Meeting of 21 July 2009

Transcription

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Board of Management
FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Agenda
Notice
NOTICE OF MEETING
A meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee will take place on Tuesday, 21 July 2009 in
Room G25, Committee Room, Gallowgate Centre, Gallowgate, Aberdeen.
The meeting is expected to begin at 10:30am following the meeting of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment
of Principal.
MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE:
Mr. Dunn
Mr. Duthie
Dr. Heywood
Ms. Johnstone
Prof Melvin
Mr. Milroy
Acting Principal Scott
Mr. Smith
Mrs. Stewart (Convenor)
IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr Deane, Secretary to the Board of Management
Mr. Duncan, Interim Director of Finance
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Agenda
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Minute of Previous Meeting
2.1. Meeting held on 19 May 2009 (paper enclosed)
3. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting
3.1. to be raised at the meeting.
4. Report by the Principal (paper enclosed)
5. Matters for Discussion
5.1. Review of Policy on Reserves (paper enclosed)
5.2. Capital Grant, New Facility, Altens Centre (paper enclosed)
6. Matters for Decision
6.1. Student Activity AY2008-09 (paper enclosed)
6.2. Investment and Project Committee (paper enclosed)
7. Summation of Business and Date and Time of Next Meeting
Reserved Item of Business
8.1. Financial Monitoring – 12 Months to 31 July 2009
9. Summation of Business
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Draft Minute of Meeting of 19 May 2009
The meeting commenced at 1000 hours.
PRESENT – I Heywood, A Johnstone, K Milroy, R Scott, K Stewart
IN ATTENDANCE – C Deane, A Duncan
Mr Milroy welcomed Mr Deane to his first meeting of the Committee as Secretary to the Board.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from B Dunn, M Melvin, and A Smith.
2. Minute of previous Meeting
The Minute of Meeting held on 17 March 2009 was approved.
3. Matters arising from previous Minute
There were no matters arising.
4. Report by the Principal
The Committee noted a report providing information on: the success of the visit of Ms Fiona Hyslop, MSP,
to the College and Robert Gordon University to discuss new developments in the partnership between
Aberdeen College and RGU; forthcoming Student Achievement and Community Citizenship Awards Ceremony;
arrangements for the College’s International Day; invitation to the College to become a key partner in the
Union Square Project; Aberdeen Local Development Plan; and internal audit.
Mr Scott expressed the view that it was gratifying to note the continued success of College students and
staff in achieving national awards in such a diverse range of settings.
Mr Scott commended the success of the event held on 18 May 2009 to celebrate the 5th anniversary of
the establishment of the degree link programme between Aberdeen College and RGU. It was good to note
that the event was attended by representatives of the many stakeholders of both institutions, Governors
of the University, and Members of the Board of Management of the College and that this provided further
evidence of the strong and well developed links between the two institutions. Mr Scott also commented on
the successful event held on Thursday 14 May at which course leaders and academic managers from both
institutions were able to share their experiences and celebrate the success of the degree link programme.
Members were informed that, following a presentation by Mr Scott to a recent meeting of the Capital
Investment Committee of the Scottish Further and Higher Education Council (SFC) in support of the Board’s
estates strategy and that Committee’s consideration of the College’s case for funding, the College had
received notification that the Committee had decided to recommend to the SFC that the College receive
£12,000,000 to progress phase one of the strategy. Mr Scott noted that the SFC’s previous position had
been that no funds could be made available to the College. Members were informed that although the SFC
had never rejected a recommendation by the Capital Investment Committee, the Board should act prudently
and enter into a conditional contract for the construction of the new facility at Altens that was dependent
upon the receipt of unequivocal formal notification of the award of grant from the SFC. The Board was
informed that it was expected that notification would be received in early July 2009 and that it remained
the case that the new facility at Altens Centre would open for students in August 2010.
Mr Scott commented that the provision of SFC capital support gave the College certainty of funding for
capital projects for the next two years and that, with Members’ permission, proposals would be brought to
the next meeting of the Board of Management on the detail of how the next phase of the estates strategy
might be fulfilled. Background information was provided to Members on the constituent elements of phase
one of the estates strategy, which had been determined by the Board of Management at its meeting in
October 2008.
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Mr Deane was asked to convey the Committee’s thanks to all those who helped make the 5th Birthday
celebrations such a success.
