People Cabinet Member – Minutes – 29 October 2014

169            (33)  REVISED PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION AND NOMINATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNORS The Director of People submitted a report which sought approval to change the current process regarding the selection and nomination of local authority governors.

The report identified a need to revise the current process and guidance so as to incorporate the Department for Education’s (DfEs) latest statutory guidance for governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities in England, published in May 2014.

Guidance for the appointment of Local Authority (LA) governors was significantly revised in 2013 and confirmed that authority governors were expected to play a key role regarding school improvement by supporting the council’s ambitions and policies.  The guidance encompassed more detailed information on the roles and expectations of LA governors and, for the first time, outlined the typical qualities that would make a good authority governor (eg the type of personal qualities, qualifications, skills and knowledge which would be desirable).

It was proposed that a number of alterations be made to the current appointments process summarised in Appendix 1 to the report. 

It was considered that the proposed arrangements would facilitate a closer alignment between governing bodies’ requirements and applicants skills, knowledge and experience.

Resolved – (a) That option 1 as detailed within the report be approved, and (b) that the Assistant Director (Prevention and Commissioning) be authorised to make subsequent minor changes, if appropriate, to improve process and documentation.

170      (34)  RECONSTITUTION OF ENDERBY ROAD INFANT SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORS – The Director of People submitted a report which sought approval to reconstitute the board of governors of Enderby Road Infant School.

The report outlined that at the full board of governors’ meeting of Enderby Road Infant School, held on 30 September 2014, the governors voted to reconstitute the governing body to bring it in line with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

The constitution of each board of governors was laid down in a document known as the instrument of government which a board of governors may at any time request to be changed, in accordance with the regulations, by variation.

Appendix 1 of the report set out the constitution of the board of governors in the form of an instrument of government, as requested by the governors of Enderby Road Infant School.

With effect from the 1 November, the existing governors would transfer to the appropriate category as per the new instrument of government.  Governors would continue to serve on the governing body until their term of office ceased and thereafter, the relevant appointments process would be followed in order to fill vacant positions.

Resolved – That option one outlined within the report be approved.

171      (35) RECONSTITUTION OF SOUTH FERRIBY PRIMARY SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORSThe Director of People submitted a report which sought approval to reconstitute the board of governors of South Ferriby Primary School.

The report outlined that at the full board of governors’ meeting of South Ferriby Primary School, held on 29 September 2014, the governors voted to reconstitute the board to bring it in line with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012.

The constitution of each board of governors was laid down in a document known as the instrument of government which a board of governors may at any time request to be changed, in accordance with the regulations, by variation.

Appendix 1 of the report set out the constitution of the board of governors in the form of an instrument of government, as requested by the board of South Ferriby Primary School.

With effect from the 1 November, existing governors would transfer to the appropriate category as per the new instrument of government. Governors would continue to serve on the governing body until their term of office ceased and thereafter, the relevant appointments process would be followed in order to fill vacant positions.

Resolved – That option one outlined within the report be approved.

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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.