Minutes of Meeting of Accountability and Governance Working Group held on September 29 2005 at 3.30 pm, Easterhouse Campus, John WheatleyCollege, Glasgow.
Attendees:
Aileen McKechnie (Chair)
Margaret McLachlan (Secretariat)
Col Baird, Review of Scotland's Colleges Team
George Reid, FAED
David Caldwell, Universities Scotland
Neil Cuthbert, ASC
Suzanne Dawson, Chair of Borders College
Jennifer McLaren, SFC
James Alexander, NUS Scotland
Ian Graham, John Wheatley College
Linda McKay, Forth Valley College
Apologies:
Sandy Watson, Interim Chair Angus College
Fiona Farmer, AMICUS
John Cassidy, EIS
Invited guests from Students Union , John Wheatley College
Robert McCaig, President
Lyndsay Beck, SWD Officer
Lorna Templeton, Secretary
1. Introduction
· Welcome from Chair and introductions.
2. Presentation from members of John Wheatley Student Association
· The presentation gave an overview of the role of student representation on the Board of Management. It was explained representation made a valued contribution to decision making process and students were actively encouraged to participate.
· Although initially representatives found it a daunting experience to sit on the Board of Management and other committees such as Board Development, Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety, it was considered to be both a rewarding and empowering experience.
· Representatives were asked for input for the New Campus at Haghill and were pleased to be playing a part in the regeneration of the area. This was considered to be possible through their well developed partnership/relationships with the college management.
· Representatives consider themselves to have received a generous budget and have raised money themselves, but they consider the system for funding child care to be an inappropriate system, particularly in an area of high deprivation. It would be better if this money was funded in a similar way to that of higher education through the Student Awards Agency Scotland.
· The Board of Management training provided by both ASC and NUS was seen as valuable.
· The Student Association's recent achievements include: the amended version of HMIE's 'Briefing Notes for Students' now endorsed by HMIE and used in all college inspections and their involvement in the production of Trondra History Group's publication 'Hidden Histories'.
3. Minutes of last meetings
· The minutes of the last meeting were agreed with the following bullet point to be added: "The length of board membership of staff members was discussed. The numbers of staff representatives which were reduced at the time of incorporation was also raised".
4. ASC Paper
· ASC prepared an initial paper on its thoughts and recommendations on the particular issues identified in the remit of the group. This paper had been circulated to all members.
· SPARQS and NUS are holding a joint 3 day seminar in October. NUS agreed to enquire as to whether Col Baird should attend to give an overview of the Review.
· ASC agreed to consider further the issue of college involvement with the Community Planning process at forthcoming meetings.
5. Update on the Review
· The Executive gave a brief update of the Review including the additions to the remit and the changes to the timeline. The Review team were carrying out series of discussion meetings. The Executive informed that details could be found in the e-bulletin.
· It became apparent from the discussion that there had been problems with the distribution of the e-bulletin. This would be rectified.
6. Ministerial Powers of Intervention
· The group considered that Ministerial powers of intervention should remain in order that colleges shall retain charitable status. A paper would be put to the Core Group which is meeting on 7 October, as a paper from the working group. The amended paper would be circulated prior to this for the group's clearance.
· The wording in ASWG - P02, Para 14 on College Autonomy would be amended.
· The Funding Council agreed to provide the latest figures of funding grants.
· The analysis of the questionnaire sent to Board Chairs on 'College Governance and Accountability' was circulated. The initial comment was that responses to the question "any other issues" should also be included in this analysis. The Executive agreed to add this to the summary and re-issue the paper.
7. Research
· The Executive would be meeting shortly with the Foster Review Team in DFES to discuss their research and prevent any unnecessary duplication.
· It was suggested that Accountability and Governance in other sectors should also be considered as part of the research.
· It was agreed that some members of the working group should meet in advance to discuss the research needs of the Group and to prepare a paper prior to the full group meeting in October/November.
List of Action Points
· Minutes of last meeting to be amended accordingly.
· The Executive to rectify problems with the electronic distribution of the e-bulletin.
· NUS to check if Colin Baird should attend SPARQS/NUS Event in October.
· ASC agreed to consider further the issue of college involvement with the Community Planning process.
· Group's recommendation on ministerial intervention and charitable status to be written up and circulated prior to the Core Group meeting on 7 October.
· Executive to amend wording in ASWG - P02, Para 14 on College Autonomy.
· The Funding Council to provide the latest figures of funding grants.
· Executive to add comments under "any other issues" to the analysis of the questionnaire sent to Board Chairs on 'College Governance and Accountability' and re-issue the paper.
· Some members of the working group to meet to discuss the research needs of the Group and to prepare a paper prior to the full group meeting in October/November.
· A full Group meeting to be arranged for October/November.