Mrs Stewart congratulated Mr Scott on the achievements to date in the progression of the estates
development strategy.
5.1 Student Activity AY2008-09
The Committee noted a report on the forecast outturn level of activity for the current academic year.
Data were provided on the forecast outturn level of activity analysed across academic sectors
and non-sector teams in April 2009, together with comparable data from the previous year.
Mr Scott advised the Committee that the data were an estimate of where the College might be at
the end of the academic year. He drew Members’ attention to the decision taken by the Scottish
Further and Higher Education (SFC) to change the way that the College measures work based
learning activity and the consequent lower level of measured student activity.
Mr Scott informed Members that the forecast outturn level of measured student activity was
expected to be in the region of 156,000 wSUMs using the measurement criteria set by the SFC.
Information was provided on the new business processes that the College has introduced recently
to bring a greater degree of certainty to the estimation of the number of SUMs earned by the
College. These new processes, which draw data directly from the College’s student records
system, provide a greater degree of accuracy in measuring the amount of student activity earned
as the academic year progresses.
Mr Scott expressed the view that the forecast outturn level of activity for the current year was too
close to the SFC target level of activity to be used as a basis for planning activity for the forthcoming
academic year. It was noted that for planning and management purposes the College had set an
initial activity target of 160,000 wSUMs for AY2009-10 and that this afforded the College room
for manoeuvre to respond to any unforeseen external events such as the decision taken by the
SFC in this academic year to reduce the measured value of work based learning activity.
Mr Milroy asked if the economic downturn had led to changes in demand led training in sectors
such as construction, oil and gas. Mr Scott drew attention to the information that he had circulated
recently to Members on the level of applications that the College had received for courses in the
coming year. While it was clear that the economic situation had an effect on organisations such
as sector skills councils, it was the case that the likely level of activity with these partners might
be broadly in line with the current year.
Dr Heywood expressed the view that the national policy priority in relation to skills and apprenticeships
might have a compensating positive impact on the College.
5.2 Accommodation in Aberdeenshire
The Committee noted a report providing information relating to property matters.
Information was provided on measures being taken to fulfil the Board’s strategy for estates
development in Aberdeenshire by establishing satellite centres in the main centres of population
in the area. Members noted that, as Inverurie is the largest town in Aberdeenshire, priority is
being given to establishing an independent presence there.
Members also noted that discussions have taken place with Aberdeenshire Council regarding the
acquisition of land in Stonehaven, and with a developer who is pursuing plans for a significant
expansion of Ellon.
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5.3 Investment and Project Committee
Mr Milroy updated Members on matters discussed by the Investment and Project Committee at
its meetings held on 17 March and 27 April 2009.
6.
Members noted information provided on a feasibility study being undertaken on potential satellite
sites; the consideration that the SFC had given to the Board’s request for capital funding to support
estates development; ongoing discussions with regard to the former Balgownie Centre; and the
progression of the new training facility at Altens Centre.
Mr Scott provided further information on the position regarding planning permission for the former
Balgownie Centre.
Matters for Decision
6.1 SFC Offer of Grant-in-Aid 2009-10
The Committee considered the offer of grant-in-aid made to the Board of Management by the
Scottish Further and Higher Education Council (SFC) for the forthcoming financial year.
Members were informed that, in order to meet the response deadline set by the SFC, the matter
was being considered at meetings of the Board’s Standing Committees. Members noted that
this matter had been considered at the meeting of the Human Resources Committee held earlier
in the day and would be considered at the meeting of the Course Provision and Student Services
Committee to be held later in the day.
The Committee noted that the SFC has asked college boards of management to consider the
offer of grant and associated target for AY2009-10 and to confirm to the SFC:
•
•
•
acceptance of the proposed funding and activity target;
offer to deliver more activity than the proposed activity; or
refuse the offer of funding and offer to deliver less activity in return for proportionately less
funding.
Mr Scott drew Members’ attention to the briefing paper on the SFC offer of grant to the College that
had been issued as part of the papers for the meeting. Members were informed that for 2009-10
the SFC had increased the amount of revenue grant to Scotland’s colleges by approximately 2%
compared with the current year and that the increase in the funding offered to Aberdeen College
was approximately 2%. Mr Scott expressed the view that, in this time of economic recession,
such a level of increase was to be welcomed.
