Minutes of the meeting of the Corporation
held on Monday 20 July 2015 at 4.45 pm
in the Cleveland room at Bailbrook House Hotel.
Carole Stott
Andy Furse
Matt Atkinson
Donna Baddeley
Victor da Cunha
Louise Fradd
Richard Harvey
Kez Hawkins
Paul Myers
Larissa Perry
Jane Shaw
James Wallace
Gary Waylen
Emma Yates
Julian Young
In attendance
Heather Cross
Judy Lye-Forster
Rob Sibley
Julian Tucker
1.
Chair
Apologies
Principal
Apologies
Apologies
Apologies
(Appointed as governor
during the meeting)
Apologies
Clerk to the Corporation
Vice Principal Quality and
Students (VPQS)
Vice Principal
Curriculum(VPC)
Executive Director of
Finance (EDoF)
Apologies and welcome
Apologies were received from Victor da Cunha, Louise Fradd, Andy
Furse, Larissa Perry and Emma Yates. The Clerk reported that
Emma had also tendered her resignation as she had been finding
attendance increasingly difficult.
Kez Hawkins, the new Student President was welcomed to the
meeting and introductions were made.
2.
Declarations of Interest
James Wallace declared an interest in item 15 and took no part in
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the decision concerning his re-appointment. Donna Baddeley
declared an interest in an aspect relating to item 6a.
3.
Confidentiality of Items
Item 11 was a confidential item and would be minuted separately.
4.
Minutes of the meeting of the Corporation held on 22 June
2015 and any matters arising
The minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2015 which had been
circulated were agreed as a true record of the meeting and were
signed by the Chair.
5.
Chair’s Opening Remarks
The Chair drew governors’ attention to two key documents recently
published by the government, one only published earlier that day.
The document associated with the recent Budget, ‘Fixing the
Foundations: Creating a more prosperous nation’ had included a
series of key proposals concerning FE in addition to HE and
schools. The proposals were the reshaping of local provision and
commissioning; the development of a network of Institutes of
Technology; a radical reshaping once more of qualifications and
funding including foundation level English and maths; three million
apprenticeships with a levy on employers with large employers
exempt where they take on significant numbers of apprentices; the
removal of the cap on numbers for HE; a UTC within reach of every
city in the country; moves to improve teaching with inadequate
schools moved to academies. There was a strong role of localism in
all these proposals.
The document published that day was entitled ‘Reviewing post 16
Education and Training Institutions’ and was proposing fewer, often
larger colleges, with more specialisation, especially at higher levels.
All colleges were expected to take part in steering groups to
conduct reviews to consider the offer in their area alongside LEPs,
local authorities and Commissioners. It was expected that the
reviews would be concluded by spring 2017 and although they were
intended to be conducted independently, there was a reminder that
central government did have funding powers to intervene. However,
the circulated paper did not give the details of the process which
would not be published until August 2015. It was not anticipated at
this stage that any funding would be provided for the process.
The Clerk would circulate the links to the two documents.
6.
Estates Strategy
a.
Consideration of the Estates Strategy
The proposed Estates Strategy document had been circulated
previously. The Principal reminded governors that the document
had been developed through the Estates Strategy Working Group,
chaired by Colin Darracott, a former governor and other members
comprised Victor da Cunha, Louise Fradd and himself.
The Strategic Estates Objectives were considered. These were
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closely linked to the college’s vision to support economic
development and other future priorities. There was discussion in
particular about the wording of the objective concerning the
ownership and stewardship of the estate and it was decided that
the Principal should review this again to be satisfied that it did not
preclude exploring opportunities to further the strategic ambition of
the college which may emerge in future. The principle of retaining
the college estate and making it work for the college was endorsed,
whilst it was accepted that the current estate overall was too large
and rationalisation, space reductions and the achievement of
efficiencies and economies of scale were required.
The role of partnerships was welcomed. The vision for both the City
Centre and Somer Valley campuses were considered and
endorsed. It was suggested that the reference to the estate should
be described as the college’s most valuable financial asset.
There was discussion about the importance of social space for
students and the Principal referred to a useful report on how this
could be developed at the City Centre campus which was part of
his thinking about future detailed proposals. The report had been
prepared by the previous student governor.
It was suggested that the strategy could be enhanced by the
inclusion of some appropriate references to the very recently
published government documents ‘Fixing the Foundations’ and
‘Reviewing post-16 Education and Training Institutions’ and the
recognition of LEP priorities.
