January 2008

last updated:August 2009

The General Teaching Council for England met on Tuesday 22 January 2008 at Woburn House, Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1H 9HQ.

Council approved the minutes of the previous meeting and noted the standard decision tracking paper setting out progress in actioning previous decisions.

Council noted the Chair’s and Vice Chair’s business since the last Council meeting. Council noted the resignation of Sashi Siva from the Council with effect from the 9 April; the Vice Chair election will be conducted as soon as possible thereafter.

Council received a verbal report by the Chief Executive, Keith Bartley.

Council reviewed the budget strategy as detailed in the Budget Strategy, Registration Fee and Corporate Plan – 2008-09 and projected to 2010-2011 report; and approved that the registration fee is maintained at £33 for the 2008/09 financial year.  Council endorsed the recommended financial viability of the three year budget strategy and approved the recommended principle that the general reserve should not fall below 25% of annual expenditure. Council endorsed the corporate plan milestones in respect of the 2008-09 in advance of the development of the new Corporate Plan 2008-12 and noted the underlying fee level assumptions on which year two and beyond are based and the need to review provisional fee prospects as each year unfolds.

Council received a paper on Engaging partners and stakeholders in developing the corporate priorities for the GTCE 2008-2012. Council supported the general direction and approach to the GTC’s medium term planning and the setting of its corporate priorities, and indicated their own willingness to be involved in the work, particularly in that of the engagement strategy.

Council confirmed their decision to establish an award in memory of its founding chief Executive, Carol Adams and agreed that the award be announced in January 2008 as part of the TAT’s regional awards programme in the Spring and Summer of 2008. Council  noted and agreed the budgetary provision for the option from April 2008 and that a review be undertaken at the end of the first year.

Council received the Summary of Work of Committees. They noted the paper and agreed the recommendation from the Audit, Monitoring and Review Committee that the Council establish a review process on Committee and Council effectiveness.

Council noted the report on Financial and Service Monitoring which was brought to Council to enable Members to be informed and updated as to both the latest financial position and progress towards service outcomes in 2007/08.

Council agreed the proposal in Pete Strauss’s motion to form a Communications Task Group with the specific and single role of developing an effective and creative strategy to explain, popularise and disseminate GTC policy on Assessment and Accountability.

The next meeting will be held on 2 July 2008 in Sheffield; the venue is yet to be confirmed.