Minutes of the meeting of the Governing Body Tuesday 20 th September 2016 at 6:30pm

Transcription

1 Minutes of the meeting of the Governing Body Tuesday 20 th September 2016 at 6:30pm Present: Mrs Gloria Reed GR Chair of Governors Mrs Caroline Hart CH Co-Opted Governor Mrs Florence Blagden FB Parent Governor Mrs Marie- Christine Laurent ML Parent Governor Mr Joshua Hang Gong JH Parent Governor Ms Sarah Moynihan SM Co-Opted Governor Mrs Jenny Milns JM Co-Opted Governor Ms Ann Abineri AAb LA Governor Mrs Rebecca Wylie RWy Parent Governor Mrs Ruth Holman RH Staff Governor Ms Rikke Waldau RW Head of Centre Mrs Rebecca Mack RM Co-Opted Governor In Attendance: Miss Amy Attewell AA Clerk Not Present: Mrs Ivy Di ID Parent Governor Rev Dr Roger Williams RWi Co-Opted Governor 1. Welcome- GR chaired the meeting and welcomed JH to his first meeting. The meeting was quorate. 2. Apologies- Accepted from Mrs Dawn Willis (DW) Co-Opted Governor and Mrs Susan Moore (SMo) Co-Opted Governor. 3. Declaration of Interests- There were no interests declared based on the agenda items. a) Signing of Pecuniary Interest Forms- All Governors present completed a Pecuniary Interest form. 4. Safeguarding- No issues to report. a) Update on DBS Checks for September ID, RW, RWi and SM are still to complete their checks- these Governors must contact RM to arrange a date to do so as soon as possible. 5. Minutes of the meeting Agreed by those present at the last meeting and signed as correct by GR. 7. Governing Body Matters a) Agree Governor Code of Practice- Previously distributed. All Governors present confirmed they had read the document and signed to agree to adhere to it. b) Committee Personnel 2016/2017- It was agreed that JH would attend Safeguarding meetings alongside JM and RW. The Teaching School Representative will be removed as this is no longer relevant. CH was confirmed as the SEN Governor, with JH supporting her. GR noted that a date for the next CCPAB meeting will be set once the Children s Centre Consultation has been submitted in October. c) Discussion Re: missing balance bike- RM informed the board that a child s bike, which was left in the buggy park, had been stolen. Unfortunately, the CCTV was broken at that time so the thieves cannot be identified. After a short discussion, it was agreed that as the family was so upset, a new bike would be purchased for the child with money from the Friends Committee up to the value of Date... [150]

2 However, notices must be put up as soon as possible stating that items are left in the building and surrounding areas at the owner s risk. d) Election/ Re- Election of Associate Members- The Clerk had previously spoken to Paula Champion who was willing to stand again as an Associate Member, serving on the Curriculum and Equalities Committee. All were in agreement. e) Election/ Re- Election of the Vice Chair and Clerk- RW nominated AA to continue as Clerk- all were in agreement. RW nominated AAb to continue as Vice Chair- all were in agreement. f) Governing Body training update- No courses have been attended since the last meeting. g) Governor training subject 2016/2017- Governor Services have introduced a charge for inhouse training. As budgets are so tight, this is spend that cannot be justified. It was therefore agreed that the February training session would be led by RW, or possibly by a cheaper external provider. h) Set meeting dates for the year- Meeting dates for 2016/2017 were agreed as: 29/11/16 (AAb gave apologies), 07/02/17 (Training session), 28/03/17 (SM apologies), 09/05/17 and 04/07/17. i) Succession planning- GR noted that she still requires a Co-Chair and asked the board to give the position consideration. j) Upcoming end of Terms of Office- FB s TOO ends in October A Parent Governor nomination/ election process will be held before half term. 6. Committee Reports/ Policies a) Curriculum and Equalities Committee- Next meeting date set as the 3 rd October 2016 at 9:30am. c) Health Safety and Premises Committee Received and noted. RW updated the board that the changing bed in Willow was fixed today. d) Personnel Committee Received and noted. CH noted an amendment to the minutes under Recruitment updates regarding a previous student. The paragraph will now read A previous student who was working here whilst studying failed a GCSE examination which means she can t go onto do her apprenticeship with us. RM mentioned the possibility of hiring her for 3 days a week as bank staff as the failed examination was not in a subject essential for the post" to better explain that the student did not fail the entire course, but rather just one aspect. Bullying and Harassment Policy- Previously distributed. Ratified by all Terms of Reference (Appendix B)- Previously distributed. The Clerk is now Sophie Garbutt. Ratified by all. e) Safeguarding Meeting Received and noted. Safeguarding checklists- Only 5 checklists were received back from Governors following the training session in January. RW stressed the importance of completing these, as Ofsted will need evidence of Governor s knowledge on the matter. RW assured the board that she would give training to any Governor s who were unsure of any of the questions. All Governors to return their checklist to the Clerk or Head as soon as possible. Keeping Children Safe in Education Document- Previously distributed. RW noted that the document was updated in September All Governors present signed to confirm that they had read and understood the updated guidance. Terms of Reference (Appendix C) - Previously distributed, date changes only. Ratified by all. f) Finance Committee Tabled and read at the meeting. Pay Policy (All other staff)- Tabled at the meeting, no changes from the previous version. Ratified by all. Pay Policy (Teachers)- Tabled at the meeting, page 19 updated to account for the 1% increase to Main Scale Teacher salaries. Ratified by all. Terms of Reference (Appendix A) - Previously distributed, date changes only. Ratified by all. Date... [151]

