13/09/12 Board Room/Harris Suite, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ

Transcription

1 Main Board Meeting Minutes Meeting Chair Person Members Chief utive Officers Secretariat 13/09/12 Board Room/Harris Suite, National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, Manchester, M11 4DQ Richard Lewis (RL) Jill Ainscough (JA), Mike Farrar (MF), Hanif Malik (HM), Sadie Mason (SM), Peter Rowley (PR), Mich Stevenson (MS), James Stewart, Peter Stybelski (PS), Martin Thomas (MT) Jennie Price (JP) Rona Chester (RC), Mike Diaper (MD), Charles Johnston (CJ), Lisa O Keefe (LOK), Phil Smith (Phil S) Michelle Vassall (MV) Item Action 1. Welcome Daniel Brandt RL noted the Board s sympathy at the passing of Daniel Brandt, the former Strategic Lead of the Finance Team at Sport England, who was a highly respected, valued and popular member of the Sport England Team. Apologies Apologies had been received from Nick Bitel (NB), Clare Connor (CC), Tanya Joseph (TJ) and Frances MacLeod (FM). Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest. Minutes of the Board Meeting on 20 June 2012 The minutes of the Meeting on 20 June 2012 were APPROVED as a correct record. Matters Arising The Board NOTED the Matters Arising from the Board Meeting held on 20 June With the exception of those actions marked complete or business as usual (which would be removed from the Action Points List following the meeting) all actions had either been completed, were carried forward, or were dealt with elsewhere on the Board s agenda. Electronic Decisions Page 1 of 7

2 The Board NOTED and RATIFIED the electronic decisions taken since the date of the Board Meeting on 20 June 2012: Gifts and Hospitality Policy - following discussions at the Board Meeting on 20 June 2012, a small amendment to the gift and hospitality policy. Trustee Bank Account - a Trustee Bank account, which was set up in July 2012 to receive the proceeds of Daniel Brandt's life insurance. Delegated Authorities Policy - it had been agreed that in the absence of the Chair and Chief utive, documents to be executed under the Sport England Seal could be signed by the Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer, or a delegate of either the Chair or Chief utive. However, in light of JP s concerns regarding the accountability environment the appointment of additional delegates would create, the Board did not agree that the procedure should extend to the delegates of the Chief utive and the Chair. The Board AGREED, therefore, that where both the Chair and Chief utive are unable to execute a document under seal, then at least one of the signatories to such documents should be the Vice Chair or the Chief Operating Officer; the Delegated Authorities Policy would be amended accordingly. The Board also RATIFED the appointment of Mike Farrar as Vice Chair. MV 2. Chief utive s Report Olympics and Paralympics Organisational Implications JP provided the Board with an overview of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from a Sport England perspective and the discussions that had taken place since the Games. The following was highlighted: As a result of recent Cabinet changes, Hugh Robertson MP had been promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Olympic Legacy and Tourism. There was a new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller MP, whom JP had already met and who had a keen interest in disability and women s sport. The perception of elite disability sport had shifted as a result of the Paralympics and there was a good environment to deliver Sport England s disability programme, which was currently oversubscribed. Discussions had also taken place regarding the Olympic legacy and DCMS was likely to create a legacy board. Discussions took place regarding the media coverage of grassroots sport during the Games and any further initiatives that could be implemented to raise its profile. A number of suggestions were made, the key ones being: Consideration be given to a gold post box type initiative to raise the profile of the sports clubs used by the Olympic and Paralympic athletes; work to progress this initiative would commence immediately. Further discussions to take place at utive meetings regarding the role Sport England plays in community sport, with a view to raising the organisation s profile. Consideration to be given to how best to increase the profile of club volunteers. The Head of the Games Maker initiative should be invited to discuss the approach taken during the Olympics and Paralympics with Sport England officers, and whether this approach could potentially be applied to local clubs. Consideration should also be given to an over-arching campaign which could be used to unify and promote the smaller initiatives discussed at the meeting. Page 2 of 7

