News from the Board: a summary of our March meeting

Here’s my update from the Board meeting on 14th March:

New committee appointments

Following the interviews on 7th March, the Appointments and Remuneration Committee (ARC) recommended the appointment of Matt Twaite to the Risk and Audit Committee and Steve Fowler to the newly formed Finance Committee, I’d like to thank Matt and Steve for putting themselves forward and welcome them to CIEH. We are very excited for you to bring your skills and knowledge to support the Board and governance of CIEH. I’d also like to thank ARC members James Howe and Maria Jennings, who are also volunteers, for their work in the recruitment process.

EMT update

EMT provided a detailed update report which covered a wide range of topic areas. This included the following:

• Financial sustainability
  The Board heard the progress on work to date in delivering a financially sustainable organisation.
• Progress with the Board’s other strategic priorities.
• Progress with the motions
  Meetings have been held with proposers and seconders of the motions to update them on progress. We are very keen to agree the areas of work to progress each motion and agree the timescales. It may not be possible to fully deliver the motions before the AGM however, updates will be provided and where there is still work to be done the plans to complete will be presented at the AGM. The review of charitable status report will be presented to the April Board meeting. We discussed how CIEH can maximise the wealth of knowledge and expertise which exist in our membership particularly those who have retired.
• Discussion regarding a potential motion which may be brought to the AGM
  Work is currently ongoing with the proposer and seconder to address the motion and updates will be provided in due course.
• Working with stakeholders including meetings with REHIS and ACEHO
  Trustees and EMT want to ensure that CIEH is engaging and regularly communicating with all relevant stakeholders. This is linked to our strategic priority of transparency and openness.

CIEH financial accounts 2023

In preparation for the auditing of the CIEH financial accounts for 2023 there were two areas of approvals needed:

• Trustees and/or directors of charities, have a responsibility to ensure that the charity operates as a going concern. While this is a continuing responsibility, it is most relevant when preparing the charity’s annual report and financial statements. A paper presented an assessment of the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and whether any material uncertainties exist in respect of going concern. The Board approved the use of the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
• The Board approved the free reserves policy of £4m.

Other items

CIEH Health and Safety Policy
The Board approved this and the associated work plan.

Strategic risk register
Each strategic risk has a series of planned actions against it. There are a number of risks which remain rated high and the Board have asked EMT to come back to a future meeting having considered how the mitigating action plans are being delivered and whether there is scope to bring forward outcomes. The Board were asked to approve the Deed for the Welfare Fund.

Since my last update I’ve have attended two meetings with the proposers and seconders of the motions to discuss progress. I’d like to thank them for their time and enthusiasm to support the success and sustainability of CIEH.

Our next scheduled full Board meeting 7 May, however we will be putting in an additional meeting in April to progress financial and motions papers in preparation for the AGM and any other time limited matters.

As always, you can get in touch with myself by emailing [email protected].