Minutes of the Board - 8 December 2025

PART I – OPEN ITEMS

J. Hoyland in the Chair

54/25. Declarations of Interest

M. Hartland declared an interest an interest in Minute Number 66/25 as a candidate for appointment to the Board. They did not speak or vote for the duration of the item.

P. Tucker declared an interest an interest in Minute Number 66/25 as a candidate for appointment to the Board. They did not speak or vote for the duration of the item.

55/25. Minutes of Previous Board Meeting (Appendix, Agenda Item 3)

The Minutes of the meeting held on 06 October 2025, were approved as a correct record.

56/25. Matters Arising

None.

57/25. Change to Agenda Order

The Chair advised that the items set out at Minute Numbers 58 – 62/25 would be taken out of Agenda order, so a representative of the college’s Financial Statement’s auditors could attend the meeting remotely by Microsoft Teams.

58/25. Summary of Audit Committee Minutes and Recommendations from Committee Meeting held 26 November 2025 (Appendices – Agenda Item 8.c. i - iii)

The Committee Chair gave a verbal update and presented recommendations.

The Committee had reviewed the Internal Audit Service (IAS) Annual Report 2024 – 2025, conducted by the college’s IAS provider, Validera; this summarised the outcomes of the reviews conducted on the college’s framework of governance, risk management and control to assist the Board in making its annual governance statement. The Plan had approved 32 audit days and the individual reviews conducted had been delivered within this budget. Of the five reviews conducted, four had received Adequate Assurance and no reviews attracted Limited or No Assurance or urgent recommendations.

As the report was designed to assist the Governing Body in making its annual governance statement and complete its Annual Report to Board, the Committee had agreed that it had received sufficient assurance on the adequacy of the college’s controls and that this be reflected in the Committee’s Annual Report to Board.

The Committee had also considered a report from the Clerk (previously circulated) presenting a Declaration that no incidents of Fraud, Corruption or Whistleblowing had been reported to the Clerk’s Office during 2024 – 2025, in accordance with Financial Procedures.

59/25. Report from College Internal Audit Service – Internal Audit Plan 2025 – 2026 (Appendix, Agenda item 8.c.i)

The Committee Chair presented the draft Internal Audit Service Annual Plan 2025 – 2026 (previously circulated).

The report set out –

• • • The key findings of the Audit Needs Assessment (ANA), following discussions with key college personnel and the Audit Committee Chair;
    • The Service’s approach to the development of the Strategy; and
    • The Internal Audit Strategy.

Having reviewed the Annual Plan and concluded that it reflected the control requirements of the Board, it was

Resolved: that the Internal Audit Service Annual Plan 2025 – 2026, be approved.

60/25. Audit Committee Draft Annual Report 2024 – 2025 (Appendix – Agenda Item 8.c.ii)

The Committee had reviewed a précis of its activities for the Year 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2025 (previously circulated).

The Annual Report to the Board provided -

• • • a summary of the work of the Committee during 2024 - 2025, including any significant issues arising up to the date of preparation of the Report;
    • any significant matters of internal control included in the management letters and reports from auditors or other assurance providers;
    • the Committee’s view on its own effectiveness and how it had fulfilled its terms of reference; and
    • the Committee’s opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of the college’s audit arrangements, its framework of governance, risk management and control and its processes for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

The Report had been produced in accordance with reporting requirements and included a section on governors’ development.

Resolved: That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2024 – 2025, be accepted.

Action: Audit Committee Chair to sign Annual Report and Submit Report to DfE before 31 December 2025

61/25. Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework (BAF) (Appendix – Agenda Item 8.c.iii)

The Board reviewed the 2025– 2026 Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework (previously circulated).

The EDoF explained the risks identified and mitigating actions being undertaken. Whilst no risks were rated ‘red’, the strategic risk (Planned defunding of AGQs) remained ‘high amber’ as the SLT considered this to be the most significant risk at this point. The college was putting in place sufficient mitigating actions to control the risk and the Register would be amended going forward.

The Board concluded that the risks had been appropriately identified and the management actions reported were effectively mitigating these risks. In addition, each committee would continue to review risks within its remit at each meeting during 2025/26 and the Strategic Risk Register would be reviewed at every Board meeting.

Resolved: That

• • 1. the Risk Register and Board Assurance Framework (BAF) – November 2025 Update, be approved; and
    2. the risks identified for the 2025 – 2026 Risk Register and BAF, be approved.

Mr M. Munro, of Bishop Fleming, the college’s Financial Statements auditors, attended the meeting by remote access for the following item.

