East Durham College Full Board Meeting 11th December 2025

J Bromiley, S. Bullock, M Anderson, A Brennan, H Driscoll, G Edmunds, R Harrison A Jefferson, R Harrison, O Fishburn, L Watson 

C Briggs – Vice Principal Curriculum and Performance 

J Mitchelson – Vice Principal Finance and Business Planning 

H McCoy – Assistant Principal Performance  

J Lanagan - Assistant Principal Curriculum Planning and Partnerships  

C Leece – RSM External Auditor 

S Pritchard – Clerk to the Corporation 

V Charlton – Committee Secretary  

Apologies were received from S Laverick, T Brown, S Robson & V Bailey 

The Chair proposed discussion on Accounts first then follow main agenda. 

No conflicts of interest were declared. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2025 were reviewed and approved as a correct record.   

• Health and safety report now includes trend data, as requested.
• AoB action to undertake quality impact assessment on Christmas closure on college was not undertaken, however Board feedback around communications was taken on board.   

The Student Union report was presented by the President, Vice President and NE. The first meeting with class representatives took place after half term and generated a good level of feedback and suggestions. 

The induction survey received a good response and an overview of results was shared. 

Freshers’ events were successful, with positive feedback from students and vendors. Mental health and wellbeing events were well attended, including LGBTQ+ activities, Mental Health Day, road safety sessions, drugs and alcohol awareness, and health and relationships workshops.  

The Chair thanked the Student Union for a clear and effective report. 

The Board noted the report 

The Principal presented the report which was confidential.  

Principal’s Update (confidential) 

The Principal presented the report which was confidential.  

The Board noted the report. 

SAR Validation Outcomes Report 

The Vice Principal (Curriculum and Performance) presented an overview of the work of the Curriculum Quality and Standards Committee in relation to validation. Governors noted that changes to Ofsted inspection frameworks require corresponding changes by the College. Two external validation panel members, LL (Landex) and SW (Newcastle College Group) participated in the panel and process.  

Chair of Curriculum Quality and Standard Committee, who chaired the SAR Validation Panel, confirmed that the revised report was strong and was appropriately focused on impact and honesty for its intended audience. 

The Board approved the SAR grades and report. 

Action: The Vice Principal to provide a data led evaluation report for Higher Education to Curriculum Quality and Standards Committee 

Finance and Resources Update (confidential) 

Management Accounts  

The Vice Principal for Finance and Business Planning presented the management accounts which were confidential.  

The Board noted the report. 

Annual Health and Safety Report    

The Vice Principal for Finance and Business Planning presented the report, which was noted as confidential. 

The Board noted the report. 

Annual Human Resources Report 

The Assistant Principal presented the report, which had previously been discussed at the Finance and General Purposes Committee.  

A Governor commented that the report was helpful. The Board currently attend student focus groups at the college, which provide valuable insight and it was suggested that similar focus groups could be established for staff. CLG to consider and a governor volunteered to attend once these groups are set up. 

The Board noted the report. 

Annual Internal Audit Report 2024-25 

The Annual Internal Audit Report 2024–25 was recommended to the Board by the Audit and Risk Committee.  Overall, the report was assessed as satisfactory, with strong outcomes achieved. The auditors regarded the report as positive and expressed satisfaction with the evidence reviewed. 

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee noted that the Committee is very pleased with the quality and detail of the reports. Internal audit arrangements were considered to be operating effectively. 

The Board noted the report. 

External Audit Findings Report 

RSM presented the audit report which was confidential.  

The Board accepted the report. 

Statutory Accounts – Members Report and Financial statement

RSM presented the Statutory Accounts and Financial Statements.  The report was confidential.  

The Board approved the Statutory Accounts and Financial Statements and delegated authority to the Chair and Principal to sign and submit them to the Department for Education  

Regularity Self-assessment questionnaire 

The Board approved the Regularity Self-Assessment questionnaire and delegated authority to the Chair and Principal to sign.  

Subcontract Arrangements 2025-26 

Vice Principal for Curriculum and Performance presented the report, which had previously been considered by the Audit and Risk Committee. The report was confidential.  

The Board approved the report.  

Chair’s Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2024-25 (confidential)  

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee presented the report, noting a generally positive assessment of the college’s effectiveness and operations.  

The Chair noted that the new strategy is in development and will ensure processes are in place to support effective governance. New appointees will strengthen the Board’s capacity for challenge and support. Periodic skills audits will guide recruitment on the Board to address gaps. 

The Board requested a plan to reflect changes to infrastructure and operations to be shared with and reviewed by Audit and Risk Committee.  

Governance Report 

The Clerk to the Corporation presented the report.   

It was noted that there were 10 candidates of which 7 were shortlisted and 6 interviewed.  On a recommendation from Search and Remuneration Committee 2 candidates were proposed for appointment. The Clerk explained the process undertaken and provided background information on the appointees.  Candidates were of high calibre and all involved in the process were impressed by the work undertaken by Peridot and recommended the candidates to the Board for approval. 

The Board agreed and approved the appointments.  

Governors noted that appointments addressed some of the issues previous raised in the Board reflecting the needs of the college.  

The Clerk informed the Board about the FE governance guide and intervention guidance and charity updates.   

Finance and General Purposes Terms of Reference were amended to reflect increase outlined in the Financial Regulations. 

The Board approved the updated Terms of Reference. 

The Clerk confirmed that the student governors would each be continuing for a further year.  

Clerk’s Annual Report 

The Clerk presented the Annual Report and highlighted the key points. 

Newly appointed members will attend the February Board meeting, and a further candidate is likely to be proposed for appointment at the February Board meeting.  

A new Governor induction is to be scheduled by the Committee Secretary. 

The schedule of College Board meetings for 2025/26 would need to align with those meetings. 

The Board noted the report.  

Minutes for Approval: 

Unconfirmed minutes of Finance and General Purposes 13/11/25 

This meeting focused on an in-depth review of Estates. The session outlined the College’s vision for the future development of the curriculum. A Governor remarked that it was valuable to see the plans in practice and to identify potential opportunities. Reference was made to the Strategic Planning session held in September, and it was agreed that a future session in 2026 would include a further review of the Estates plans.  

The Board noted and approved the minutes.

Unconfirmed Minutes of CQS (Nov 25)

SAR Validation  

The Board approved the minutes.  

Policies for approval:  Disciplinary; Eligibility to Work; Engaging Agency Workers; Fixed Term Contracts; Flexible Working; Grievance Policy. 

The accompanying cover sheet outlined the proposed changes, and no further comments were raised. The Principal provided an overview of the Policy Review Group and noted the value of having a robust system in place for the regular review of policies.  

A Governor noted that some of the amendments were purely administrative in nature and did not require consideration by the Board moving forward.  

The Board approved the Policies 

The Whistleblowing Policy is required to be reviewed by the Clerk, who outlined the proposed changes and explained that they are necessary due to recent changes in legislation. Some amendments arise because the existing policy extends beyond the scope required by legislation. The Clerk recommended that a periodic report regular report be submitted to the Board to report on any public interest disclosures. Top of Form 

The Chair thanked the College Leadership Group for the substantial progress achieved.