3 Measurement The consultation with users and key stakeholders had indicated that the majority (95%) were in favour of moving to a single survey which captured participation figures. JP advised that it was important that the statisticians had sufficient time to consider how best to integrate the Active People Survey (APS) and Taking Part Survey, to ensure the process was as smooth as possible. In the meantime, the mobile and online survey pilot would be progressed. Following a suggestion from the Board, the organisation would also look into the use of social media to record behaviour whilst the pilot was on-going. The Board agreed with the approach to be taken and APPROVED the commencement of APS 7. Whole Sport Plan Investment Payment For Results JP shared with the Board the latest thinking on the development of the NGB payment for results methodology. The Board discussed a number of potential levers at our disposal to incentivise delivery of agreed outcomes, and swiftly deal with failure. It was agreed that further work should be done to consider not only the available levers but also the timing and order of their use. MF and JS offered to share learning from other sectors to help this process. Recommendations to be shared at the November Board. Balanced Scorecard In response to a request from the Board, JP agreed that the Balanced Scorecard will include target data for disability sport within the places people play programme. JP (Laura Graham) The Board NOTED the Chief utive s report and the updates contained therein. 3. NGB and Sport Active People Survey (APS) Phil S provided an overview of the APS 6 Q2 results for the 6 months to April The following was highlighted: Participation had increased in a number of sports. Despite a long term positive trend, Athletics, Boxing and Snowsport were struggling to increase participation amongst the age group. Basketball, Swimming and Tennis were also struggling to increase participation amongst year olds and Golf and Equestrian were struggling with the age group. These age groups were highlighted as they will be in sharper focus in the NGB investment, as a result of the new Youth and Community Strategy. Disability sport was also on the increase in the APS, with 18.2% of individuals with a disability participating in sport, although participation levels for individuals with a disability was lower than across the rest of the population, vindicating the strategic priority of increasing disability participation. Where funds had been de-committed, the baseline had been readjusted and a different approach had been adopted this applied, for example, to Rugby League, Rugby Union, Tennis, Judo, Cricket and Golf. Following some discussion on the APS 6 results, the contradiction was noted in some sports, where participation was on the increase but the NGB continued to be poorly Page 3 of 7

4 managed. Board Members agreed that the payment by results (both success and failure) principle was the right approach, but judgement should be exercised about whether the NGB itself was driving those results. CJ advised that a series of projects were on-going with the ASA to maximise their programming, however, 85% of swimming activity remained outside a traditional club environment and, therefore, harder for the ASA to influence. Following a suggestion from the Board, it was AGREED that the ASA be invited to present at a future Board meeting. LOK/MV NGB Investment Update LOK provided the Board with an update on the NGB WSP Investment process, specifically the way in which the published criteria have been used to assess the plans submitted by the NGBs. Following some discussion and in response to a query from the Board, LOK explained how external views of the plans have been built into the process. In response to a query from the Board, JP confirmed that the initial allocation of funding would not be subject to contestability, but this would occur later in the process, where for example a NGB had failed to submit a sufficiently strong bid or deliver agreed outcomes. The Board questioned the mechanisms in place to drive down costs and deliver more efficiently. The Board also wanted to be sure that past performance was being reflected in the award recommendations. It was agreed that NGB would be the focus of the November Board meeting with a particular emphasis upon Value for Money and Payment for Results. The Board NOTED the NGB and Sport update and, in particular, the APS 6 Q2 results and the NGB WSP investment. 4. School Games Level Lottery Award MD explained that prior to the Youth Sport Trust (YST) being invited to submit a solicited Lottery application for funding, Sport England had tested the market through an open expressions of interest process, and the Youth Sport Trust had submitted the strongest expression of interest. The Board APPROVED a Lottery award of up to 2,595,995 for to the YST and an in-principle award of up to 2,595,000 for to support the national roll out and continued development of the School Games across Levels 1 3. The Board noted that the Level 1-3 award would include a participation target for the YST for the first time and that no funds from the award would be released until the Youth Sport Trust had demonstrated that it had met all of its key performance indicators. The Board also delegated to the Sport England Project Committee the sign off of the first payment and the conversion into a full award of the in-principle award. Level National Finals Lottery Award Following some discussion regarding the 2013 National Finals of the School Games to be held in Sheffield, the Board APPROVED a Lottery award of up to 2m to the YST to enable them to develop and stage the 2013 Sainsbury s School Games National Finals. Page 4 of 7

