The Governing Body Of

THE GOVERNING BODY OF BRENT KNOLL SPECIAL SCHOOL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting of the Resources Committee at 4.30pm on Tuesday 17 November 2015 Present: Mr Jon Sharpe (Headteacher), Mr Cassim Bakharia, Ms Liz Bailey, Ms Grace Cook, Ms Lorraine Humphrey (Vice-Chair), and Mr Tom Livingstone (Chair) Also present Sue Bishop (Clerk)

1. Apologies for absence Apologies were received from Diana Brickell.

2. Minutes RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22.9.15 be approved and signed.

3. Declarations of interest There were no declarations.

4. Premises matters 4.1 Update on the new school, contractual issues and feedback from staff, parents and pupils The headteacher circulated a list of snagging items (post completion defects) and the Committee was pleased to note that these were now considerably reduced. There were however, two significant outstanding items. These were a problem with drainage on the flat roof which was being pursued with the contractors, and the design and acoustics of the lobby did not meet the school’s brief and was being pursued with the local authority.

Externally, there were highways works to be completed including the extension of the zig- zag parking lines, and the crossing barriers.

Cassim Bakharia reported that he had had a meeting with the pupils who had concerns about the toilet bowls being too low for use. The headteacher advised that a decision had been taken that there would be unisex toilet cubicles throughout the school and no urinals.

Catering contract The headteacher reported that Harrisons had served 180 days notice of cancelling the catering contract. He advised that this was because the company was losing money and would therefore probably want to negotiate an increase in meal prices. A meeting was being held with Educo on 20.11.15 to discuss the mater.

RESOLVED that the Committee be provided with an update after the meeting with Educo.

Cleaning contract The headteacher reported that this was going well.

Official opening The headteacher advised that the opening of the new school would be celebrated at the achievements assembly at the end of term, and invitations would be extended to the local authority and Council members as appropriate.

Sue Bishop, Clerk to the Governing Body, Governors’ Services, Directorate for Children and Young People 3rd Floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU Tel: 07710 387905, Email: [email protected] 4.2 SEN transport – feasibility report A paper was tabled which set out the estimated costs of providing assistance for SEN travel. This included eight minibus rounds, two multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) rounds, and management and administration costs. It was noted that the number of minibus rounds was the same as at present, but would use smaller vehicles, and that the MPVs would be available for other uses during the day. The headteacher explained that the school would manage the service and charge the local authority for the costs. Members asked where the vehicles would be kept when not in use and were advised that this was a potential issue but that it may be possible to negotiate space at a local superstore.

RESOLVED that a selection of companies be invited to submit a feasibility report and the matter be further considered at the next meeting.

4.3 Any other premises matters None

5. Finance matters 5.1 Budget monitoring report 2015/16 The Committee considered a budget monitoring report for September 2015 which showed that the projected carry forward was £495,154. It was noted that this would exceed the local authority’s likely balance control mechanism and that a case would need to be made for retaining the full amount into the next financial year. It was suggested that some of this could be earmarked for the establishment of an IT fund to cover the cost of replacing items which the school currently owned and which would be nearing the end of their life in about five year’s time.

5.2 SEN Transport (see minute 6.2 of last meeting) See minute 4.2 above

5.3 Any other finance matters None

6. Staffing matters None

7. Review of staff performance appraisal policy, pay policy, and capability policy It was noted that the local authority has issued revised model policies on performance appraisal and pay but that there are no changes to the local authority’s model capability policy. The headteacher advised that there were no significant changes to the two new models.

RESOLVED that i) the headteacher be authorised to amend the school’s appraisal and pay policies in line with the new models: and

ii) the school’s capability policy remain unchanged.

8. Pay recommendations The Pay Committee reported that it had met prior to the Resources Committee meeting and agreed pay recommendations in respect of the five members of the leadership team, all of which could be contained within the school’s budget. However, recommendations were not yet available for the rest of the teaching staff and would be considered at a future meeting.

It was noted that the school’s School Improvement Officer had queried the governors’ involvement in performance management. The Committee felt it would be helpful to have some anonymous examples of objectives given to teachers and examples of what would be deemed to be outstanding and good teaching.

Sue Bishop, Clerk to the Governing Body, Governors’ Services, Directorate for Children and Young People 3rd Floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU Tel: 07710 387905, Email: [email protected] 9. Business continuity plan - See minute 5.1 of last meeting The headteacher reported that he was revising the school’s business continuity plan in line with the local authority’s template.

RESOLVED that the revised plan be submitted to the next meeting for approval.

10. Review of charging policy The Committee considered the school’s charging policy.

RESOLVED that no changes be made to the charging policy.

11. Review of health & safety policy A copy of the school’s health and safety policy had been circulated with the agenda. It was agreed that the policy needed to be updated to reflect the requirements of the new building.

RESOLVED that the policy be revised and submitted to the next meeting for approval.

12. Dates of future meetings It was noted that these would be agreed at the governing body meeting later that evening.

The meeting ended at 6pm.

Chair______Date: 13 January 2016

Sue Bishop, Clerk to the Governing Body, Governors’ Services, Directorate for Children and Young People 3rd Floor, Laurence House, 1 Catford Road, SE6 4RU Tel: 07710 387905, Email: [email protected]