An action plan had been provided in addition to the strategy
document to indicate work to be undertaken, and governors
recognised this as the implementation schedule for the strategy.
The Estates Strategy was approved, subject to the minor
additions and wording changes as discussed.
b.
Submission of Capital Bid to West of England LEP
A report concerning the proposed capital bid had been circulated.
The Principal introduced the report. He reminded governors that the
relocation of all construction provision to the Somer Valley Campus
was part of the vision put forward in the merger proposals and had
been endorsed as part of the Estates Strategy which had just been
approved. To support the vision a new purpose built facility was
required to bring all construction together in one location and one
building.
An expression of interest application for the project had been given
approval by the LEP and a funding intervention rate of 75% secured
through that process. Whilst the cost of the project, following
detailed work by quantity surveyors, had increased by £300,000, to
£3.3m in total, there were indications that the percentage level of
support would still be given against this slightly higher sum. It was
intended that the 25% funding gap be met through a deal with Bath
Principal
and North East Somerset council on the Westside building at
Somer valley Campus to become a local authority supported
business growth and innovation centre.
The Principal informed governors about the negotiations taking
place with the local authority concerning the contract for their use of
the Westside building, but the principle of using it for a business
centre had been accepted.
The Project Summary and outline scheme for the specialist
construction skills centre developed to RIBA stage C was reviewed.
A pre-planning application was due to be submitted imminently and
a project team engaged for this first stage, costs for which had not
exceeded £10,000. It was noted that if the project achieved full LEP
support a full tendering exercise to appoint the full project team
would be implemented.
The Corporation approved the submission of the second stage
capital application to the West of England Local Enterprise
Partnership for funding to support the construction of a new
Construction Skills Training Centre on the Somer Valley
Campus.
c.
Vision Statement
The draft vision statement which had been circulated was
discussed. The
Principal talked about the development of the statement which had
started with the stakeholder day held at Yeo Valley a couple of
months previously and recent consultation which had taken place
with staff. The concept of ‘economic development, career
development and self-development’ had been received well. The
reach for the college would now be seen as the West of England. In
discussion governors suggested that the tone and language of the
document should be reviewed but the messages were exactly right,
provided there was an adjustment to reflect the wider reach of the
college.
The strategic objectives were the next task to complete and it was
agreed that these be considered at a meeting in September. The
Clerk would identify a date for the meeting. It would be of value to
get employers involvement in developing the objectives too.
Governors were encouraged to submit ideas in advance so that
these could be built in to the early development of the objectives.
7.
Budget for 2015-16 and Finance Working Group
A proposed budget had been circulated. It was announced that only
that day all colleges had been advised of a 3.9% cut to their adult
skills budget for the year about to commence on 1 August 2015. It
was proposed that largely this would be addressed through reduced
work with sub-contractors and it was agreed that this line in the
budget be amended to reflect the change and the overall surplus be
amended to £18,000. The Executive Director of Finance reminded
governors that the Finance Working Group had reviewed the draft
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All
budget in detail as prepared prior to that day’s announcement. It
was noted that the budget included provision for a pay award, but
any implementation would be the subject of a separate subsequent
proposal to the Board. The requested report was also to address
arrangements for how all college staff should be paid at least to the
level of the living wage.
EdoF/Principal
The recommended budget, two year plan and commentary
were all approved.
The recommendations for capital expenditure were considered
and approved.
8.
HE Review Self-evaluation document
A covering report and the self-evaluation document which had been
submitted to QAA and prepared with the assistance of an
independent consultant had been circulated previously. It was
noted that the QAA HE review would take place during the week
commencing 5 October 2015. The consultant would be continuing
his work prior to the review, including focus groups and mock
interviews for those called to speak to the HE review team.
It was noted that unfortunately the student submission, which of
necessity was prepared independently, was not a strong document.
It was noted that the college was addressing all the points raised in
that document. It had been planned that one of the HE student
representatives was to have met governors at their recent,
postponed strategy day, but instead the Chair and members of the
Quality Working Group would meet with the student representatives
as soon as convenient on a date to be arranged.
The Board thanked and congratulated Judy Lye-Forster on the
huge amount of work required to prepare and submit the selfevaluation document.
9.
Key Performance Indicator Monitoring
The latest report was reviewed, which addressed the Skills Funding
and Education Funding Agencies contracts, had been circulated. It
was noted that performance against EFA 16-18 learner numbers
was strong for the City of Bath College contract, but not for the
Norton Radstock contract. It was expected that the full allocation for
apprenticeships would be achieved for City of Bath contract, but not
for Norton Radstock. Achievement of adult skills budget funding
was significantluy under target for both contracts, but there would
be no claw back for Norton Radstock. Applications to City Centre
campus were up on last year, but acceptances were down. Both
applications and acceptances were very low at Somer Valley
Campus.