3 Discussion regarding the Centre s financial situation: This item is covered in the separate confidential minute. 8. Head of Centre s Report- Previously distributed. a) Review of attendance statistics As per report. b) EYFS scores for summer RW noted the brilliant scores for Summer Term Improvement is needed in Mathematics and Speech and Language, particularly with regard to boys. PSED will also be a focus based on the local and national results table of children s development levels in reception. c) Final figures for Pupil Premium As per report. d) Pride Return- There were 2 returns in the academic year These were both child related incidents. A full report is available from RW. There have been no returns since the last Governors meeting (July 2016). e) Centre Improvement Plan broad targets for As per report. 9. Teaching School Update- No report. 10. Chair s Report- No report. 11. Governor Visits- All items deferred to next meeting. 12. AOBa) Governing Body Audit- Reflection on meeting- GR to complete at home. The meeting closed at 8:20pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 29 th November 2016 at 6:30pm. Actions from the meeting: Governor Name Item number Action When ID, RW, RWi and 4a Arrange date with RM to complete DBS check. ASAP SM ALL 6e Complete Safeguarding Checklists and return to the Head ASAP or Clerk. RW 6b Submit letter to LA/ Theresa Levy. By GR 12 Complete reflection on meeting. ASAP Appendix A- Finance Committee Terms of Reference The Committee has delegated powers to carry out the following specific tasks: To prepare the first formal Centre budget plan to include forward planning for Willow, Cherry and Children s Centre budgets. To receive & consider monitoring reports for Willow, Cherry and Children s Centre budgets at least 3 times per year. To approve the writing off of irrecoverable debts up to and the disposal of surplus and damaged equipment. To enter into contracts above 5,000. To establish and review ordering and payment systems. Date... [152]

4 To set a charging and remissions policy. Approve transfer between budget headings (virement) within agreed limits of 5,000. To receive, and where appropriate respond to reports from the Local Authority s auditors. Buildings insurance (GB to seek advice from Local Authority). Developing a Centre buildings strategy (including budgeting for repairs etc.) and contributing to Asset Management Planning arrangements. Agree level of maintenance service the Centre will buy from service providers. To approve hiring policy and charges. To review all Pay Policies. To consider recommendations relating to the pay of all members of staff. To ensure the Centre meets Schools Financial Value Standards (SFVS). To initiate and carry out redundancy processes, if required. This is based on current membership as at In addition the Committee will: 1. Consider, as appropriate, and make recommendations on other related matters not specifically delegated by the Governing Body. 2. Contribute to Governing Body and school self review with particular reference to OFSTED Self Evaluation Forms (SEF) 3. Plan, monitor and evaluate appropriate sections of the Centre Improvement Plan (CIP). 4. Prepare for the Governing Body any appropriate report to parents (or others) on matters relating to the work of the Committee. 5. Appoint a named Finance Governor (Gloria Reed 2016/2017) who will regularly meet with the Business Manager to ensure that the Centre is adhering to financial regulations. The named Governor will also ensure the following key documents are reviewed and adopted: - Local Scheme of Financial Delegation - CCC Contract Regulations for Schools - CCC Financial Regulations for Schools - Cambridgeshire Scheme for Financing Schools - School s Internal Financial Procedures The named Finance Governor will report back to the Finance Committee on such meetings. Appendix B- Personnel Committee Terms of Reference The Committee has delegated powers to carry out the following specific tasks: To develop, review and oversee implementation of the Governing Body s Personnel policies (with reference to Local Authority policies and guidance). To appoint teachers in the leadership group (as defined by Governors). To support the Head of Centre in appointing other teachers/personnel. To agree disciplinary/capability procedures NB: Will usually be based on Local Authority models agreed with unions. Dismissal of Head of Centre (GB must act through Dismissal Committee). Date... [153]

5 Agree and monitor a training strategy for Centre staff and Governors. To consider and report on issues concerning staffing of the outreach and development of the Children s Centre. In addition the Committee will: 1. Consider, as appropriate, and make recommendations on other related matters not specifically delegated by the Governing Body. 2. Contribute to Governing Body and school self review with particular reference to OFSTED Self Evaluation Forms (SEF) 3. Plan, monitor and evaluate appropriate sections of the Centre Improvement Plan (CIP). 4. Prepare for the Governing Body any appropriate report to parents (or others) on matters relating to the work of the Committee. 5. Ensure its members have access to the most recent training and guidance on safeguarding children, including safer recruitment. Appendix C- Responsibilities of the named Governor for Safeguarding The Fields Children s Centre has a named Governor who supports the Head of Centre in meeting the Centre s Safeguarding responsibilities. The named Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding will: Liaise with the Head of Centre and Centre staff who have designated responsibility for Safeguarding Children. Ensure that the Safeguarding duty remains prominent within the daily life of the Centre. Report to the Governing Body at least annually on: - Changes affecting Safeguarding children policies and procedures - Training undertaken by designated persons, all other staff and Governors - The number of incidents/cases (without names, as strictly confidential) which are discussed. In addition the Governor will: 6. Consider, as appropriate, and make recommendations on other related matters not specifically delegated by the Governing body. Date... [154]

6 7. Contribute to Governing body and Centre self review with particular reference to Ofsted Self Evaluation Forms (SEF). 8. Plan, monitor and evaluate appropriate sections of the Centre Improvement Plan (CIP), together with the Head of Centre or designated Centre Staff. 9. Prepare for the Governing Body any appropriate report to parents (or others) on matters relating to this responsibility. 10. Attend training relating to Safeguarding as appropriate. The named Governor with responsibility for Safeguarding is: Jenny Milns (2016/2017) Date... [155]