TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE CORPORATION
Minutes of a meeting of the Corporation held at Truro College, Haven House, Truro on Wednesday 23 March 2016.
Present: Mrs K Ashworth (left after item G16/08), Mrs L Batchelor, Ms S Bray (left after item G16/08), Mr M Cooper, Mr R Crossland, Mr W Elliott, Ms G Harding, Mr S Jose, Dr J Lander, Mr P Reed, Mrs S Sanderson, Dr E Sheridan (left after item G16/08), Ms D Skinnard, Mr D Walrond (Principal), Mr K Wilson, Mrs E Winser (Chair) and Mrs J Woodhouse (for item 16/05 Onwards)
Also Present: Mr M Arnold (Director of Quality), Ms J Cashmore (Director of Operations), Mrs S Dickinson (Director of Finance), Mrs C Mewton (Director of Studies), Mr M Tucker (Director of Penwith College - left after item G16/08), Mr M Wardle (Director of Curriculum) and Mrs A Winter (Clerk to the Corporation)
Apologies: Professor D Bristow
G16/01 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record.
G16/02 Matters Arising
02.01 British Chamber of Commerce (Minute G15/46.01)
The Principal provided feedback from the British Chamber of Commerce Education Summit which he had attended on 10 December 2015. Better links were being established nationally and locally between the FE sector and the Chamber of Commerce.
02.02 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) (Minute G15/46.04)
The Corporation noted that the new Chair, Mark Duddridge, had visited the College and other meetings with the LEP had recently taken place concerning the future of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC).
02.03 Area Reviews (Minute G15/46.01)
Members noted that feedback from the first wave of Area Reviews had been provided and additional guidance about the process was available. The Principal, a number of Governors and the Clerk had recently attended AoC sessions about the Area Review process. Feedback emerging from
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the first wave of reviews highlighted the significant workload and time commitment for college Chairs/Lead Governors as well as senior managers. The outcomes and objectives of the reviews were variable, depending on institutions’ individual circumstances and were primarily focused on achieving greater financial efficiencies.
The Search and Governance Committee would consider the latest feedback and guidance in more detail at its next meeting.
G16/03 Chair’s Business
The Chair reported on the following:
03.01 Resignation
Members noted that Jamie Smith had tendered his resignation as he would be taking up a new role with Unlocking Potential, a scheme jointly managed by Cornwall College and Plymouth University.
The Corporation thanked Jamie for his commitment as a governor and significant input to the work of the Corporation. Members wished him well in his new role.
03.02 Governance Development Event
The Chair informed governors that Jo Matthews, National Leader of Governance, would be leading development session (funded by the Education and Training Foundation) at Truro College on the afternoon of Thursday 12 May 2016. Further details would be provided in due course.
G16/04 Principal’s Report
The Principal presented his quarterly report and highlighted a number of local and national developments including: Ofsted Inspection – members commended students for their exemplary conduct throughout the visit and the extraordinary commitment shown by lecturers and support staff. The whole inspection process had been positive and preliminary feedback from inspectors was very encouraging. Governors and staff, particularly Mark Arnold (Director of Quality) and Andy Stittle (Quality Assurance Leader) were congratulated on the preparation and organisation of the visit as well as the successful outcome. Publication of the final report was expected around 8 April. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Higher Education Review – members noted that the QAA review of the academic standards and quality of HE provision had also gone very well. The QAA report was not expected for several months and would include confirmation that the four core standards had been met. The QAA review process did not produce a grading judgement. Re-designation – policy developments including changes which could enable some colleges to re-designate as sixth form colleges, convert to an academy and benefit from VAT savings were being monitored. House of Commons Public Accounts Committee – Peter Lauener (CEO of the Skills Funding Agency and the Education Funding Agency) had presented
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evidence to an enquiry into Financial Sustainability in the FE Sector. He highlighted the considerable challenges that colleges were currently facing. Members noted the financial trends affecting the FE sector and acknowledged that the College remained atypical with no debts and strong financial reserves. Storm Damage – during recent storms a tree had fallen causing damage to a parked car. The opportunity was taken to assess the condition of external areas, remove several large trees, and complete other grounds maintenance works. Penzance Library – the former library at Morrab Road, Penzance, adjacent to the existing Art School, would soon be handed over to the College. An assessment of the building would be undertaken to decide how best to utilise the space. Student and College Activities – visitors to the College this term included Nick Boles (Minister for Skills) and Scott Mann (MP for North Cornwall) during Apprenticeship Week. Many students had taken part in fieldtrips, visits and sporting events with former students Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie selected to play for England in the Six Nations rugby tournament. Staff and students across the College were involved in National Safer Internet Day to improve online safety and raise awareness of potential risks. College Statistics – Members noted the latest student number estimates and staffing position for 2015/16 compared to previous years.
