Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Corporation held on Monday 25 March 2013 in the Restaurant

Present: Skill Members: J David (Chair), R Pheasey (Vice Chair), S Barnes, S Butt, M Calvert, S Jackson, H Malik, M Tull, D Whatley Student Members: J Eyre Principal A Melton Officers: D Rothwell (Deputy Principal) In Attendance: A Ghidotti, M Fawcett, C Parr, A Rushton

The Chairman welcomed Carrie Parr, Assistant Principal (Vocational).

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Vicky Eastwood, Vicky Thorp and Amir Saeed.

2. Declarations of Interest

Members were reminded of their responsibility to declare an interest in relation to specific items on the Agenda if appropriate.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting – Tuesday 11 December 2012

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 11 December 2012, were agreed as a true and accurate record.

Resolved CG 13/01 That the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 11 December 2012, were agreed as a true and accurate record.

4. Matters Arising

The Chair informed members that Mike Calvert had resigned from the Board of Corporation and that he had written a letter to thank him for his services to College. Mike Calvert’s resignation was accepted and it was agreed that a letter from the Board of Corporation would be sent to him.

Resolved CG 13/02 Mike Calvert’s resignation was accepted and it was agreed that the Chairman would write on behalf of the Board of Corporation and thank him for his services to the Board and the Employer & Skills Committee.

There were no matters arising that were not covered by the agenda.

5. Principal’s Report

The Principal reported that distanced travelled by A-level students (value added) was furthest in the Country. The recent ALP’s publication of value added scores highlighted the College as the highest achieving college out of 340 16-18 Providers in the country for A-levels in 2012.

1 The Principal informed members that the Property ‘Masterplan’ had been worked on with AA Projects and was expected to be completed by May 2012. A detailed discussion of the College’s property vision for the next decade would be an agenda item at the next Strategy event.

The Pendle Work Inspiration event on Tuesday 5 February 2013, was a great success with some fantastic feedback from both the Year 9 pupils, invited into College to sample different careers, and the employers.

The College’s first Employer Awards Ceremony on Thursday 14 March 2013, at the Fence Gate was a huge success with high attendance from employers, learners and local partners.

Resolved CG 13/03 That the Report be received and a detailed discussion of the College’s property vision for the next decade be an agenda item at the next Strategy event. 6. College Seal

It was noted that since the last meeting of the Board of Corporation, held on Tuesday 11 December 2012, the College Seal had not been used. A further update would be provided at the next Corporation meeting.

Resolved CG 13/04 That the Report be received and the position noted.

7. (a) Curriculum and Quality Committee Minutes (11.02.13) and Chair Summary

The Vice Chair gave a brief summary of the Curriculum and Quality Committee meeting. He reported that the meeting reaffirmed that the drive to maintain standards was constant and that support for curriculum was well demonstrated.

He added that the Board was very proud of the results coming through and the focus on quality.

It was noted that future minutes need to draw out key points from each paper.

Resolved CG 13/05 That the Report be received.

(b) A Level Modular Results – January 2013

The Interim Deputy Principal presented the report highlighting that the national average for AS high grades is 26% and A2 high grades is 32%.

The Chair questioned the difference between the AS and A2 physics results. The Interim Deputy Principal confirmed that there had been changes in teaching personnel and that additional workshops were in place.

2 Mike Tull queried the results for Government and Politics, English Language and Accounts and queried whether the College was equipping AS students with the ability to deal with A-level exams from the transition from GCSE.

The Principal confirmed that students received support to make the transition and that action plans were in place for all areas where the results had fallen. She added that the 2 year A level on linear path would have a big impact on the College; this was the last set of January modular results students would have.

The Principal said she was especially thrilled with Maths A level results. She added that driving small improvements everywhere is the key. This will be Carrie and Alistair’s key focus.

Resolved CG 13/06 That the Report be received.

8. a) Executive Committee Minutes (04.02.13) and Chair Summary

The Chair drew attention to the draft mid-year financial reforecast with a dip in income and increased expenditure and stated that advanced planning was required.

The Chair drew attention to the plan to look at the feasibility of the all- weather pitch – future vision for College. He added that the affordability of this would depend on grants, etc.

The Principal commented that this was a key resources issue for the College and there had been significant discussion at the Resources Committee. She added it would be part of strategic planning.

The Chair contributed that the Resources Committee agreed that the bid for funding for the pitch would be put in.

Resolved CG 13/07 That the Report be received.

b) Management Accounts

The Deputy Principal reported that there was a genuine cost pressure on the non-pay budget.

He advised that the need to comply with financial covenants was important and reminded Members that the operating performance covenant would be breached if the College outlined a deficit for 3 consecutive years or any single year’s deficit exceeded £500,000. A breach would lead to a repricing of the facility.

