1.3 Minutes of the Last Meeting The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2014 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chair.

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1 HARROW COLLEGE FURTHER EDUCATION CORPORATION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY 7 OCTOBER PRELIMINARY PROCEDURAL MATTERS 1.1 Attendance & Apologies for Absence Membership: Ms P Carvalho Mr N Davies Mr D Dipple Mr S Shah Ms M Van der Vord (Chair) In Attendance: Ms J Chaplin (Clerk) 1.2 Declarations of Interest There was none. 1.3 Minutes of the Last Meeting The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2014 were confirmed as a correct record, and were signed by the Chair. 1.4 Matters Arising None reported. 2. CORPORATION BUSINESS 2.1 Board Profile: Update A report was presented on the skills and diversity profile, updated to reflect membership changes since the summer term report, to help assist in informing the criteria for any forthcoming recruitment. The revised Corporation skills and diversity profile was considered in the context of: The areas of absence in expertise previously identified in the overall composition of the Board - Human Resources/change management and in PR/Marketing agreeing that the need for these skills remained Current and future strategic considerations discussing potential short-term changes and the more medium to long term implications for the Board composition and membership, particularly in the context of strategic college-specific and sectorwide and governance developments concluding that expertise that would be invaluable in providing further strategic insight to inform Board discussion particularly in fulfilment of its role in the area review process. The report was noted. 1

2 2.2 Membership & Vacancies Report A report was received updating members on current and forthcoming vacancies and presenting for the Committee s consideration, applications for appointment. Members were advised that in respect of: Current vacancies, following the election of two new student members, there were now two vacancies in the category of external member. Four candidates were presented for consideration Forthcoming vacancies, the terms of office of external members, Mark Eastwood and Antonio Weiss were scheduled to come to an end in October and December 2015 respectively. Additionally, it was reported that the term of office external member Sandra Ernstoff was due to end in July The two current vacancies and membership re/appointments were considered in the context of the updated Board Profile (Minute 2.1 refers) reviewing: Each of the membership applications noting that: Johanna Morgan, as Education Professional Lead for Harrow Council, possessed considerable local government experience across a range of complex strategy and policy areas requiring analysis and assessment of the long term strategic impact for the education landscape in Harrow. In the context of the current education landscape and the recent announcement of the review of post-16 education and training institutions via area reviews, it was concluded that Johanna s insight, expertise and experience in this regard would be invaluable and bring added strength to the Board. Osman Peermamode, currently Head of Business Intelligence and with a remit in the UK and overseas, Vodafone, possessed considerable expertise both in human resources and information technology. With HR identified as a specific skill required to complement the Board s overall composition, it was considered that his insight, most notably with direct experience in work-force development, would be hugely beneficial as the College responded to the changes that would be required of the College s staff resources going forward. Michelle Perkins, as Director Schools & Education Outreach, Capgemini UK, possessed the specific skill required to complement the Board s overall composition with her background not only originally in communications/marketing but also her more recent experience in employee engagement, community relations & educational outreach and her business experience both globally and UK based. It was agreed that her combined experience be equally valuable offering insight from an employer perspective in the context of careers, employment and direction of travel in respect of digital advancement, particularly in the context of responding to the government skills agenda. 2

3 Gerry Freedman was a former Director of a Children's Adoption Charity who has previously worked with disadvantaged groups while a grants programme civil servant in the Scottish Office. With the focus specifically on seeking candidates possessing expertise in HR and PR/Marketing and Gerry s application not specifically identifying such expertise, it was concluded that his application was not to be taken further The two member re-appointments presented agreeing that the professional expertise and contribution to the Board of Mark Eastwood and Antonio Weiss was such that re-appointment should be recommended. Reflecting further on the number of viable candidates in the in the context of the vacancies available and Board s current determined membership of 15 members, there was consideration of the options available, agreeing that an increase in the determined members from 15 to 16 members in this instance was the most advantageous to the Board with the expertise of the 3 candidates proving of equal importance. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to RECOMMEND for the Corporation to APPROVE: An increase in the determined Board memberships from 15 to 16 members The APPOINTMENT of Johanna Morgan, Osman Peermamode and Michelle Perkins as External members for a term of office of four years; and The RE-APPOINTMENT of external members Mark Eastwood and Antonio Weiss for a second term of office of four years 3. GOVERNANCE DEVELOPMENT & PERFORMANCE 3.1 Governance Development Plan 2014/15 and 2015/16 A report was received summarising the year-end position in the implementation of the 2014/15 objectives and presenting the objectives proposed for 2015/16. Progress was summarised and noted and the objectives proposed for 2014/15 were reviewed and the objectives for 2015/16 were considered noting proposals for: The proposed introduction of objectives covering development activities to ensure shared understanding of and preparation for the latest changes to the Ofsted inspection framework; and the Corporation s role and responsibilities (within the guidance) for the area reviews of post-16 education and training institutions The review of the Corporation s governance arrangements in the context of the new English Colleges Code of Governance After consideration it was RESOLVED to: RECOMMEND for the Corporation to APPROVE the Plan for 2015/16. 3

4 3.2 Reviewing Performance: Committee Annual Report 2014/15 The annual report for the Search & Development Committee was received. The business reviewed during 2014/15 and the impact of the Committee s contribution to the work of the Corporation that period was considered and noted. After discussion it was RESOLVED to: RECOMMEND to the Corporation the approval of the Committee s Annual Report for 2014/ Arrangements for Corporation Conference, 29 January 2016 An oral report was received from the Corporation Chair presenting the proposed arrangements for the Governors Conference in January Following discussion it was agreed to recommend to the Corporation for the 2015 Conference Programme to include the ideas suggested. 3.4 National Governance Developments: Code of Good Governance for English Colleges Following the publication by the AoC Governors Council of the new Code of good Governance for English Colleges (the Code), a report was presented updating members on the finalised version and outlining recommendations regarding its adoption. Members were advised that: Replacing the 2013 version, the Code was intended to be read alongside college s Instrument and Articles of Government and relevant legal and regulatory requirements; and set out principal responsibilities and expected practices Whilst adoption was voluntary it was suggested that where a board has adopted the Code but departed from any particular provisions, the board should explain its rationale and how its approach met the spirit of the Code The AoC Governors Council recommendation was for boards to consider adoption of the new Code at its summer board meeting The Harrow College Corporation adopted the original Code of Governance at its July 2013 Board meeting. After noting the accompanying summary assessing the extent to which the College may be considered currently compliant with the provisions of the new Code there was consideration of: The revised version, which it was observed was far more detailed and prescriptive than the original document and duplicated areas contained in documents elsewhere In the context of its representation as the sector standard for good college governance, the merits and otherwise of adoption. 4

5 After discussion it was RESOLVED to RECOMMEND for the Corporation to: APPROVE the adoption of the Code. 4 ANY OTHER BUSINESS & MEETING EVALUATION 4.1 Any other business No other business was raised. 4.2 Date of Next Meeting 5.00pm, Wednesday 15 June Meeting Evaluation Members completed the meeting evaluation forms and the meeting closed. 5