Belfast Education and Library Board. Board Meeting

Transcription

1 Belfast Education and Library Board Board Meeting Minutes of a Meeting of the Belfast Education and Library Board held on Thursday 5 December 2013 at 1.00 pm in the Boardroom, 40 Academy Street, Belfast Members Present Apology Miss Rosemary Rainey (Chairperson), Mr Stephen Cumper, Rev Dr Norman Hamilton, Mrs Paula Leitch, Mr Alastair Mackay, Mr Gerry McMahon Mrs Dinah MacManus In Attendance Dr Clare Mangan Chief Executive Mr David Megaughin Chief Finance Officer Mr Gerry McGuinness Senior Education Officer Mrs Catherine Burnett Head of Infrastructure and Procurement Mrs Linda McGowan Head of Corporate Services Mr Paul Lawther Assistant Senior Education Officer - Curriculum Advice and Support (CASS) Mrs Jill Trotter Assistant Senior Education Officer - Children and Young People s Services (CYPS) Mr John Martin Information Officer Welcome The chairperson welcomed everyone to the board meeting Declaration of Interests There were no declarations of interest Board Meeting held on 7 November 2013 It was proposed by Paula Leitch, seconded by Alastair Mackay and agreed, that the minutes of the meeting of 7 November 2013 be received and adopted including any recommendations received therein.

2 7985 Matters Arising from the Minutes of 7 November Community Education Initiatives (minute refers) The senior education officer reported that there was no guarantee of a carryover of funding into the next financial year. The closing date for submissions is 23 December Shankill Principals (minute refers) The chief executive reported that following correspondence to the chief executive (designate) of ESAIT, planned work in relation to governor support would not be going ahead at this time. The chief executive thanked members for their co-operation in this matter..3 Governance and Accountability Review (GAR) (minute refers) The chairperson reported that no further information had been received in respect of public representation on the board. The chief executive informed the meeting that conversations with a purpose had been held but as yet no feedback had been received..4 Meeting with the Permanent Secretary (minute refers) The proposed meeting with the permanent secretary has been rearranged for 19 February Delivering Ministerial Priorities (minute refers) The chief executive reported that she had been advised by the permanent secretary that priority will be given to capital planning posts. The issue will be raised again at the chief executives meeting with the permanent secretary on 9 December Regional Training Unit (RTU) Update (minute refers) The chief executive reported that a letter had been sent to the Department of Education asking for clarity on future funding arrangements, with reference to the Summer School..7 Reconstitution of Schools Boards of Governors (minute refers) The senior education officer reported that DE and ESAIT are considering any legal implications for governors in respect of the establishment of ESA. Board members asked that regular updates are provided on this issue.

3 7986 Chairperson s Business.1 Events/Meetings Attended Senior Management Team and Preboard Meeting, BELB City of Belfast Youth Orchestra Chamber Concert, Crumlin Road Gaol British Psychological Society Conference, Stranmillis University College Harding Memorial Centenary Thanksgiving Service, Willowfield Parish Church Royal Gun Salute and Lunch, Hillsborough Castle Board of Education, Methodist Church in Ireland, Edgehill Theological College Interviews for Assistant Advisory Officer (RTU), BELB Tuesday 5 November 2013 Saturday 9 November 2013 Monday 11 November 2013 Wednesday 13 November 2013 Thursday 14 November 2013 Friday 15 November 2013 Tuesday 19 November 2013 Interviews for Advisers (CASS) Friday 22 November 2013 Tuesday 26 November 2013 Meeting with Chief Executive Friday 22 November 2013 Launch of Report Teaching Coding to KS2 and KS3, Stranmillis University College Monday 25 November 2013 Meeting with Chief Executive Thursday 28 November 2013 European Commission Office Reception, Guildhall, Derry/ Londonderry CBSM Management Committee, Fortwilliam Centre Saturday 30 November 2013 Monday 2 December

4 Youth Photographic Exhibition - My Shoes Might Fit You, Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings Senior Management Team and Preboard Meeting, BELB Sod Cutting - Victoria Park Primary School Monday 2 December 2013 Tuesday 3 December 2013 Thursday 5 December 2013 Invitations Received Belfast Healthy Cities 25 th Anniversary Celebration and Awards, Belfast Harbour Office European Commission Office in Northern Ireland s Reception welcoming Lumiere, The Guildhall, Derry/Londonderry Home-Start Snowflake Appeal Carol Concert, St Anne s Cathedral Townswomens Guild Carol Service, St Molua s Parish Church Upper Sixth Mock Interviews, Grosvenor Grammar School Official Opening of St Malachy s Youth Centre, Lower Stanfield Street Joint Consultative Forum Education Sector), BELB Friday 29 November 2013 Saturday 30 November 2013 Friday 6 December 2013 Saturday 7 December 2013 Monday 9 - Tuesday 10 December 2013 Wednesday 11 December 2013 Wednesday 26 February Christmas Events The chairperson reminded members that the Christmas lunch will take place in the boardroom on Thursday 12 December The BELB Christmas Concert will take place on Friday 13 December Association of Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards (ANIELB) 4 The chief executive provided an update from the last meeting of the ANIELB. The meeting focussed on the level at risk at which each