The Committee noted that the SFC has given priority to increasing bursary and other forms of funding
assistance to students. Members were informed that these funding allocations are determined
largely by student demand and that Aberdeen College had not experienced the significant increases
in demand for bursary support that were apparent in other parts of Scotland. Consequently the
College would not receive an increase in its bursary funding for next year. However the SFC had
recognised the increased demand for discretionary and childcare funding and had decided to
increase Aberdeen College’s allocation of such funds by 8% in the coming year.
Mr. Scott noted the negative impact on the underlying financial position of the College of the
reduction in bank deposit interest rates that might be earned on College reserves, which, when
comparing the position today with the corresponding time last year, had the effect of reducing
income by approximately £700,000 and that, taken together with the full year effects of cost
increases in the current year, the impact on the College budget is an estimated reduction of
£1,000,000 in the underlying surplus of the College.
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Agenda Item 2
Mr Scott advised the Committee that the impact of the economic downturn and the expected
period of public spending constraint might lead to a position where the level of annual surplus
generated by the College is lower in the future than that achieved in recent years. That said,
it remained the case that the College budget would be set and managed to ensure that the College maintained a position of strong financial security.
Mr Scott advised the Committee that the draft College budget would be prepared on a basis
that allowed the Board to: fund its strategic aims and objectives; continue to invest in the staff
of the College; develop means of electronic access and the use of information technologies in
learning and teaching and business processes; improve the physical environment; and pursue
estates development. He commented that the College must continue to develop and enhance
its services if they are to remain relevant and attractive to students and employers.
Members’ attention was drawn to the College’s student-centred approach to learning and teaching
and that, in addition to seeking out and developing innovative approaches, the College needed
to continue to involve students by drawing upon their experience and knowledge in planning and
implementing the ICT strategy.
After some discussion, Mr Milroy proposed the motion that the Committee recommend that the
Board of Management accept the offer of grant funding for AY 2009-10 proposed by the SFC,
and the associated level of activity measured in wSUMs. Dr Heywood seconded the motion,
which was agreed without dissent. Members were informed that at its meeting earlier in the day
the Human Resources Committee had adopted a motion in the same terms as those adopted
by the Committee.
6.2 Equipment Acquisition, Academic Year 2009-10
The Committee considered approval of the acquisition of items of equipment.
After some discussion Dr Heywood proposed the motion that the Committee approve the items
identified in the appendix to the paper and requested the Acting Principal to action expenditures,
subject to the availability of funding. Ms Johnstone seconded the motion, which was agreed
without dissent.
In response to a question from Mr. Duthie, Mr. Scott provided information to the Committee on
arrangements for recycling and disposal of redundant equipment.
6.3 Server Virtualisation
The Committee considered approval of the acquisition of items of equipment and associated
expenditures relating to the implementation of a programme of server virtualisation in
AY2009-10.
Members noted the costs of acquiring and commissioning the equipment required for the
proposed virtualisation project together with aggregate projected savings on equipment and
power consumption.
After some discussion Dr Heywood proposed the motion that the Committee approve the acquisition
of the items of equipment and associated expenditure identified in the paper and requested the
Acting Principal to action expenditures, subject to the availability of funding. Mr Duthie seconded
the motion, which was agreed without dissent.
6.4 Banking Arrangements
The Committee considered the establishment of bank accounts to facilitate treasury management
arrangements.
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Agenda Item 2
Members noted that opportunities had been identified for the College to obtain a greater rate of
return on deposits and that extending the College’s range of banking relationships would facilitate
the more active management of funds on deposit at minimal risk.
After some discussion Mr Milroy proposed the motion that the Committee approve the establishment
of banking arrangements set out in section 4 of the paper and authorise the Convenor of the
Finance and General Purposes Committee and the Acting Principal to sign any documentation
that might be required to create bank current accounts with Barclays Bank, Clydesdale Bank,
Co-operative Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. Ms Johnstone seconded the motion, which
was agreed without dissent.
6.5 Aberdeen College Students’ Association – Homologation of Decision
The Committee homologated Members’ decisions taken by letter to accept the proposal by the Students’ Association to change the service arrangements of the post of Sabbatical President of
the Aberdeen College Students’ Association.
7. Summation of Business and date and time of next Meeting
The Secretary gave a summation of the business conducted. The next meeting of the Finance and General
Purposes Committee will be held on Tuesday 21 July 2009.
