provision would result in an inevitable
fee rise and the future of the provision would have to be discussed.
The report was received and the detail was noted.
72/09
FINANCE REPORT (Presentation)
The finance report, delivered as an electronic presentation, was considered and discussed.
(Attached to the filed copy of these minutes)
The Information was received.
73/09
FUNDING UPDATE
Recent announcements from the DfE and SFA had been positive and allowed far more flexibility
in application of funds; these were clearly detailed within the supporting paperwork and were full
discussed, noted and welcomed.
The information was received.
74/09
FINANCIAL PLANS
a.
Budget 2010/11. The 2009/10 budget had been updated from the version presented at
the strategic planning session on 19 May and a comprehensive briefing report including
detailed explanations of income and expenditure had been scrutinised at length by the FC
when planning assumptions had been fully discussed. All income streams had been
confirmed and a total forecast income of >£42m. Expenditure remained challenging
however provision for an unconsolidated 1% pay award and a £250k contingency
element had been included in the budget; OLASS was expected to continue to require
close monitoring although performing better than originally expected. Robust cost
efficiencies had been applied to all non pay lines, which were now at the minimum level
without detriment to delivery, this also applied to capital expenditure. The surplus of
£446k, at 1% of turnover was in line with the strategic financial target. It was agreed that
the forthcoming year would be continue to be challenging; the budget had been
recommended to the Corporation and that was accepted and the budget approved.
Andrew Argyle left the meeting
b.
3-Year Financial Plan and Financial Forecast. The 3-Year financial forecast to the
direction published by the AoC in May was considered; the first year forecast was the
budget for 20010/11, which it had been agreed would require regular and rigorous review.
Several assumptions were detailed in the supporting papers, including staff costs
increases at 1% for the first year only. The uncertainty over the national financial situation
meant that the figures should be treated with caution but represented the best forecast
using the currently available information. Notwithstanding the immediate funding
challenges, the financial health as defined by the FFE criteria remained “Good” for the life
of the forecast. The 3-Year financial forecast had been recommended to the Corporation,
that was accepted and the budget was approved.
c.
ISIS Budget 2009/10. The financial plans and statements of ISIS training were now
consolidated with the college accounts and the same procedure for planning had been
followed with the 3 year financial forecast now included in the main plan. Based on the
strong performance this year income was confidently expected to reach £1.4m during
2010/11 whilst expenditure of £1.2m should result in a surplus of £200k. It was agreed as
a strong outlook; the budget had been recommended to the Corporation and that was
accepted and the budget was approved.
a. The College Budget and 3-Year financial forecast was approved.
b. The ISIS Budget was approved.
75/09
MEMBERS’ VISIT FEEDBACK
The focus lunch meeting continued to be successful as a valuable and fruitful means of hearing
learner voice. The format of an informal buffet lunch followed by a visit to the Schools concerned
was agreed, by the members involved, as an appropriate and effective medium to facilitate
informal exchanges. The last visit to the Care and Salon area had provided ample opportunity to
meet staff and students informally. The visit had lasted for around 2 hours including lunch and
balanced the benefits against the effect on the school and student organisation. The overall
impression had been one of willingness to communicate by the staff and students, a continuing
sense of pride by the students in their work and achievements mirrored by confidence in the
school and college. Several valuable communications had been received highlighting points
made during the exchanges and these were being actioned. (Attached to the filed copy of these minutes)
The information was received and noted.
76/09
RM ANNUAL REPORT
The annual RM report, including the current risk register, was considered and discussed to
amplify the 3-Year financial plan; there were now 17 “Significant” risks, which were examined
individually and approved.
a.
b.
77/09
The RM annual report was noted.
The Risk Register was approved.
CLERKING ISSUES
a.
Awayday. A consolidated report on members’ individual critiques of the awayday
elements was discussed and it was agreed this should inform next year’s planning.
b.
Schedule of meetings. The 15 March Standards Meeting was changed to 15 February.
There was discussion on whether to move the mid-year corporation training half-day from
December to October and it was agreed to raise the issue at the members individual
exchanges with the Chairman and arrange accordingly.
c.
The recent staff member election had returned Hazel Delahan to the post, replacing
Hannah Dytam; thanks were recorded to Hannah for her contribution and the Chairman
would write and thank her personally.
a. The information was received,
b. The date for the Autumn/winter training day would be notified.
78/09
STRATEGIC PLAN – UPDATE
The Strategic Plan for 2009/11, detailed to a similar concise format as the previous year, was
considered and discussed. The plan although no longer a formal requirement contained all key
strategies and targets and was an extremely useful management tool. A mid year report will be
presented to the Board. The Board approved the release of a positive PR statement announcing
its intention to fully redevelop Deans Building.
The Strategic Plan 20010/13 was approved.
79/09
PROPERTY STRATEGY – UPDATE
An update on the property strategy agreed at the awayday was discussed and the various
schemes detailed in a clear table for ease of reference. Progress with the Dean’s Building project
was particularly noted. Notice had been received of a “Renewal Grant” and this had been
discussed at 71/09; both elements of this funding would be sought.
The information was noted.
Alex Meech left the meeting
80/09
SUSTAINABILITY – ANNUAL REPORT
There were no changes proposed to the Sustainability Policy, continuing commitment to the aims
had been reiterated at the staff conference and progress through the year to meet the
requirements were considered.
81/09
URGENT BUSINESS
There had been no urgent business agreed.
82/09
FEEDBACK ON THE GIP
There were no general comments regarding the GIP.
83/09
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would be on 19 October 2010.
All members of the public, those in attendance, staff and students left the meeting.
83/09
CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS
Signed:
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Dated:
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