5 5. Presentation on the Spogo Project CJ provided the Board with an overview of the work carried out to develop the Spogo Project (formerly Connecting Sport ). The intention was that the Spogo website would provide a more convenient and cost effective way of boosting participation by using social media to achieve tangible bookings for sport and a means by which to measure internet traffic relating to sport. The site was now active in Beta mode and CJ advised that there were some teething issues, as well as an issue with some organisations unwilling to share their data, however both these issues were being resolved. It was also noted that discussions were taking place with loyalty card and sports retailers regarding a loyalty scheme and other incentives that could be offered to users of Spogo. Following this trial, the full market product will be available from circa. mid July 2013, after a full procurement process. In response to a query from the Board, it was noted that Sport England owned all the intellectual property in the Spogo website, but further consideration would be given to long term ownership as part of the procurement dialogue. Following a presentation of the Spogo marketing videos, it was suggested that the images were not representative of the target market of the site and this should be revisited before the marketing videos were rolled out to the wider consumer. CJ advised the Board that he would revert with an update prior to the official launch of the Spogo website. CJ The Board NOTED the presentation on the Spogo Project and congratulated the team on the work undertaken to date. 6. Chief Operating Officer s Report RC took Board Members through the new financial scorecard. RC advised that the utive Directors had previously discussed the need to fund more projects before the end of the financial year and there might be the opportunity to fund a small Exchequer project, as Sportsmatch applications had declined in the past few weeks. It was also noted that a request had been made to DCMS to switch revenue to capital, which had now been approved, although written confirmation was awaited. Finance Committee It was noted that the Board had requested that the Finance Committee review the Lottery NLDF cash balance. Discussions had taken place at the Finance Committee meeting held on 31 August 2012 and based upon the organisation s current commitments, the target cash balance recommended by the Finance Committee was to remain at 20m. The Board AGREED to maintain the minimum cash balance of 20m (although it was noted that as Lottery income increased, it would be harder to maintain this balance). JS reported that the Finance Committee had agreed that there was scope to finance additional Lottery programmes, up to the value of 30m. The utive Directors would consider this at their next meeting and would revert to the appropriate governance forum with a draft proposal. It was noted that consideration would be given to one or more of the following: an Inspired Facility type investment; a disability sport programme; or Page 5 of 7

6 a club recognition programme (minute no. 2 refers) but that other options would also be considered. JS advised that following discussions at the Finance Committee meeting, it was proposed to table the Medium Term Plan to the Board annually, with any material changes made throughout the year tabled to the Board on an ad hoc basis. It was noted that the 8% cost target under the Lottery account was not currently forecast to be met, however, it was difficult to reduce costs in light of the continued uncertainty regarding the merger with UK Sport. RC advised that further discussions would also take place with DCMS and at the Lottery Finance Forum; she also advised that the Active People survey costs were a significant component and discussions had already taken place with DCMS with a view to treating this differently if a joint survey with DCMS was to be produced. RC The Board NOTED the Finance Committee update and the Minutes dated 31 August Project Committee MS provided the Board with an overview of the discussions that had taken place at the Project Committee meeting held on 12 September Following a suggestion arising out of those discussions, the Board AGREED that they should make a request that a Sport England representative be appointed as an observer on the St George s Park board to oversee Sport England s investment, to ensure the continued provision for community engagement, particularly as a result of the relatively remote location of the site. CJ (John Couves) The Board NOTED the update on the Project Committee meeting on 12 September 2012 and NOTED the minutes of the meeting on 19 June Audit, Risk and Governance Committee Minutes PR provided the Board with an overview of the discussions that had taken place at the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee meetings on 11 September It was noted that a new independent non-board member, David Oliver, had been appointed to the Committee and that Sport England s current external audit Director and Manager at the NAO would be rotating. In addition, the internal audit contract would expire in April 2013 and procurement of an outsourced internal audit service would begin in the coming weeks. The Board NOTED the update on the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee meeting on 11 September 2012 and NOTED the minutes of the meetings on 13 and 20 June Any Other Business 2013 Meeting Dates RL advised the Board that the proposed 2013 meeting dates for the first six months of the year were as follows: - 31 January - 19 March - 2 May - 19 June Page 6 of 7

7 The dates would be circulated via following the meeting. MV Declarations of Gifts and Hospitality RL reminded Board Members to submit any outstanding declarations of gifts and/or hospitality relating to attendance at Olympic and/or Paralympic events, as well as any other declarations of gifts or hospitality (including those which are rejected) or interests, to the Board Secretary. 8. Presentation and Tour by British Cycling Jarl Walsh, the General Manager of the National Cycling Centre, delivered a presentation to the Board on the National Cycling Centre. The following was highlighted, in particular: the centre provided a training and recreational facility to both elite and community users of its cycling and BMX tracks. a joint initiative with the police and local council, Urban Expression, was being held on Saturday evenings to provide younger members of the community with a place to socialise; this was proving very popular and it was anticipated that the number of attendees would increase during the winter months. the national cycling centre was also used for other events, such as concerts, other sporting events and employee conferences. The Board THANKED Jarl Walsh for his very informative presentation and for providing a tour of the National Cycling Centre. The Meeting finished at 3.30pm Page 7 of 7