November EC Meeting 2019

6.1

November EC and dinner .

Banner Theatre will perform their wonderful show Free for All prior to the EC dinner. As usual we will invite the local labour movement.

It was hoped that all EC members will be able to attend the November EC and Dinner with partners.

We have invited Davey Anderson and Ross Forbes from the Durham Marras and Lawrence Caughlin and Alan Margham from the DMA with partners.

6.2

New Build and Funding.

A great deal of time has been spent with the Project Manager and General Manager considering both the funding and budget and the progress of works. A tenancy pack and marketing arrangements have been prepared for opening the rental accommodation in October.

6.3

New Affiliates.

The GS will meet the Counsellor’s Union on September 28th and we have had an expression of interest from the National Society for Art and Design in Education.

Several non affiliates are using Quorn.

6.4

Managing finances

Claire Smith left very good hand over papers and we prepared a budget prior to her leaving.

6.5

Ruskin College.

There remain three vacancies on the Board and we are forming a Friends of Ruskin Group. It was noted that the General Secretary had been elected Chair of Ruskin and the President was a Board member. There was a lot of work to be done to rebuild the College after a difficult period.

7

Staffing

Claire Smith has left our employment and we wished her well and she left paperwork and all related arrangements in very good order.

Claire Ryan has been on sick leave since early July.

Daniella Tedds has successfully passed her first stage in payroll training and exams. Daniella now does a 24 hour week for us. Ana Werner is successfully home working and has recently attended training for new accounting systems introduced.

One member of staff has had their probationary period extended.

We are currently interviewing for the positions of Senior Finance Officer and Head of Finance.

We appointed Georgia Wilkinson to assist with social media and new website on a part time temporary basis.

5