Adnodd Board meeting: 14 November 2024 14:00-14:45
Read the minutes from our Board meeting on 14 November 2024. The meeting covered key updates, including governance, commissioning plans, financial matters, and next steps as Adnodd continues to develop and deliver for learners and practitioners across Wales.
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- Last Updated
In attendance
Adnodd:
- Gethin Davies, Chair (GD)
- Mair Gwynant, Chair of ARAC (MG)
- Lesley Bush (LB)
- Sioned Roberts (SR)
- Huw Jones (HJ)
- Natalie Jones (NJ)
- Emyr George, Chief Executive (EG)
- Lleucu Siencyn, Director of Strategy and Delivery (LlS)
- Ruth Davies, Business Manager (RD)
- Branwen Edwards, Secretariat (BE).
Apologies:
- Nicola Wood (NW)
1. Welcome, apologies and declarations of interest
GD welcomed all attendees to the meeting.
Apologies were noted from NW.
EG explained that Lucy Thomas had noted her intention to step down from her role as Board and ARAC member. He explained that the process to confirm the resignation formally is currently underway, with the aim of agreeing an official date with the Cabinet Secretary before the next Board meeting in December. Adnodd will have two weeks from that date to notify Companies House.
No declarations of interest were noted.
2. Finance
Finance policy
EG gave an overview of the development of the Finance Policy to date, following discussion and scrutiny at ARAC since the beginning of the year.
It was noted that ARAC recommend the Finance Policy to the Board as a live document, which will be kept under regular review once the Director of Corporate Services is in post.
Decision: The Board agree to approve the Finance Policy.
3. Human resources
Staff pay review (closed item)
Staff members: LlS, RD and BE left the meeting for this item.
Closed minutes.
Human resources policies
The suite of HR policies which are currently in place had previously been approved by the Board, with the view of revisiting the policies with Darwin Gray’s support and advice, and to consider if additional policies are needed.
EG explained that the first batch of policies had been scrutinised by ARAC. Three of which had been prioritised for recommending to the Board during this meeting, with further policies to be presented at December’s Board meeting.
- Agile working policy
Decision: The Agile working policy was approved by the Board.
- Expenses policy
EG noted that this updated policy differs in some respects to Welsh Government practice, reflecting the differences in how Adnodd operates as a wholly remote organisation and ensuring an appropriate balance of controls and practicalities.
Decision: The Expenses policy was approved by the Board.
- Disciplinary and capability procedure
The Chair of ARAC explained that the Committee approved the procedure on the basis that the principles have been agreed. Following discussions at ARAC, it was agreed that the procedure will need to be split to reflect the variances between ‘capability’ and ‘disciplinary’. It was noted that the work of dividing the two procedures will be completed early in the new year, before HR policies are presented to staff for consultation.
Decision: The Board accepted the approval of the Disciplinary and Capability procedure on the proviso that it is split into two separate procedures in the new year, prior to consultation with staff.
Action: Corporate Services Team to consider staggering the review dates for HR policies to help manage the workload involved in future reviews and updates.
Action: Corporate Services Team to establish whether any policies should be published on the Adnodd website.
4. Any other business
Recruitment
EG informed Board members that Kirsty Davies had been appointed as Director of Corporate Services and will start in her role on 6 January 2025. He explained that Kirsty has been in a similar role at National Academy for Educational Leadership (NAEL) for six years.
Adnodd website
It was noted that the Adnodd website has now been launched, having passed WG checks for design and accessibility.
It was agreed that Blue Stag would be invited to March’s Board meeting to provide a comprehensive update on their work, to include social media activity and website metrics.
Action: Invite Blue Stag to March meeting for a presentation session before the official business of the Board.
Additional funding 2024-25
EG explained that additional funding will come to Adnodd to spend on literacy resources, between now and the end of the current financial year. He noted that market intelligence gathered from discussions with suppliers over the summer will inform how this additional funding will be deployed, with a particular focus on resources to support literacy.
Update from Interim Director of Education, WG
It was noted that a message has been circulated by Welsh Government’s Interim Director of Education to all staff across the Directorate requiring them to identify any ongoing or planned work that could lead or benefit from new or updated educational resources and supporting materials.
The Interim Director’s email requests that all teams within the Directorate who identify needs for educational resources should approach the Adnodd Operations Group (AOG) to discuss aims, priorities and funding. Resources needs will be discussed in the AOG’s monthly meetings in their early stages, to allow Adnodd to work strategically and provide advice on the best options, outcomes and value for money.