Reserved Items of Business
8.1 Financial Monitoring – Financial Year to 31 July 2009
8.2 HM Revenue and Customs
The meeting concluded at 1130 hours.
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Agenda Item 4
Report by the Principal
1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide information to the Committee.
2. Student Awards
2.1. The Learning Development Centre Awards Ceremony was held in June 2009.
Students, family members and friends were joined by tutors who delivered
classes on Learning Opportunities Programmes to celebrate the students’
success in completing their courses this year.
2.2. A special awards ceremony was held in June to celebrate student achievement
and citizenship. At the ceremony, students whose achievements have
been exemplary joined together with those who have demonstrated good
citizenship through worthwhile activities or by helping others in the community.
Mr. Ken Milroy, Chair of the College Board of Management, presented the
awards and Captain Jane Alton, in her role as College Chaplain, announced
the winners.
2.3. A presentation took place in May to recognise the achievements while on work-placement of
students currently studying Care and Community Work courses at Aberdeen College. As part
of their course the students must complete a work-placement to gain the
practical skills required.
2.4. A special ceremony was held at Northfield Academy in May to mark the
achievement of Peter Hanratty, a pupil at the Academy. Peter has participated
in the Skills for Work Construction course at Aberdeen College and received
the Best Overall Student Award, which was presented by Graeme Nicol,
Deacon Convener of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.
2.5. A group of Aberdeen College Computing students produced a video for the
‘see me’ campaign, aimed at raising public awareness of issues related to
mental ill-health. The winning students, Vania Fernandes, Laura Smith and
Sunisa Trisirichok were congratulated by Zusie Vestri, campaign director of
‘see-me’ as winners of the competition for their very moving and thought
provoking video.
3. College Awards
3.1. Matrix Standard
Aberdeen College has been successfully accredited against the matrix Standard following
assessment of our guidance service. Matrix is the national quality standard for organisations that
deliver information, advice and guidance on learning and work. The College is the only further
education college in Scotland to be accredited against this national standard.
3.2. Environmental Management System - ISO14001 Standard
In recent months Aberdeen College has worked towards the achievement of ISO 14001, which
is the internationally recognised Standard for the environmental management of businesses.
Following an assessment visit by the British Standards Institute (BSI) that took place in June
2009, the Assessors reported orally that the College met the requirements of the Standard and
we should expect to have that confirmed by the BSI. A response from the BSI is awaited at the
time of writing this report.
The College is the one of only 3 in the United Kingdom to achieve the Standard.
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Agenda Item 4
The achievement of the ISO 14001 is part of a range of actions that we are taking to make
the College a more sustainable place to study and work through reducing our environmental
impact.
The Assessors have commented that Aberdeen College is well beyond the minimum standard
required and that we are well ahead of where it might be expected to be at this application
stage of the Standard. We have been told that the Assessors found that our staff demonstrated
commitment to environmental management.
3.3. Customer Service Excellence Standard
Last year the College was one of the first public sector organisations in the UK to achieve the
Standard, which had been established as a development of the previous Charter Mark (the College
has held the Charter Mark since it was first introduced in 1994).
Mr. Trevor James, the Assessor who visited the College in June, met the Acting
Principal and other senior staff and visited the Gordon Centre and talked to
students and staff. He reported back that he had found the College to be
100% compliant with the requirements of the Customer Service Excellence
Standard and that in his experience this was a unique position. The Assessor
commented on the continuing improvements in the College’s service and the
obvious enthusiasm of the students and staff that he met. Written confirmation
of the Assessor’s findings is awaited at the time of writing this report.
3.4. Healthy Working Lives Gold Award
Aberdeen College achieved the Scottish Health at Work (SHAW) Bronze Award in 1997, the SHAW
Silver Award in 2003 and the SHAW Gold Award in 2006 in recognition of its positive approach
to health promotion in the workplace.
In 2007, the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives (HWL) launched a revised awards programme,
which superseded the SHAW awards programme. The College was advised of the transitional
criteria, which it was required to meet to convert its SHAW Gold Award to the new HWL Gold
Award at the end of the 3 year review period in 2009.
The College submitted portfolios for all three awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold for review by the
Workplace Health Promotion Team and a formal assessment took place in June 2009.
The Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives has now confirmed that the College has achieved
the Gold Award.
