Coleg Ceredigion Board Meeting Minutes - 5th October 2023

Introduction

Minutes of the Coleg Ceredigion Board Meeting held at 3:30pm on Thursday 5th October 2023 in the Boardroom, Graig Campus.

Present:
   
  • Mrs Maria Stedman (Chair)
  • Mr John Edge (Vice-Chair)
  • Mr Eifion Griffiths (UWTSD Nominee)
  • Mr John Williams (CC Staff)
  • Dr Andrew Cornish (Principal)   
In attendance:
 
  • Mr Damion Gee (Company Secretary and Clerk to the Board)
  • Mr Martin Davies (Translator)
Guests:
 
  • Professor Elwen Evans KC (Vice-Chancellor, UWTSD)
        

The Clerk confirmed that the meeting was quorate. The Board meeting commenced at 15:34.

 

Agenda item

Main discussion points

1

Meeting Governance

  
 

23/15/1.1

Apologies for absence and declarations of interests

No Declarations of Interest were received.
 

23/15/1.2

Approval of the UNRESTRICTED minutes of the last meeting: 29th June 2023

The Board CONFIRMED the UNRESTRICTED minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 29th June 2023 as an accurate record.
 

23/15/1.3

Matters arising and action points not covered elsewhere on the agenda

There were no matters arising from the minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

2

Matters for Discussion and / or Approval

  
 

23/16/2.1

Matters on the agenda of the Coleg Sir Gâr Board on 5th October 2023 that relates to Coleg Ceredigion (Verbal)

The Committee noted that the following items were on the agenda for the CSG Board meeting that were related to Coleg Ceredigion, these were:

  • The Post 16 review
  • Cardigan Subsidence - One more survey is required on the subsidence at Cardigan campus and then action can be undertaken to mitigate the risk.  The insurance company are aware of this position and will be updated when the final report has been received and a plan in position to alleviate the problem.
 

23/16/2.2

Other matters relating to Coleg Ceredigion

The Principal had attended a Regional Skills Partnership meeting and it was noted:

  • The Committee noted that David Price has been appointed as head of the Regional Skills Partnership.
  • A skills observatory had been set up to identify skill gaps and identify what employers require and how this can be achieved.
  • Cluster groups have been set up and the College is looking to ensure representation within these clusters.
  • The College is part of a provider group, providing skills for the region.
  • The Committee was surprised that health was not included.

The Principal had attended a Growing Mid Wales Meeting and it was noted:

  • The Growing Mid Wales strategy document has been tweaked slightly.
  • Highlighted areas within the strategy cover; strengthening tourism, renewable energy, skills and employment, enterprise and business growth, transport, agriculture, food and drink, digitalisation and applied research and innovation.
  • Curriculum and growth opportunities will be aligned to these areas.

The Committee noted that the Principal would be meeting with Elen James, the Director of Education for Ceredigion County Council to discuss curriculum alignment.

The Committee discussed the sale of land surrounding the Aberystwyth campus and it was noted:

  • The land surrounding the Aberystwyth campus was now for sale by the University.
  • The Coleg Ceredigion staff Governor had visited the campuses and spoken to staff.
  • Morale of staff appears quite buoyant following the VR programme and current surrounding land sale.
  • The College was looking at options for the Aberystwyth campus.  At present the College would continue operating out of the site and await the outcomes of the Post 16 review which may influence direction.
  • It was essential that all vital services i.e. power, digital access etc. were secured to ensure College remains fully functioning.

Car parking at the Cardigan campus was discussed, and it was noted:

  • Feedback was positive from staff and students with the car park being monitored by Parking Eye.

The Committee were delighted that Sam Everton, newly announced Young Chef of the Year, was working out of Cardigan campus and would be travelling to compete in Monaco in November where he will be representing himself and the College.

3

Matters for Approval*

  
 

23/17/3.1

There were no matters for approval.

4

Matters for Information**

  
 

23/18/4.1 

There were no matters for information.

5

Any Other Business

  
 

23/19/5.1

There was no other business.

6

Declarations of Interest

  
 

23/20/6.1

To confirm any conflicts of interest that may have arisen during the meeting

No further Declarations of Interest were received during the meeting.

7

Date of the next meeting

  
 

23/21/7.1

Date of the next meeting 

Thursday 7th December 2023 in the Boardroom at Graig Campus starting at 15:30.

Meeting terminated at 15:54.