The Corporation thanked the Principal for his informative update and noted the diverse range of College and student activities that had taken place this term.
G16/05 Quarterly Review of College’s Financial Position
The Committee received and noted the Quarterly Review of the College’s Financial Position for the seven month period ending on 29 February 2016.
Members noted that a revised budget had been prepared in January to take account of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and a number of other variations. The impact of funding cuts, increases to employer National Insurance costs and Local Government Pension Fund contributions as well as other factors meant that the budget remained very tight. Every effort would be made to minimise the end of year deficit which would be offset by strong reserves. The long term cashflow position would remain positive.
The Corporation AGREED that, based on the evidence provided, the College's overall financial position remained satisfactory in terms of the continued solvency of the institution and the safeguarding of its assets.
G16/06 Confidential Minutes
This confidential item is separately minuted.
G16/07 Confidential Reports of Standing Committees
This confidential item is separately minuted.
G16/08 Capital Developments
This confidential item is separately minuted.
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G16/09 Reports of Corporation Standing Committees
09.01 Finance and General Purposes Committee
The Corporation received the minutes of the meeting on 19 January 2016 and noted the items discussed.
09.02 Employment and Business Policy Committee
The Corporation received the minutes of the meeting on 8 February 2016 and noted that two new members had joined the Committee: Will Elliott (Governor) and Kim Conchie (Chief Executive, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce). The Committee discussed the changes to the Investor in People accreditation fees and processes and had approved a number of revised HR policies.
09.03 Search and Governance Committee
The Corporation received and noted the minutes of the meeting on 4 February 2016.
The Corporation APPROVED the following recommendations from the Committee:
(i) the re-appointment of Linda Batchelor for a further term of four years beginning on 1 August 2016 (ii) the re-appointment of Daphne Skinnard for a further term of four years beginning on 1 August 2016 (iii) Linda Batchelor to join the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee with immediate effect (iv) the appointment of John Lander as Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee from 1 August 2016 until 31 July 2019 (to coincide with his term of office as a governor)
09.04 Audit Committee
The Corporation received the minutes of the meeting on 1 March 2016 and noted the successful outcome of a number of recent audits, including an in depth SFA Funding Audit completed by a team of four auditors during the 2015 autumn term. No significant issues had been raised by the SFA auditors and there would be no funding clawback.
Following discussion the Corporation APPROVED the re-appointment of TIAA Ltd as internal auditors for a further three years from 1 August 2016.
09.05 Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee
The Corporation received the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2016.
Members noted the Committee’s analysis of the DfE’s Post-16 Performance Tables for 2014/15. The College’s performance exceeded national and
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local averages on every measure for academic courses and placed the College as one of the very highest performing colleges nationally, especially in terms of value added.
The Committee also reviewed the SAR Action Plans, Early Leavers Data, recent safeguarding activities and the annual Equality and Diversity monitoring report. The Committee approved a Disability Policy Statement and a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy for 2016-18.
G16/10 Update on Current Risks
The Director of Finance provided an update in which she highlighted key risks: Campus 3 – the proposals carried a range of risks. The key concerns at this stage were securing funding and maintaining the very ambitious timetable for the project. SMT Workload - a very significant amount of senior management time was being spent on progressing the Campus 3 proposals. Staff were working very hard to respond to other policy developments and maintain current activities. Chancellor’s March 2016 Budget – a number of budget announcements could have implications for colleges. These included an expectation that all schools would become academies by 2020 (many schools would be looking to join a multi academy trust), the introduction of a new National School Funding Formula by 2019/20 and a review of the feasibility of making maths compulsory for every student up to the age of 18. The details of the proposals were being assessed.
Members discussed the key risks identified and noted that risks associated with the Stadium for Cornwall had been added to the Risk Register.
The Corporation was assured that all potential risks would continue to be closely monitored and addressed by the Risk Management Group (SMT).
G16/11 Truro and Penwith Academy Trust (TPAT) Update
The Chair provided a brief update on the TPAT which was continuing to grow and now included one secondary and seven primary schools. The transfer process for two PFI funded primary schools was taking longer due to complex PFI arrangements – it was hoped that the transfer would be completed on 1 May 2016. Discussions with other schools about joining the Trust were ongoing and a more rigorous due diligence process to assess the educational and financial position of each school was being developed. An HR review was underway to ensure greater consistency and a common set of staffing policies and procedures would be implemented across all TPAT schools. The two sponsored primaries were preparing for Ofsted visits which were expected during 2015/16.
G16/12 Date of Next Meeting
The Corporation would meet at 4.30pm on Wednesday 29 June 2016 at Penwith College.
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