Hampshire Governors' Representative Group
Notes of Meeting
22nd October 1996
Present: Jim Watt (SW); Terry Tillman (NE); John Bailey (SW);
John Brailsford (SE);
Ian Stemp (SE); Peter High (CE); Hugh Deed (NE);
Janet Sheriton (Clerk)
1. Apologies were received from Mr J Rowson (CE); Mrs E
Bishop (NE).
Mr E Pryke had resigned as he is no longer a serving
governor
2. Notes of the 11/6/96 meeting were agreed as a correct
record.
3. Matters Arising; Warner Baker (Wildern School) had
agreed to represent Hampshire Governors on the Career
Service Consultative Body. HGRG endorsed this and asked
the clerk to write thanking him and asking him to provide
a brief annual report to HGRG or indicate his wish for an
item to be on the Agenda if the occasion arose.
JS
4. HGRG Amended Constitution: The amendments were agreed.
The constitution to be circulated to Headteachers'
Conferences and Patch Fora to invite comment by the end
of January 1997.
JS
5. Education Budget 97/8: Hugh Deed referred to the
National Governors' Council correspondence and the HGRG
letter to all Chairmen of Governors. A draft of a HGRG
letter to the Chancellor was agreed and would be copied
to all Hampshire MPs, Gillian Shephard, HGRG members,
Chairman of the Education Committee and the County
Education Officer. MPs would also be sent a copy of the
National Governors' Council material.
JS
6. HGRG Conference: It had proved very difficult to attract
speakers of sufficient national stature. Two were still
being pursued. It was agreed that if no major speakers
had accepted by 1st November the conference should be
cancelled.
(Post meeting note - The Conference has been cancelled).
JS
7. Patch Items: from
Waterside - Governors wanted reassurance that the
current project on More Able Children would
continue. Clarification to be sought by HGRG
at County Governors Forum.
HD
- There was some concern about the form of
address for Chairmen of Governors. In
discussion HGRG took the view that the
County protocol was
established that this should be 'Chairman'
and unless there was evidence that this
was breaking down there was no need to
take this matter further.
Southampton - Assurance was sought by city
governors that Southampton will receive its
share of any money recovered should the Digital
Fire Appeal be successful. To be raised at
CGF.
HD
South East - Governors were anxious that Nursery
Voucher information should be made available to
parents making the arrangements as clear as
possible. Request report from HCC on its plans
to inform parents.
JS for CGF Agenda
South West - Disappointment was expressed that the
Architects Department recent survey of school
glass had not included a risk assessment. HGRG
would like the CEO to comment on this matter at
County Governors Forum
JS for CGF agenda
8. County Governor Forum - Draft Agenda: In response to a
question HGRG agreed that input from any current member
to the budget debate was useful and SCC and PCC should
contribute as usual.
The CGF Agenda should have the items identified in 7
added.
JS
CGF Item 7 - The CEO be requested to address:
"What is happening between now and April 1st", in
particular 'how is eduction being run'; 'what are the
consequences of people leaving the service this term';
'how will service levels be maintained during the Spring
term'; 'how will the old and the new be run for 6
months'?
9. Chair's Items - None
10. National Governors' Council - Autumn Conference
Hugh Deed; Peter Whitmarsh and Janet Sheriton to attend.
Others should indicate to the clerk if they were
interested. The clerk to clarify with Peter Whitmarsh
who was submitting bookings.
JS
11. Education Committee - As Eddie Pryke had resigned there
were no items.
Ian Stemp was elected by HGRG to be their representative
on Education
Committee until 31st March 1997. John Bailey would
deputise if Ian was unable to attend. Dates of Education
Committee meetings to be forwarded to Ian and John.
JS
12. Treasurer's Items. John Brailsford indicated that with
£2206 spent to date HGRG was well within budget.
13. Review of Matters to Communicate - Jim Watt introduced
this item. He had been asked for a HGRG view of the
recent White Paper 'Self Government for Schools' for
Hampshire Governor. The White Paper was now a Bill and
maybe an Act before the general election. Following
discussion HGRG asked for this to be added to County
Governor Forum so that the CEO could indicate what the
Department's response to the White Paper had been. What
the implications would be for the County of 95%
delegation; changes to selection arrangements; home
school contracts. HGRG had no comment on the White Paper
for Hampshire Governor at this stage.
Editor of Hampshire Governor had asked for views of a new
governor and Jim had put him in touch with someone.
The leaflet about the Fora arrangements and HGRG had not
been received by a new governor. The clerk to check that
these were being sent out with Induction Packs to new
governors and made available on new governors courses.
JS
14. Any Other Business
- At their next meeting HGRG requested an update on:
Governor Recruitment
Support for disabled governors
Certificates for governors
JS
- Budget Discussion Meeting 10/12/96
Representative of Heads Conferences to be invited to
present their views of the 97/8 budget priorities
JS
HGRG members to be reminded that their attendance at
the 10/12/96 meeting is very important by a note
with these minutes.
JS
- New Governance Regulations were discussed and the new
regulations concerning content of Annual Report. HGRG
will take their concerns to National Governors' Council
about the increasing amount of prescriptive and
meaningless information that has to be included in the
Annual Report. Any Patch which wishes to comment should
do so through their HGRG representative.
PW
All Patch Fora
The meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.
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