Trustee latest minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Board of Trustees of St Paul’s Community Development Trust held on 14 July 2010 at 6.45 pm in Room 29, BHIC

Present:, Gill Coffin, Jacqui Ure, Ron Vannelli, Sue Skillett, Pat Wing,
Judith Millington, Rizvan Sadikot, Connie Perris, Shazim Husayn

In Attendance: Anita Halliday, Marion Ridsdill

1 Apologies: Keith Tatton, Shashi Bhana, Steve Ball, Mark Riley,
Manny Jaspal

The Chair welcomed Shazim Husayn to his first meeting. Trustees introduced themselves to him.

2 Minutes of the previous Meeting 9 June 2010 (enclosed): were amended to show the correct date. Apologies were added for Shazim Husayn. The minutes were then signed as a true record of the meeting. The confidential section in Item 6 would be removed from the published minutes.

3 Declaration of Interests: These forms would be updated on each occasion. They would be brought to each meeting and agenda.

4 Matters Arising:

4.1 Insurance: Ian Edwards has spoken to Hettle Andrew who confirm that the cover was as before and that some sections had been improved. A 5% discount was taken that ties the Trust in for 3 years.
4.2 Conference Evaluation (enclosed): There has been a good response from staff. The workshops had been good this year. Senior Staff who have already seen the evaluation were pleased with the results. Anita thanked Gill, Shashi and Pat for attending on the day. Tim Whitworth was the guest speaker. He has been in contact with Anita since regarding the ‘Total Place’ and ‘New School Network’.
4.3 Cabinet Office Visit (letter enclosed): The visit was very positive.
4.4 Schedule of Policy Reviews: The full report has now been circulated.
4.5 School Status and Proposals: The new Coalition Government has said that independent schools cannot become academies but they can apply to be a ‘Free School’. Free Schools will have the same status as academies. The expression of interest already submitted for the Special School status has been rejected, as the premises are not good enough but the Local Authority have now asked for an expression of interest for a non-school for young people with challenging behaviour. The Government has said it will give us a named person to help and advise the Trust with the Free School application within 2 weeks. The Local Authority has given the Trust Jaswinder Didially to help prepare the expression of interest for the non-school. Trustees agreed to take up both opportunities. It was noted that the Local Authority is responsible for the provision of education for statemented children and not the Government.
4.6 St Barnabas Nursery: The Children, Young People and Early Years have offered £29,695 towards costs and the deficit at St Barnabas. Informally the Trust has heard that Al Hira Nursery may reopen which would be good as there is still a shortage of places in the area.

5 Annual Accounts and Trustee Report (enclosed):

Trustees were pleased to receive the Annual Accounts so soon. Trustees agreed to change Youth and Adult Services to School and Youth Services. The Safe Haven Police referred to in the report is a project run by WM Police. 2 Police persons have been working with several local groups including the Trust.

Trustees agreed to adopt the Annual Accounts subject to the amendments.

Report of the Auditors, Letter of Appointment (circulated)

Action is being taken on items in the Report letter. Item 11 on Letter of Appointment does not apply as the Police are insistent that it was a theft investigation and not fraud at St Barnabas.

Trustees agreed the points raised in the Letter of Appointment.

6 Equalities Monitoring – Recruitment and Selection (enclosed):

The Trust holds IIP – Bronze, Matrix and PQASSO. Matrix is due to be renewed at the end of the year and the Trust will have an external evaluation for the first time for PQASSO at level 3 next year.

The Equalities Act becomes law in October 2010, the report enclosed will only satisfy part of the Act’s requirements. The new Government is looking at this; it may result in the HR Department having to produce more detailed reports including information on disciplinary actions taken.

The report shows that the overall recruitment trend is reflecting the composition of the area. Trustees asked for grid lines and a larger font for the next report. Two Trustees were not happy with the ethnic classifications but it was noted that there are constraints in what can be used as we need to collect data as the City requires it for reporting.

The Trust overall does not have targets set against the numbers but it has recognised the need to increase the number of people recruited with disabilities.

7 Governance Development (enclosed):

Trustees agreed to that a working party, Gill, Jacqui, Shazim and a fourth person possibly Steve or Mark, would meet in September/October to take the following actions forward:

- Board members’ skills audit and any training requirements Trustees identify
- recruitment policy and procedures (for the Board and sub-Committees)
- appraisal of Trustees and Committee members, officers of the Board
- planned ‘away days’ to consider strategic plans and proposals for governance

There are several skills audit tools available. There is some information available at the Trust for recruitment. Anita would contact Karl George regarding the criteria for an appraisal process for Trustees, which would be different to a staff appraisal. The Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation.

Other actions on this report have now been completed.

Calendar of Meetings: The Trustees approved the calendar of meetings, subject to the Budget date being amended.

8 Item 8 taken last

9 AGM arrangements: Trustee Retirements and Re-elections (enclosed):

One third of Trustees must retire each year. Connie Perris and Steve Ball due to retire, Connie confirmed she agrees to stand for re-election. Marion to email Steve to confirm if he is willing to restand. Jacqui Ure and Rizvan Sadikot also agreed to retire and to stand for re-election at the AGM.

Marion to write to all members inviting them to attend and if they wish to nominate another member. The nomination must be received 2 weeks prior to the AGM.

The AGM will take place on the 11 October at 6:00 pm in the School. This year the Trust is celebrating 30 years. As part of the celebrations the Trust will hold an open day on the 11 October. Trustees were invited to suggest a guest speaker for the AGM. People who have had a connection with the Trust over the last 30 years would be invited to attend and possibly talk about their experiences of the Trust.

10 Staffing Report:

Trustees noted the staffing report.

8 Case Load Midwifery Balsall Heath Pilot (enclosed):

The Independent Midwives UK proposal has been presented to the Children’s Services Board and they are happy to recommend it to Trustees. There is a risk involved with this; at present independent midwives (IM) have a problem getting insurance cover for themselves. Legislation is being introduced so that they can get cover with NH Trusts but this does not happen until next spring. This pilot programme does not involve deliveries but ante and post natal care. IM UK want to use the pilot to develop trial contracts to discover what will work and what can be established. Elsie Gayle is an IM working to develop caseload midwifery services. Ian Edwards is speaking to our insurers.

Trustees agreed that further consultation takes place with IM UK.

11 Any Other Business:

Balsall Heath Carnival: Superb day, weather was good and lots of people attended. Trustees were disappointed that there was only one entry in the procession from the Trust. There are various places along the route where groups can join if they are unable to walk the whole route. Clifton School did really well again this year. The St Paul’s School pupils stall raised £116 for their chosen charity. Congratulations to everyone.

It was agreed that a collection of case studies should be made about the successes the Trust has including carnival. There is a group called Digital Story Telling, which might be interesting to use or to persuade a student to use us for a case study. Details to be passed to Ian.

12 Date of Next Meeting: 11 August 2010, 6:45 pm Room 29, BHIC