The Chair commented that the report noted that the financial ratios analysis and health status had moved from ‘outstanding’ to ‘good’. The Deputy Principal explained that it is a very strong ‘good’ and confirmed that that there was every likelihood it could remain as ‘outstanding’ for

3 2012/13.

Resolved CG 13/08 That the Report be received. c) Mid-Year Reforecast

The Deputy Principal confirmed that an additional £53k income had come through in regard to 2011/12 reconciliation. This moved the budget from an 80K to 28K deficit.

Staff costs have moved as additional part-time hourly paid teaching included 10% additional resource for Adult Skills Budget delivery in respect of delivering the SFA target. .

The Deputy Principal noted that £80k for restructuring and the Pay Award had not been in the original budget.

Resolved CG 13/09 That the Board of Corporation receives the recommendation of the Resources Committee and approve the Mid-Year Reforecast. d) 16-18 Student Numbers

The Deputy Principal informed the Board that the funding rate had been finalised at £4000 per full-time student (up from £3900 previously indicated) and that the disadvantaged uplift also increased from £450 to £480. These changes will reduce the amount of formula protection funding the College relies upon and won’t provide additional funding.

He advised that there had been a reduction in the number of students allocated – this has fallen by 52 students. The primary reason for this was the new eligibility test – there being students in our current mix who are ineligible on the new formula eg. Year 11 school leavers.

The Deputy Principal confirmed that if we exceed the number of learners in a given year then funding is the same but included in future baseline funding.

Full funding allocation will be issued as a summary paper to Governors in advance of future meeting.

Resolved CG 13/10 That the Report be received and full funding allocation be issued as a summary paper to Governors in advance of future Board meeting. e) Estates Update

The Deputy Principal updated Board on issues with flooring in the Sports Hall.

4 The Deputy Principal advised that the deadline for feedback on initial capital bids was the end of April.

He added that the Resources Committee meeting mid-May would be an opportunity to discuss finances for bids/strategy.

Stephen Barnes stated that he could see the benefits of STEM bids but felt it was different for sporting provision. He said it was still not clear as to whether sports pitch would be really help core provision.

The Principal agreed with Stephen Barnes about the link between STEM and sports provision – expression of interest process had to be taken advantage of and so both bids had been put in. She added that the spending strategy, investment strategy and curriculum strategy need to be considered together.

Mike Tull commented that students from ‘Building Schools for the Future’ schools were coming here and that the College need to satisfy their expectations and have facilities to match those they are used to.

It was agreed that the Board delegate the consideration of the detailed bid, if successful in the first round, to the Resources Committee.

The Vice Chair stated that there must be link between the AA Project’s ‘Masterplan’ and the bids put in.

Resolved CG 13/11 That the Report be received and the Board delegate consideration of the detailed bid, if successful in the first round, to the Resources Committee.

9. a) Strategic Partnership Update

The Principal gave an update on the number of strategic partnerships the College was developing and informed Members that she had been asked to Chair the LEP Skills Summit and host the event at College in May.

Mike Tull enquired about collaborative work with Thomas Whitham Sixth Form and asked whether their position without a Headteacher was an issue for the College. .

The Principal responded that it potentially presented real opportunities for collaboration.

Mike Tull questioned whether the Chapel Street Free School had been taken into account with regard to their specialism in Science.

The Principal confirmed her awareness of the Free School and that the impact would be considered.

Resolved CG 13/12 That the Report be received.

b) Pendle Education Trust

5 Chair gave assurance that no element of finance management of the Pendle Education Trust would impact on the College. It was agreed that the Audit Committee would be the forum to monitor this.

The tremendous effort of the Principal and Deputy Principal for setting up the Trust was acknowledged.

Mr Malik wished to note the hard work undertaken by everyone involved.

Resolved CG 13/13 That the Report be received and the Audit Committee be given responsibility for monitoring the Pendle Education Trust finances.

c) Draft Three Year Corporate Plan

The Principal presented a draft paper on the 3 Year Corporate Plan and proposed that the next Strategic Planning Event be an ‘Away Day’ at the end of May/beginning of June. This draft paper would enable Members time to consider the proposals prior to the event and facilitate further detailed discussions with regard to the development of the plan and setting of a series of goals for curriculum, estates, IT, HR and finance. Stephen Barnes commented that it was important that there was’ realism’ to the discussions. Vicky Eastwood to action

. Resolved CG 13/14 That the draft 3 Year Corporate Plan be received and considered prior to the Strategic Planning ‘Away Day’ Event.

1 Audit Committee Minutes (26.11.12) and Chair Summary 0. Summary given by David Whatley.

Resolved CG 13/15 That the Report be received.

1 Date of next Meeting: Monday 24 June 2013 1. The next meeting of the Board of Corporation will take place on Monday 24 June 2013.

The Chairman thanked all in attendance for their contribution.

Signed…………………………………. Date…………………………… John David (Chairman)

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