News from the Board: a summary of our January meeting

On 30 January we held our second Board meeting of 2024.

I’m sorry about the length of this blog, I’m sure it is supposed to be short and snappy, but we had a full agenda so I’ve tried to summarise the main agenda items below:

• Declaration of interests by Trustees and contracts motion – I am pleased to announce that Board and EMT Declarations of interest are now published on your MyCIEH in full without any redactions.
• The Board considered a paper which presented a range of options to deliver the rest of the motion. There is a test site being developed to allow future contracts to be advertised on the CIEH website. Delivering on other parts of the motion require careful consideration of some issues and some options were considered. The Board agreed that it would like to seek a meeting with the motion proposers to share more information on the challenges faced.
• Motion presented by Chris Day and Ian Gray – We had provided an update on some of the items in the motion to the proposer and seconder and a paper was presented to the Board on next steps. A meeting is planned with Chris and Ian in March to look at how CIEH progress the next steps.
• Changes to Chartered Status – The Board approved a new set of Regulations reflecting the new route to Chartered Status. This builds on two consultations with members, with the main change being a return to the requirement for candidates to be Registered EHOs/EHPs with several years’ experience before becoming Chartered. The new assessments are currently being tested on some volunteer candidates and this will be followed by a full relaunch in March.
• Recruitment to CEO post and Charitable Status Review – The Board considered two proposals from two different organisations to facilitate these items. They agreed to meet with each to identify and appoint the facilitator best suited to process each item and this is scheduled for 8 February.
• Property Review – CIEH holds a long leasehold over Chadwick Court in London. The purpose of the review is to consider and decide how to achieve the best returns whilst managing risk. A lot of work has been undertaken to date that has proved very informative. The Board feel that they would like more information on some areas as well as a review of the level of advice supporting the Board. A property Review Working Group has been set up to help progress this area of work. The Board will be open to taking a decision as it feels able but that is not expected in the next 12 months.
• Social media policy – The Board agreed recommendations based on Charity Commission Guidance on the use of social media which consists of a range of training for all including staff, Trustees, committee members, Vice Presidents, advisory panel members and volunteers.
• Budget update – The Board approved plans on reductions in expenditure across all CIEH services to bring it within the 2024 budget. Plans are underway to bring the Finance Committee into operation to provide oversight of the delivery of the Finance Strategy.
• Risk Register – An updated version with two additional risks in relation to business continuity and compliance measures. There are measures and planned actions to address the most significant risks and the Board has considered these when setting their own priorities.

During January I have been carrying out the annual reviews of all Trustees focusing on the competencies required for the role, and feedback on what has worked well so far and areas of improvement. Whilst most Trustees have been in post for less than 6 months it has been useful to hear their feedback.

Over the next few weeks I will be meeting with the proposers and seconders of the Motions to agree and discuss next steps. I also sit on the Appointment and Remuneration Committee (ARC) and we shall be meeting to shortlist applications for the Risk and Audit, ARC and Finance Committees.

The next Board meeting will be held on 27 February.

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