(1st December 2009). - Trafford College

Meeting of the Resources Committee 

held on Tuesday 1 December 2009 

at 5.30 pm in the Boardroom 

at the Altrincham Centre 

Present: 

In attendance: 

Guy Robson (Chairperson) 

Bill Moorcroft (Principal) 

Phil Aspden 

Maryam Herin 

Laverne Picart 

Catherine Tong 

Richard Woodford 

Barry Watson (Clerk to the Corporation) 

Antoinette Lythgoe (Vice Principal Corporate Planning) 

Brent Cameron (Director of Finance) 

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairperson welcomed Phil Aspden to his first 

Committee meeting. 

Minute No. 

RES/44/2009 

Apologies for Absence 

The Clerk to the Corporation reported that apologies for absence had been 

received from Graham Luccock. 


Declaration of Direct and Indirect Interest in any of the Committee’s 

Business Items 

There were no declarations of either direct or indirect interest in any of the 

meeting’s business items. 

RES/46/2009 Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 October 2009 

The minutes of the meeting were approved and accepted as a correct 

account of the meeting’s proceedings. 


Matters Arising from the Minutes 

i) RES/33/2009 Matters arising from the Minutes 

The Chairperson reported that a meeting with the Chief Executive of 

STEGTA had been arranged for 8 December 2009. 

C2.15/JBW/ML/04.12.2009 Version 2

Minute No. 

RES/48/2009 Draft Report and Financial Statements 2008-2009 

The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report which included 

the Draft Report and Financial Statements for 2008/2009. 

The Committee noted that the external auditors had completed their testing 

of the Statements and that there were no outstanding issues to be resolved 

prior to the finalisation and signature of the accounts. The Committee also 

noted that the Report and Financial Statements would be considered by the 

Audit Committee prior to recommendation to the Board of the Corporation. 

The Committee considered the Draft Report and Financial Statements and in 

particular noted that: 

• the only change to the draft accounts submitted to the Committee at 

its last meeting was £ 21,000 of additional charges to the enhanced 

pension provision; 

• the final operating deficit for 2008-2009 was £1,465,000; 

• the key points arising from the income, pay and non pay expenditure, 

balance sheet, liquidity and cash flow position and the key financial 

indicators at 2008-2009; 

• the identified principle risks and uncertainties; 

• the disclosure of information to auditors. 

In discussion the Vice Principal Corporate Planning commented that the 

Statements did not include any commentary with regard to the Financial 

Health of the College and drew the Committee’s attention to a letter that she 

had recently received from the LSC with regard to the matter. 

The Committee noted that the LSC had indicated in their letter that their 

assessment of the financial grading of the College for 2009-2010 was 

satisfactory. 

The Vice Principal expressed to the Committee her confusion and extreme 

disappointment at this inappropriate assessment and outlined to the 

Committee why it was the College management’s view that the grading 

should be Outstanding. 

The Committee noted that officers from the LSC were meeting the officers of 

the College on 9 December 2009 in order to discuss the position. 

The Committee expressed the view that they wholeheartedly supported the 

Vice Principal both professionally and with regard to the College’s self 

assessment position and noted that the Vice Principal would provide a report 

on the up to date position at the Board of the Corporation meeting on 16 

December 2009. The Committee wished the College officers well in their 

discussions with the LSC. 

Action: Vice Principal Corporate Planning 

After due consideration of the report and some proposals to minor wording 

changes to the statements the Committee resolved that it be noted. 


Minute No. 

RES/49/2009 Management Accounts for the 3 months ending 31 October 2009 

The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report which presented 

the management accounts for 3 months ending 31 October 2009. 

The Committee were very pleased to note that the operating surplus was 

£257k higher than budget at £287k. 

The Committee in considering the accounts discussed the following matters: 

• the College approach to sustainability issues and the savings on 

costs could be achieved in this area; 

• investment in Information Technology; 

• the cultural change in the approach to spending; 

• the management actions and processes that had been put in place in 

order to strictly control pay costs (including agency costs). 

After due discussion the Committee congratulated the managers on an 

excellent set of accounts and resolved that they be recommended to the 

Board of the Corporation for approval. 

RES/50/2009 Summary of Payments of at least £15,000 

Action: Board of the Corporation 

The Vice Principal Corporate Planning’s report identifying payments made 

during October 2009 that had a value of at least £15,000 was received and 

noted. 

It was resolved that future reports should only include payments greater than 

£50,000. 

Action: Vice Principal Corporate Planning 

RES/51/2009 Annual Report on Spending & Procurement 2008-2009 

The Vice Principal Corporate Planning’s report detailing expenditure and 

procurement for 2008/2009 was considered by the Committee. 

After due consideration and discussion it was resolved that the report be 

noted. 

RES/52/2008 Learner Numbers and Funding 2009-2010 – November 2009 

The Vice Principal Corporate Planning presented a report detailing the 

College’s learner numbers and funding position for 2009-2010 and any 

consequential impact on income. 

The Committee noted that the up to date position with regard to the different 

categories of learners and the anticipated achievement of targets for the 

year. In particular the Vice Principal Corporate Planning drew members’ 

attention to the current underperformance in respect of 16 to 18 and 19 to 25 

employer responsive provision and outlined the discussions that had recently 

taken place with the LSC staff who are transferring to the SFA. 

After due consideration and discussion it was resolved that the report be 

noted. 


Minute No. 

RES/53/2009 Accommodation Update – November 2009 

The Vice Principal Resources presented a report which informed the 

Committee of the up to date position with regard to the College’s 

Accommodation Strategy in the following areas. 

• Trafford MBC Consultation Process/White Land; 

• Review of options for Talbot Road and Moss Road sites; 

• College Master Plan – Altrincham campus; 

• Ray Holden Building; 

• Music Centre; 

• Refectory Kitchen – Technology Centre. 

In discussion of the various accommodation matters it was agreed that a 

meeting of the Capital Bid Working Group be convened early in the New Year 

in order to consider the post project evaluation reports for the Ray Holden 

building and the Library building. 

Action: Vice Principal Resources 

It was also agreed that a report would be presented to the Board of the 

Corporation at its meeting on 24 March 2010 concerning the Music Centre. 

After due consideration of the report it was resolved that it be noted. 

RES/54/2009 Financial Plan 2009-2012 

It was agreed that this item had been covered under Agenda item 5. 

Action: Principal 


Any Other Business 

There were no matters raised under any other business. 


Date of Next Meeting 

The Clerk to the Corporation reported that the next meeting would be held on 

3 March 2010 at the Altrincham Centre. 

The meeting closed at 6.45 pm. 

[Maryam Herin joined the meeting during the consideration of agenda item 5]

(1st December 2009). - Trafford College

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