62/25. Approval of Financial Statements and Going Concern Report (Appendices - Agenda item 8.d.i)

The Board reviewed the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 (previously circulated), having already been considered by both the Audit Committee (Audit Min No. 25/25 refers) and the Finance & Business Operations Committee (F&BO Min No. 63/25 refers).

Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Mr Munro presented the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025 (previously circulated). The auditors confirmed an unqualified audit opinion in terms of both truth and fairness and regularity.

Key Issues for Discussion

Mr Munro advised that there was nothing adverse in the discussion report (previously circulated). He explained the report’s contents, as follows –

• • • No material errors had been identified.
    • No matters in relation to fraud or breaches in relation to laws and regulations had been identified.
    • Audit findings – the commentary was explained to the Board’s satisfaction.
    • Audit findings against other risks. The specific risks highlighted were:
      • Management override of controls
      • Revenue recognition.
      • No material errors had been identified.
    • The heightened risks highlighted:
      • Pension assumptions.
      • Capital projects.
      • No material errors had been identified.

Going Concern Assessment

The EDoF presented a report (previously circulated) providing the Board with assurance regarding the status of the college as a going concern. This report had also been presented to the Audit and F&BO committees, both of which had concluded that the Report provided the necessary assurance. The draft year end accounts, 2025 - 2026 financial plan and year to date operating outcomes demonstrated continuing good financial health.

Having received this report and the assurances of the Financial Statement auditors and the conclusions of the Audit & F&BO committees, the Board concluded that the college had in place adequate mitigating actions in place to ensure cash fluidity at this time during 2026.

Resolved: That, having considered the draft Financial Statements, the report of the Executive Director of Finance, the Financial Statements auditor’s report and the reports on going concern:

• • • the Board considered the Shrewsbury College to be a going concern; and
    • approved the draft year-end financial statements 31 July 2025 and Management Letter, for signature by the Chair and Principal/CEO.

Action: Board Chair and P/CEO to sign Statements and submit to the DfE before 31 December 2025

Mr Munro left the meeting at this point.

63/25. Chair’s Announcements

The Chair made the following announcements:

• • • Chair’s Action – none.
    • Governor Stakeholder Activities – governors reported on events they had attended, including the recent Christmas Concert.
    • Link Governor Visit Reports – those link governors who had conducted visits since the last Board meeting provided brief updates. The Board Chair requested that the Visit Reports be completed and submitted to the Clerk.
    • Learning Walk Report: Performing Arts (Vocational Provision) – 10 December 2025. The Board Chair advised any governor wishing to attend to contact the Clerk.

Action: Learning Walk 2025/26 Programme Spring Term date to be agreed and circulated to all governors

• • • R. Sartain would be leaving the Board, having served as an Independent Governor for two terms. The Board were invited to join the Chair after the meeting, to celebrate his achievements and pay tribute to his impact as a long serving and respected member of the Board. This would be the first of three social events provided to governors this year, the other two being –
    • Dinner for governors at Origins Restaurant on 04 February 2026; and
    • Summer party governors, partners and members of the SLT – 11 June 2026.

64/25. Principal/CEO’s Report (Confidential Appendix – Agenda item 6)

The P/CEO presented his report (previously circulated).

Having delivered the report, in response to questions, the P/CEO made the following additional observations –

• • • Recruitment, Retention and Attendance - Full-time recruitment and High Needs enrolments had both exceeded targets and growth funding was anticipated, subject to affordability adjustments. The additional High Needs enrolments required ongoing negotiation with the local authority. Adult, apprenticeship and higher education enrolments were marginally above target, with HE expected to improve further in January 2026, when there was an opportunity to increase enrolments with a cohort starting in the second semester. Retention was slightly higher than last year at 99% and attendance was 89.9%, below the 90% target but above last year’s 88.2%. English and maths resit attendance had improved by 1.6%, reflecting the focused work by the curriculum teams working with the English and maths teams.
    • Open Evenings and Applications for September 2026 - Applications for September 2026, were ahead of last year and attendance at open evenings and taster events had reached record levels, indicating another year of increased enrolments. In anticipation, the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) had identified small-scale projects to increase campus capacity, though larger strategic investment was still required.
    • Budget - The national budget had confirmed an additional £1.2bn per year for Further Education (FE) by 2028–29, equating to a 3% real-terms increase. £1.5bn was allocated for employment and skills support, including reforms to apprenticeships and measures to tackle NEETs. An International Student Levy was announced for 2028, with exemptions for the first 220 students.
    • Skills White Paper and Curriculum Review - The Careers & Skills Link Governor reported that she had discussed the White Paper at her most recent visit and had been assured that college was taking the appropriate planning actions.
    • World Skills 2025 – National Finals - A T Level Midwifery student had recently won gold at the national finals and two apprentices had placed in the top five at SkillsBuild 2025. The college had now achieved gold medals in four different disciplines, believed to be the only college in the country to achieve gold medals in four different disciplines since World Skills was introduced. The Board expressed its pride and congratulated the successful students.
    • Staff – the college had made a successful appointment to the role of Finance Manager, who would provide support to the EDoF and lead the Finance Team. The Director - Apprenticeships & Employer Partnerships had recently been recognised as a ‘Change Maker Powering Progress in the Industry’ at the Made in the Midlands Awards held at the House of Commons.

