Committee Membership & Terms of Reference

Audit & Risk Committee

A Statutory Committee established by the Board of Trustees. The Chair, who is appointed by Trustees, will be supported by the Chief Finance Officer to inform the Committee’s work programme.

The Committee must have at a minimum of 3 seats, with a majority being Trustees. The Committee may co-opt committee members who have relevant experience and an independent view point. No member of the Finance Committee (should one be established) shall be permitted to serve on the Audit & Risk Committee, but may be invited to attend meetings at the request of the Chair, to answer questions on the work of the Finance Committee, as a matter of clarity and understanding.

Terms of reference

Quorum: 2

3 times per year (with the ability to call further meetings, as and when required).

• Agree a programme of work annually to deliver internal security and coverage across the year.
• Ensure all audit arrangements, both internal and external, are carried out effectively.
• Monitor the implementation of recommendations of audit.
• Ensure financial policies, systems and control are fit for purpose; including the approval of the Financial Regulations and Policy & the Treasury Management Policy.
• Scrutinise the Trust’s Annual Report and Financial Statements, making appropriate recommendations to Trustees.
• Conduct an annual review of the Trust and Academy Risk Registers.
• Review and make recommendations to Trustees on the Scheme of Delegated Authority and Policy Schedule.
• Monitor risk management is carried out at both trust and academy level.
• Ensure key reports to the DfE and ESFA are accurate and timely.
• Consider any alleged fraud and or irregularity and make recommendations to Trustees.
• Recommend to Trustees the appointment, re-appointment and dismissal of internal and external auditors.
• The Committee must ensure compliance with the Academy trust handbook.
• Provide feedback on the work of the Committee to the Board of Trustees.

 Nominations & Remuneration Committee

Established by the Board of Trustees, with a minimum of three seats, with Chair of the Trust serving as Chair of the Committee.

Terms of reference

Quorum: 2

Once per year (with further meetings being called in line with its terms of reference)

• Responsibility for agreeing any salary increase for senior executive staff (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Primary Education). Where national pay agreements recommend a percentage increase, this will normally applied, but the Nominations and Remuneration Committee will have the power to withhold such increases, but must give their reasons.
• Report decisions to the Board of Trustees, this will allow scrutiny by other Trustees.

In making any pay awards it must be able to demonstrate that it has acted fairly, with due consideration for equality, diversity and inclusion. Ensuring no bias pertaining to any protected characteristic within the pay structure, procedural fairness, transparency and accountability in all its dealings. In determining payment arrangements, value for money must be demonstrated, whilst also being sufficient to recruit, retain and motivate colleagues in the context of the market for that role.

• Responsibility for any severance payments for senior executive staff, it must follow the Academy trust handbook when agreeing any payments.
• Agreeing performance targets for senior executive staff
• Forms the Appointments Committee when appointing a new Chief Executive Officer, Director of Primary Education and Chief Finance Officer.
•  The Appointments Committee will also make recommendations to Members that the Chief Executive Officer be appointment as a Trustee.
• The Committee may bring external persons to support with its work.

Executive Management Board

 A Committee established by the Board of Trustees and led by the CEO, a forum for which those with delegated authorities may discuss and approve, as a collective, or make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Membership:

The Committee is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer (Chair), Chief Financial Officer, Director or Primary Education (Vice Chair) and academy Principals. Vice Principals may act as substitute, should a Principal not be in attendance.

Terms of reference

Quorum: 3

8 meetings per academic year (additional meetings may be called at the request of the Chief Executive Officer).

• Updates on pupil numbers and attendance.
• Discuss current and potential capital projects and bids, with a view to making recommendations to Trustees.
• Production of position statements for areas such as attendance.
• Consult and monitor academy and trust budgets.
• Setting of academy INSET days.
• Establishment of sub-committees to cover; Attendance, SEND, curriculum, safeguarding, standards and Pupil Premium.
• Monitoring the work of its sub-committees.

 Academy Governing Committees

Academy Governing Committees (Governance menu tab)