4. National Business Awards
4.1. The College was one of three organisations short-listed recently as a finalist in one of the categories
of the National Business Awards, the category being “The Orange Best use of Technology in
Business Award”. The College was one of only two public sector organisations to be short-listed
across eight award categories this year. This continues the College’s proud record of reaching
the finals of these awards.
5. Student Events
5.1. The annual end of term Fashion Show which HND Textiles students host each
year at the College’s Gallowgate Centre, was held in June 2009. Students
modelled creations that they have both designed and made themselves. The
students were given various themes to inspire their work including Circus,
Jazz cafe, Viva Las Vegas, Culture Vultures and Theatre.
5.2. Students enjoyed at day of culture and costume in May at Aberdeen College’s
International Day. Hundreds of students and staff attended the event. This
year, students represented countries such as Poland, Russia, Turkey, Thailand,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Latvia and Slovakia – as well as Scotland.
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5.3. Aberdeen College and Turning Point Scotland arranged an exhibition of
students’ work in Rosemount, Aberdeen. The exhibition was themed
around the charity’s tenth anniversary. The students exhibited a selection of
paintings, mixed media work and printmaking with thirty per cent of sales
going to the charity.
5.4. Aberdeen College’s HNC Acting & Performing Arts students are staged
their annual production at the Lemon Tree in June. This year’s play was ‘The
White Bird Passes’ by Anne Downie, based on the true story of local author
Jessie Kesson’s life, growing up in Elgin in 1926.
5.5. A specialist Adobe Trainer delivered lectures over two days in May to staff,
students and some of our employer-partners demonstrating the latest software
available form Adobe.
5.6. Alyn Smith, MEP, visited the College in May to brief HND Visual Communication
students on the launch of a Logo competition by the European Parliament,
open to students across the European Union. The logo will be designed to
represent organic produce in the EU.
6. Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC)
6.1. The SFC has decided to change its arrangements for the oversight of the financial position of
Scotland’s colleges. With immediate effect, the SFC will ‘streamline its monitoring, evaluation
and accountability arrangements’ as part of the implementation of ‘a lighter touch approach’.
6.2. Officials of the SFC will no longer undertake annual engagement visits to all colleges to discuss
their financial positions and will only undertake visits on an ‘exceptions’ basis.
6.3. The SFC has also decided to stop the collation of financial benchmarking data submitted by
College as part of the process developed on the SFC’s behalf by KMPG in 2002. The SFC will
now publish one set of financial data drawn from information taken from colleges’ audited annual
accounts.
7. Recommendation
7.1. It is recommended that the Committee note the contents of this report.
Roddy Scott
Acting Principal
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Agenda Item 5.1
Review of Policy on Reserves
1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this report is to enable the Committee to undertake a review of the Board’s Policy
on Reserves.
2. Background
2.1. The Board of Management has established a timetable for the review of policies established by
the Board and its Standing Committees.
2.2. The scheduled review of the Policy is to be undertaken in July 2009.
3. Review
3.1. Experience has shown that the current policy has been effective and has presented no strategic
or operational problems. A minor change is proposed at this review. It is to revise the figure given
in the Policy for the total budget cost of the Board’s estates development strategy to the figure
reported at the recent review of the strategy.
4. Recommendation
4.1. It is recommended that the Committee:
4.1.1.
note the information provided in the report;
4.1.2.
undertake the scheduled review of the Policy noted in this report;
4.1.3.
if so minded, adopt the Policy following review; and,
4.1.4.
set a date at which the Policy will next be reviewed.
Roddy Scott
Acting Principal
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Policy on Reserves
Agenda Item 5.1
Appendix
Policy on
Reserves
Review Date July 2009
Policy on Reserves
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
This policy sets out the Board of Management’s policy on reserves.
1.2
The purpose of the policy is to aid the Board to maintain sufficient resources
to meet its strategic aims.
1.3
The term ‘reserves’ has a variety of meanings. In this case ‘reserves’ is
taken to mean the cash, or cash equivalents, that are available to the Board
of Management.
1.4
Reserves may take the form of restricted or unrestricted reserves. Restricted
reserves are those which carry conditions as to their use, for example the
retained proceeds of property disposal or grants given to the College for a
specific purpose. Unrestricted reserves are those which the Board of
Management is free to use at its discretion within the limits set by the
Financial Memorandum issued by the Scottish Further and Higher Education
Funding Council (SFC).