65/25. Strategic Discussion - Estates Update (Agenda Item 7)

The P/CEO presented a verbal strategic update on the college estate and the potential for funding from the Department for Education (DfE).

The Board received a verbal update on the various projects the college would pursue to expand teaching space at the college, including –

• • • Expanded use of the basement at the English Bridge Campus, although it was recognised that this would impact students using the space to take exams.
    • Revising the layout of the Brickwork facility at the London Road Campus to provide more teaching space.
    • Revising classroom utilisation at the Welsh Bridge Campus to provide more teaching space.
    • Exploring the use of portacabins to provide additional space at London Road, although this was the least desirable option.

The Board expressed its support for these initiatives but acknowledged that they provided limited mitigation and that the college had reached a limit both in terms of capacity and affordability, in what it could do if it wished to accommodate all students who wished to attend the college going forward. It concluded that the college was in great need of urgent capital funding and consideration of options provided a major strategic challenge to the Board.

The Clerk left the meeting at this point. In accordance with Instrument 12, the Board Chair was appointed to act as Clerk to the Committee during their absence.

66/25. Summary of Minutes and Recommendations from Committees (Appendices – Agenda Items 8. a & b))

Chairs of the committees presented the following meetings, drawing the Board’s attention to items of particular interest and presenting recommendations (Committee precis reports previously circulated).

67/25. Recommendations from Search & Governance Committee 16 October 2025 (Appendices, Agenda Item 8.a.i - iii)

Having declared interests, M. Hartland and P. Tucker declared an interest in this item and left the meeting at this point.

Succession Planning and Board Continuity

The Board had one vacancy for an Appointed Governor. The Committee had discussed the Board’s search and vacancy management strategy, reviewed the skills audit and succession plan and, as a result, recommended that M. Hartland, a current Parent Governor, be appointed as an Independent Governor with a term of 4 years, from 09 December 2025.

Resolved: That M. Hartland be appointed as an Independent Governor for a Term of 4 Year Term with effect from 09 December 2025 and be appointed to the Finance & Business Operations and Remuneration committees.

Action: Clerk - amend records

Since the last Board meeting, one of the staff governors had resigned, leaving the possibility of 2 Staff Governor vacancies, as the Term of P. Tucker was due to end in December 2025. Recruitment had followed standard procedures, resulting in an expression of interest being followed up by the Clerk and a recommendation to extend the Term of P. Tucker, based on her contribution to the Board as a respected and long serving member of the staff. To provide stability and continuity to the Board at a time when a new staff governor was being sought, the Board considered this to be an exceptional circumstance that warranted the extension of the Governor’s Term by 18 months only.

Resolved: That the Term of P. Tucker be extended to 31 April 2027.

Action: Clerk to update Board information and complete paperwork

M. Hartland and P. Tucker returned to the meeting.

68/25. Committee Membership 2025 – 2026

Having considered the skills audit and the personal preferences received, a proposed committee membership for 2025 – 26 was recommended, to be reviewed further at the next Committee meeting, to accommodate new appointments to the Board.

69/25. Shrewsbury College Instrument & Articles of Government (I&A)

The Committee had reviewed the Draft Instrument & Articles of Government (previously circulated) and discussed whether the revised document continued to provide a robust governance framework. The review had been initiated following approval of previous minor amendments required by the Department for Education. The Committee had concluded that the I&A continued to meet the Board's requirements and did not necessitate wholesale revision.

The Board reviewed the revisions presented, most of which were minor in nature. Attention was drawn to the proposed changes regarding the appointment of staff governors. The Board concluded that, as the changes did not affect the governing body's composition, there was no requirement to consult stakeholders regarding the revised document.

Resolved: That the revised Instrument & Articles of Government be approved.

Action: Clerk to update records and website

Finance & Business Operations Committee – 04 November 2025 (Appendix – Agenda Item 8.b.i)

The Committee Chair presented the following recommendation –

70/25. Recommendation from Finance & Business Operations Committee – 05 November 2024 - Health and Safety Annual Report 2024 – 2025 and Policy Statement

The Committee reviewed the Termly and Annual Report on Health and Safety across the college for August 2024 to July 2025 (previously circulated), which provided an update on Health and Safety and included an Assurance Statement about the Board’s responsibilities for health and safety.