The report was received.
10.
Teaching and Learning report – Quality Cycle and Framework
The draft quality cycle and framework for the 2015-16 year had
been circulated. This encompassed the work undertaken across the
whole college on both campuses. The cycle had been reviewed at
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the Quality Working Group.
It was agreed that reporting to the Corporation would be monthly on
aspects of quality pertinent to the point in the academic year and
quality cycle, with specific focus on activity identified as high risk or
poor quality and standards. The proposed framework would be
mapped against the new Common Inspection framework once this
was released shortly (due in July 2015).
11.
Norton Radstock 2014-15 Accounts (year end 6 April 2015)
Draft Accounts together with a report from the Financial Statements
Auditors, Moore Stephens, and a letter of representation from the
Norton Radstock Corporation had been circulated. It was noted that
the accounts should be submitted to the Skills Funding Agency and
that whilst of course it was an unusual position for the successor
college to be in, to be asked to approve the accounts of the
previous college, it was a requirement. The Chair of the Audit
Committee informed the meeting that the committee had had an
opportunity to question the auditor and to scrutinise the accounts in
detail prior to them being brought to the Corporation. Some
amendments had been made to the submitted document as a
result, as described in the minutes of the committee which had
been laid on the table.
It was Resolved that the Management Report from Moore
Stephens be noted, approval be given to the signing of the
Letter of Representation and that the Norton Radstock
Financial Statements to 6 April 2015 be approved, and the
Chair and Principal authorised to sign them.
12.
University of Bath International Foundation Year –
CONFIDENTIAL item – see separate minutes
13.
Risk Register for 2015-16
A proposed risk register for 2015-16 had been circulated. It was
noted that the college would no longer be maintaining a strategic
risk register and a merger risk register, but that remaining risks
associated with the merger had been included in the main college
risk register.
The meeting reviewed the risks and considered and approved
the document.
14.
Bath Education Trust Annual Operating Plan
The annual operating plan for Bath Education Trust which had
been circulated previously was approved. It was noted that all
governing bodies of member institutions
15.
Governance Appointments proposals
A report had been circulated concerning a number of governor
appointment matters.
The proposal to reduce the number of staff governor positions to
one, in view of the smaller board composition was considered. This
had been the subject of consultation with staff through the staff
focus groups. It was proposed that when the current incumbent’s
term of office expired that the appointment arrangement be
amended from an election to an appointment process via the
Search and Governance Working Group. The Clerk reported that
both these changes required amendments be made to the Articles
of Government.
The reduction of the number of places for staff governors to
one and the use of an appointment process were approved.
The Clerk was requested to draw up changes to the Articles of
Government for approval to reflect these agreed changes.
A proposal for the appointment of Jane Shaw as a governor, with
immediate effect, was considered. Jane Shaw’s appointment was
approved. The Chair welcomed Jane to the Board as a member.
A proposal for the re-appointment of James Wallace as a governor
for one year to the end of November 2016 was considered. It was
noted that the Board had determined that only in exceptional
circumstances would a governor serve beyond a maximum of 8
years, but with the consolidation of quality matters following merger,
the retention of his expertise would be very valuable. James
Wallace’s re-appointment to the end of November 2016 was
approved.
16.
Events/|College activities attended
The Chair reminded governors that this item had been agreed to be
a regular agenda item, as a means for them to report on and log
any visits or activities to the college in which they had taken part. A
number of governors had attended the recent graduation event and
many had attended the annual art show which had as usual been of
a very high standard.
17.
Notes of the Estates Working Group
The notes of the meeting held on 24 June 2015 which had been
circulated were received.
18.
Notes of the Finance Working Group
The notes of the meeting held on 6 July 2015 which were laid on
the table were received.
19.
Minutes of the Audit Committee
The minutes of the Audit Committee held on Monday 13 July 2015
which were laid on the table were received.
20.
Any Other Business
None.
21.
Date of Next meeting
This was confirmed, as previously agreed as part of the 2015/16
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calendar, for Monday 12 October 2015 at 4.45 pm at Somer Valley
Campus. [Subsequent to the meeting it was determined there
should be a special meeting to take place in September, potentially
on Wednesday 23 September 2015.]