2.0
POLICY ON RESTRICTED RESERVES
2.1
The Board of Management shall comply with the conditions that are set for
the use of such funds by the organisation that provided them.
3.0
POLICY ON UNRESTRICTED RESERVES
3.1
The Board of Management shall hold reserves to:
* support the achievement of its strategic aims;
* provide protection from unplanned changes in the financial environment;
and,
* to fund, in part, the progression of the Board’s estates development
strategy, which is estimated to cost £100 111.5 million.
3.2
Reserves shall be held in the range of 15% to 25% of forecast annual
expenditure.
3.3
The Board of Management shall, subject to the sufficiency of funds and
taking one year with another, operate a balanced budget by matching
operational income and expenditure. Opportunities shall be taken to
augment the financial reserves of the College.
3.4
The Board of Management shall monitor and review the level of reserves
during the financial year as part of established monthly financial monitoring
arrangements.
Status: Adopted by the Finance and General Purposes Committee
Date of Version: July 2007
Responsibility for the Policy: Finance and General Purposes Committee
Responsibility for Implementation: Principal
Responsibility of Review: Finance and General Purposes Committee
Date of Establishment: July 2007
Date of Review: July 2009
Agenda Item 5.2
Capital Grant, New Facility, Altens Centre
1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this paper is to assist the Committee consider acceptance of the offer of capital
funding made by the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC).
2. Background
2.1. The SFC has confirmed its decision to offer capital grant to Aberdeen College to support the
fulfilment of the first phase of the Board’s estates development strategy. Confirmation of the offer
and its associated conditions was given in a letter received earlier this month, which is attached
as an appendix to this paper.
2.2. The SFC has requested that the Board of Management consider formal acceptance of the offer
of capital funding in the terms set out in the appendix.
2.3. The College’s success in securing the award of grant follows the SFC’s consideration of the case
that the College had made for funding support in written submissions and a presentation to the
SFC’s Capital and Investment Committee earlier this year. (The SFC’s previous position had been
that no funds could be made available to the College.)
2.4. The grant provided by the SFC provides the College with certainty of funding for capital projects
for the next two years.
3. Recent Consideration by the Board of Management
3.1. The Board of Management, at its meeting in June 2009, noted a paper presented by Mr. Scott
providing information on the progression of the Board’s estates development strategy in the
context of the changed national economic environment. Members noted that the Board’s estates
development strategy was well established. Information was provided to Members on the planned
phases of the Board’s estates strategy and, in the light of these new economic realities, how the
identified priorities might be addressed and funded in the medium term.
4. Offer and Associated Conditions
4.1. The offer of capital grant has been made in terms that had been expected by the College.
4.2. The terms and conditions of grant were anticipated by the College and operational plans have
been established to ensure that the College is able to meet the specific and standard terms and
conditions of capital grant set out in the SFC’s letter of offer.
4.3. The specific conditions of grant relate to the appointment and role of the Project Sponsor. The
SFC’s requirements have been met by the appointment of Mr. Robert Bellfield, Associate Principal
as Project Sponsor. (Mr. Bellfield’s duties have been adjusted to accommodate this role.)
5. Recommendation
5.1. It is recommended that the Committee:
5.1.1.
consider acceptance of the SFC’s offer of capital funding and its associated terms and
conditions; and,
5.1.2.
request the Acting Principal to write to the SFC to notify the Council of its decision.
Roddy Scott
Acting Principal
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Agenda Item 5.2
Appendix
Agenda Item 6.1
Student Activity AY 2008-09
1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with information on the projection of the
level of student activity in academic year 2008-09 (AY 2008-09).
2. Background
2.1. For the purposes of securing funding from the Scottish Further and Higher Funding Council (SFC)
College activity is measured in weighted student units of measurement (wSUMs), which provide
a method of aggregating student activity on different types of course and different modes of
attendance in such a way that the duration of each programme and its resource demands are
approximately reflected in the aggregated totals.
2.2. The College’s target of student activity set by the SFC for the academic year is 151,214 wSUMs
(1.2% more than the AY 2006-07 funded activity level); if the College fell more than 2% short of
that target it would be required to pay back part of grant-in-aid, i.e. grant would be paid back if
activity was measured to be less than 148,189 wSUMs.