The Committee had acknowledged that the Draft Health & Safety Policy had no major changes for 2025 – 2026. The Annual Health & Safety Policy Statement would be signed by the Board Chair and Principal/CEO after the Board meeting.

Resolved: That:

• • 1. the Health and Safety Annual Report 2024 – 2025, be approved; and
    2. That the college’s Health & Safety Policy be approved.

Action: Board Chair and P/CEO to sign 2025 – 2026 Health & Policy Statement.

71/25. Safeguarding Annual Report (Confidential Appendix – Agenda Item 12)

The Board considered the (previously circulated) Annual Safeguarding and PREVENT Report for assurance that statutory obligations had been met. The following points were highlighted –

• • • Leadership and Structure - A new Head of Safeguarding and Student Conduct had been appointed, increasing capacity and operational leadership across campuses. The OFSTED inspection in March 2025, had confirmed safeguarding arrangements were effective.
    • Student Support and Referrals - The number of students being referred for Safeguarding support continued to increase year on year. Entries on the safeguarding system for 2025 – 26 were already significantly ahead of the same time in any previous academic year.
    • Key Trends - Mental health concerns, suicide risk and sexual harm cases had increased. Awareness campaigns and staff training had strengthened identification and support for issues such as sexual harm and domestic abuse.
    • Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EHWB) - A new EHWB Practitioner role and additional counselling provision had been introduced. An increased number of students had accessed counselling services, including the in crisis out of hours service. More students had also received structured counselling programmes. Emotional Health and Wellbeing referrals from across the campuses; often referred by staff, had risen sharply.
    • Training and Compliance - Staff continued to receive mandatory training on Safeguarding and Prevent as well as providing information on these themes via other CPD and regular updates. Training compliance remained at 100%. The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) had delivered SSCP Raising Awareness training and annual updates. Specialist training covered themes such as harmful sexual behaviours, suicide prevention and criminal exploitation. Staff had received regular safeguarding briefings and updates, including Prevent following the Southport terror attack. The Board Chair reminded the Board that as Safeguarding Link Governor, she had set an expectation that all Governors undertake annual certified training on safeguarding and the Prevent Duty.
    • Governance and Student Voice - The Safeguarding Committee had met half-termly and included SLT, managers, curriculum teams and safeguarding staff. Student voice had been enhanced through a trained safeguarding board.
    • Overall Assurance - The Board noted strong compliance, proactive intervention and continuous improvement in safeguarding and wellbeing provision and were assured that statutory obligations were met and safeguarding arrangements were effective.

Resolved: That the Safeguarding Annual Self-Assessment Report 2024 – 2025, be accepted and approved.

The Clerk re-joined the meeting.

72/25. Radbrook Foundation – Nominative Trustee (Agenda Item 13)

The Board appointed 2 Nominative Trustees to the Radbrook Foundation Board. The current trustees were the P/CEO and R. Sartain. Due to the latter’s departure from the Board in December 2025, the Board was invited to appoint a Nominative Trustee.

Having been proposed by P. Tucker and seconded by R. Sartain, it was

Resolved: That M. Thompson be appointed as a Nominative Trustee to the Radbrook Foundation with effect from 09 December 2025.

Action: Clerk to advise Radbrook Foundation

73/25. Risk (Appendix, Agenda Item 14)

To support informed discussion, any changes in risk movement were highlighted in risk reports the committees received.

Having been advised of this, the Board reviewed those risks specific to the Board and agreed that the risks have been appropriately identified and the management actions reported were effectively mitigating these risks.

74/25. Date of Next Meeting

Next scheduled meeting - Monday, 23 March 2026 from 5.30 p.m. Venue – Higher Education Centre, London Road Campus.

75/25. Governance Pack

Precis of Minutes of Committee Meetings with no Recommendations for the Board

Committee Chairs presented a precis of the following -

• • • Quality, Standards & Curriculum Committee – 01 December 2025

The Committee had focused on reports on student progress, quality enhancement, higher education provision, student voice, careers strategy, safeguarding and equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI). The meeting focused on assurance around student outcomes, compliance with regulatory frameworks and strategic risks impacting quality and student experience.

• • • Finance & Business Operations Committee – 02 December 2025

The Committee focused on reviewing the college's progress with respect to –

• • • Financial Statements and Going Concern:
    • Period 3 Management Accounts:
    • 2025-26 Budget and Performance:

76/25. Compliance Reports (Appendices, Governance Pack)

The Board reviewed the Annual Compliance reports (previously circulated) for –

• • • Safeguarding
    • Prevent
    • SEND

The meeting ended at 8.25 p.m.