5 education and library board was reported to be operating. These concerns will be raised with the Minister at a scheduled meeting on 18 December Impact on Schools in Tiger s Bay Area A board member raised the issue of a potential impact on schools due to recent reported unrest in the Tiger s Bay area. The senior education officer will liaise with the link officer for the area and provide an update at the next meeting Chief Executive s Business.1 Events/Meetings Attended The chief executive informed members that she had attended a range of meetings and events. These are available to view on the board members website..2 Mail Received by the Chief Executive The meeting noted the list of mail received by the chief executive which is available to view on the board members website..3 Transition Board Meeting 7988 Education The chief executive reported on a meeting of the ESA transition board at which the legislative process and timescale for the implementation of ESA were discussed..1 Curriculum Advice and Support Service (CASS).1 Education and Training Inspectorate Reports The assistant senior education officer (CASS) presented inspection reports on: Ben Madigan Preparatory School - Report of an Inspection, September 2013 Holy Family Nursery School - Report of an Inspection, September 2013 The meeting noted the contents of the paper and agreed that a letter of congratulations would be sent to the principal and staff of Ben Madigan Preparatory School. 5

6 .2 Board of Governors Reconstitution - Approval and Noting of Appointments The meeting noted the contents of a tabled list of appointments to Boards of Governors..3 Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG) Minutes from the meeting held on 24 April 2013 The meeting noted the minutes of the above meeting..2 Children and Young People s Services (CYPS).1 Ratification of Statements The assistant senior education officer (CYPS) provided an update on the recommendations to propose, amend and to cease statements during November 2013 for members approval. On the proposal of Gerry McMahon, seconded by Alastair Mackay, the meeting approved the tabled paper..2 Special Educational Needs Annual Report Youth Service The assistant senior education officer (CYPS) outlined the key areas of the above report which provided an overview of the work of the BELB special educational needs section between September 2012 and August The chairperson thanked the assistant senior education officer (CYPS) and conveyed her appreciation for the report. Members noted the contents of the report..1 Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in Education Enhancement Scheme The senior education officer presented a report which outlined the 22 successful applicants to the above scheme, to receive a combined total of 44,003 in grants. On the proposal of Gerry McMahon, seconded by Alastair Mackay, the circulated list of successful applicants was approved. 6

7 .2 Youth Service Additional Funding for Inclusion Projects The senior education officer presented a report which outlined the 28 successful applicants to the above scheme, which received a combined total of 92,500 in grants. On the proposal of Paula Leitch, seconded by Norman Hamilton, the circulated list of successful applicants was approved General Purposes and Finance.1 Financial Report to October 2013 The chief finance officer outlined the board s financial position to October The meeting noted the projection for that should produce a breakeven position subject to receipt of the following from DE: EYF drawdown for schools; core centre pressure; earmarked initiative funding..2 Additional Allocations Members noted the net additional allocations for the period May 2013 to October 2013, as outlined by the chief finance officer..3 January 2014 Monitoring Round Bids Members noted the bids submitted for consideration in the January 2014 monitoring round, as outlined by the chief finance officer..4 Local Management of Schools - Outturn Statement for The chief finance officer presented a statement showing the financial outturn of each school s budget for the year. In response to a query by a board member, the chief finance officer agreed to raise the issue of the Common Funding Formula consultation at the next GAR meeting. Members noted the contents of the circulated paper. 7

8 .5 Planned Maintenance Programme - October 2013 Monitoring Round On the proposal of Norman Hamilton, seconded by Paula Leitch, the programme of works was approved as per the circulated list..6 Former Suffolk Primary School Site - Formal Register of Interest from Belfast City Council On the proposal of Norman Hamilton, seconded by Paula Leitch, members agreed to declare areas of the site not currently in use by the board or leased to a third party, as surplus to requirements; and to give approval to explore an agreement with the Council for the whole site, or part of the site..7 Joint Board Contracts Administered by Other Boards Members noted the joint board contracts as outlined in the circulated list..8 Lease Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain On the proposal of Gerry McMahon, seconded by Paul Leitch, members approved amendments to the tabled user clause to allow for educational and other ancillary uses..9 Capital Priorities The head of infrastructure and procurement presented a list of capital investment projects across all sectors to be submitted to DE for consideration. The head of infrastructure and procurement clarified that this was not a prioritised list. After discussion, members were assured that: all projects were in line with the area planning process; that any project on the list from outside the controlled sector had been submitted by its own sector. On the proposal of Alastair Mackay, seconded by Stephen Cumper, members approved the submission of projects as listed in the tabled paper. Gerry McMahon left the meeting at 2.35 pm. 8

9 7990 Non-teaching Appointments On the proposal of Paula Leitch, seconded by Alastair Mackay, it was agreed that the chairperson sign the schedule Sealing of Documents On the proposal of Norman Hamilton, seconded by Stephen Cumper, members approved the sealing of documents as listed on the tabled paper. There being no further business, the meeting ended at 2.55 pm. Signed Dated 9