2.3. The College monitors the level of enrolments and the rate of retention throughout the year, as
well as the projected level of additional activity. These data are important in allowing the College
to ensure that activity will at least meet the required target levels.
3. Projected Activity Levels AY 2008-09
3.1. The projected figures for wSUMs for each type of activity are detailed in the appendix to this report.
It should be noted, however, that the figures can only be approximate as the final calculation of
wSUMs can only be made at the end of the academic year, as it is dependent on the final tally
of enrolments for all types of activity across the whole year, the retention rates and the exact
weightings applied by the SFC at the end of the year. Experience has shown that the figures as
projected at this time of the year tend to be an overstatement of the actual position. As such the
data below are only indicative.
4. Recommendation
4.1 It is recommended that the Committee note the contents of this report.
Roddy Scott
Acting Principal
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Appendix 1 – Agenda Item 6.1
Forecast Outturn as at 5 June 2009
FORECAST OUTTURN
as at 5th June 2009
Forecast
wSUMs
AY2007-08
Forecast
wSUMs
AY2008-09
(In-Yr Count
at 02/02/09)
Forecast
WSUMs
AY2008-09
Business Computing and Land-based
27,271
25,752
25,258
Creative Industries Sport and Languages
27,576
28,154
27,440
Engineering and Construction
27,560
25,402
24,534
Service Industries and Social Science
24,570
24,003
24,076
106,977
103,311
101,308
Community and Lifelong Learning
10,300
10,123
10,476
Learner Services (LDC, MMC, PD,ITC)
11,655
10,762
7,203
Flexible Learning (BDU, ETHOS, OE)
21,975
16,418
21,456
Extended Learning Support
16,200
15,700
15,750
1,472
504
451
61,602
53,507
55,336
Total
168,579
156,818
156,644
Actual Outturn wSUMs - AY2007-08
163,467
Sector Sub total
ASET
Non-sector Sub total
SFC Funded wSUMs – AY 2008-09
SFC Funded wSUMs - AY2007-08
Notes
151,214
151,214
1 Experience shows that the estimates of student activity that are made during the year are broad approximations
to the final outturn figure. This is because the final calculation of wSUMs can only be made at the end of the
academic year taking into account the exact weightings applied to measured activity, student retention rates
and the effect of data cleansing arrangements. The figures projected at this time of the year are normally an
overstatement of the actual position.
2 The comparative data for AY 2007-08 has been adjusted where necessary to take account of movement
of teams between Academic Sectors, so that the data from the two years are broadly comparable.
3
Key:
LDC
MMC
OE
PD
BDU
ETHOS
ITC
Learning Development Centre
Multi Media Centre
Open Learning, e-Learning
Professional Development
Business Development Unit
Distance Learning Programmes from Ethos Associates
IT Centre
ABERDEENCOLLEGE
®
23
ABERDEENCOLLEGE
®
24
Agenda Item 6.2
Investment and Project Committee
1. Introduction
1.1. The purpose of this paper is to assist Members to consider the work of the Investment and Project
Committee.
2. Background
2.1. The Investment and Project Committee has been delegated authority and responsibility for the
fulfilment of the Board’s estates development strategy. This encompasses projects such as the
creation of the new construction training facility at Altens Centre.
2.2. The Committee is required, under its terms of reference, to report to meetings of the Finance and
General Purposes Committee and Board of Management on the business that its conducts.
3. Business conducted by the Committee
3.1. Since the last meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, the Committee has met
on 1 occasion – on 19 May 2009.
3.2. The business conducted at the meeting included:
•
•
progression of the procurement of the new training facility at Altens Centre;
contractual terms for the appointment of a contractor to construct the new training facility at
Altens Centre;
• the decision of the Capital Investment Committee of the Scottish Funding Council to recommend
the award to the College of capital funding of up to £12million;
• matters related to estates development in Aberdeenshire; and,
• the development of the former Balgownie Centre.
3.3. Mr. Milroy will provide an oral report to this Committee on the business conducted at meetings
of the Committee.
3.4. The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to follow this meeting.
4. Recommendation
4.1. It is recommended that Members to consider the information provided on the work of the Investment
and Project Committee.
Roddy Scott
Acting Principal
ABERDEENCOLLEGE
®
25

Meeting of 21 July 2009

Transcription

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