The Board of Careers Choices Dewis Gyrfa (CCDG) meets quarterly. The board is responsible for the governance and compliance with the corporate governance code. Below are the minutes of the CCDG Board meeting held on 17th June 2021.
Present
Taslima Begum
Erica Cassin
Neil Coughlan
Sam Evans
Dave Hagendyk
Liz Harris
Sue Maguire
Dave Matthews
Sue Price
Iwan Prys-Jones
Emma Richards
Tony Smith
Richard Thomas
Helen White
Debra Williams (Chair)
Annesley Wright
In Attendance
Phil Jones, Princes Trust
Richard Wall - Careers Wales – item 7
From Careers Wales
Nikki Lawrence
Ruth Ryder
Apologies
Simon Dancey
Shirley Rogers
Secretariat
Claire Childs
1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting – March 3, 2021
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Actions to take forward:
- Think Tank away day to be organised
- The Board Members page on the website to be updated
2. Chair’s Update
Board members received a verbal update from the Chair. The chair announced it was AW and IPJ last meeting and welcomed DM, HW and NC to their first meeting explaining Andrew Clark would be joining the Board in August.
The new members introduced themselves.
The chair informed the board of two new co-opted member appointments
Mary Van Den Heuvel and Ceri Noble would be joining the next Board meeting.
A request had been received on behalf of the new Minister, Vaughan Gething, to visit a Careers Centre as part of the launch of the Young Persons Guarantee Programme.
The Chair expressed gratitude to the previous Minister, Ken Skates, who had been a great advocate for Careers Wales.
A review of committee structures, responsibilities and champion roles is to take place, individual meetings to be set up to discuss with board members.
The term of office of the Chair was due to end next year, an advertisement for appointment would be circulated shortly.
3. Phil Jones (PJ) – Princes Trust
PJ joined the meeting to provide an overview of the Princes Trust and services provided throughout the UK.
Copies of the presentation to be circulated
Questions were invited from Board members points discussed were:
- Barriers to introducing the Mosaic programme in Wales. PJ clarified steps taken to address the barriers
- The pros and cons of the blended service developed during the pandemic
- The inconsistencies in funding in the different countries in the UK
TB to send details of links to a charity in Newport/Cardiff area.
The Board thanked PJ for a very informative presentation and PJ left the meeting.
4. Cyber Security Awareness Training – Richard Wall (RW)
RW joined the meeting to present the Cyber Security Awareness Training.
A copy of the presentation to be circulated along with RW contact details.
The Board thanked RW for a comprehensive session and he left the meeting.
5. Year End Accounts
Board members received an overview of the Year End Accounts that had previously been presented and scrutinised by the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.
Minor adjustments of up to £4k were noted since the Committee Meeting.
The board discussed the going concern statement that had been considered at length with the auditors at the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.
Board members thanked the team for a robust financial performance during a turbulent year during the pandemic.
The Board delegated authority for the chair to sign the accounts in the absence of the chair of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee.
The paragraph, page 9 ‘Policy in respect of disabled persons’ to be redrafted to reflect equality, diversity and inclusion.
A bond letter was discussed in Finance, Audit & Risk Committee but this is not something WG Ministers would provide for CW. A detailed report on the going concern of CW is now produced as part of the year end processes.
6. Chief Executive Report
The CE expressed thanks to AW and IPJ for their support to Careers.
The CE thanked NC for recent support on a recruitment matter.
The CE presented the Chief Executive report for June 2021.
Board members discussed representation at RSP Meetings. The CE to take forward a suggestion of a Board representative. Board members suggested a sub group to focus on links to HR.
Following a question, the CE confirmed as a result of the closing down of Activate services, communications with WLGA was taking place to ensure partnership working and non duplication of services.
Following a question, the CE confirmed a meeting had been arranged with Huw Morris to raise awareness of Careers Wales services.
Following a question, the CE confirmed an update on the development of the young person Committee would be available at the next meeting
7. Committee Meetings
7.1 Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
IPJ presented the business from the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee meetings 22nd March and 3rd June 2021.
The committee received 6 audit reports, 5 of which had a substantial rating. The remaining report, Welsh Language was included in the papers for the Board meeting for discussion. Recommendations from the audit included actions from Board members, to be discussed at a future date.
The Chair thanked IPJ for the update and for chairing the Committee meetings and supporting the Company.
7.2 People Matters Committee
LH presented the business from the People Matters Committee on 13th May 2021.
Committee members welcomed ideas from Board members on how to increase diversity.
There were no questions.
7.3 Performance and Impact Committee
SM presented the business from the Performance and Impact Committee Meeting on 27th April 2021.
The Digital plan to be presented at a future Board Meeting.
Any Other Business
Minister Questions: Welsh Government (WG) providing responses for recent Careers Wales queries at the Senedd.
IPJ and AW reflected on their time at Careers Wales and wished the Company well for the future.