Council

COUN99-M6

Minutes of the 261st Meeting of the University Council held on 20 October 1999.

Members:

Dr. J K Green (Chair); Dr. C.J. Backhouse; Mr. H. Barber; Mr. G. Barfield; Mr. J.B.C. Blood (ab); Mr. R.H. Boissier (ab); Professor W.R. Bowman; Dr. T.G.M. Brooks; Professor L.M. Cantor; Professor J.V. Dawkins; Ms. V. Dhupa (ab); Professor M. Evans; Dr. A.N. Fairbairn; Professor J.P. Feather; Mr. W. Flint; Mr. G.P. Fothergill (ab); Mr. S.J. Gorton; Mr. D. Gough (ab); Professor C. Hanson; Miss J.E.L. Harvatt (ab); Mr. P.J.K. Haslehurst; Dr. R.A. Haskins (ab); Dr. T. Higgins; Professor J.R. Hough (ab); Professor T.J. Kavanagh; Dr. G. Mason; Mr. E.O. Maxwell; Professor R. McCaffer; Mr. A. Milne; Mr. M. Moghal (ab); Mr. W.M. Moss; Dr P.N. Murgatroyd; Dr. L.R. Mustoe; Mrs. W.M. Pilkington; Dr. C. Redropp (ab); Professor I. Reid; Sir Denis Rooke; Mr. J.F. Rowland; Dr. A.W. Rudge (ab); Ven. I. Stanes; Mrs. J.A.M. Strong (ab); Mr. D.R.F. Walker; Professor D.J. Wallace; Ms E. Wallace (ab); Mr. C.S. Woodruff.

In attendance: Mrs. F.M. Hannah; Mr R.A. Hill; Mr. H.M. Pearson; Professor I.C. Morison; Mr. J. Town; Ms S.K. Wheelans.

Apologies for absence were received from: Mr Blood; Mr Boissier; Mr Fothergill; Miss Harvatt; Dr Haskins; Professor Hough; Mr Moghal; Dr Redropp; Dr Rudge;Mrs Strong


99/91 Deputy Chairman's Business

The Deputy Chairman reported with sadness on the death of Dr S C Miller who had served the University as Senior Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council since 1995. The Deputy Chairman also reported with sadness on the deaths of Dr H L Haslegrave the University's first Vice Chancellor, Dr Alastair Duncan, a former member of Council and the University and Dr R A Hinton who had recently retired from his position as Tutor for Disabilities and Special Needs.

99/92. Chair and Vice-Chairman of Council

.1 The Treasurer reported on the process which had been instituted following the untimely death of Dr S C Miller. Dr K Green had automatically assumed the role of Chair of Council for the interim period but members of Council had been invited, by post to submit nominations for the position of Chairman. The nominations had been considered and the Working Group's unanimous recommendation was that Dr J K Green be appointed. Accordingly it was RESOLVED to appoint Dr J K Green as Chairman of Council and Senior Pro-Chancellor (ex officio) for the period 20 October 1999 to 31 July 2001.

.2 It was noted that there was a need to relieve Dr Green of some of the duties he had previously assumed as Vice-Chairman of Council. Council AGREED that the Nominating Committee should be asked to consider this matter and to bring forward recommendations for the appointment of a Vice-Chairman of Council to the December meeting.

.3 It was RESOLVED to appoint Dr T Higgins as Vice-Chairman of Council for the interim period pending the outcome of the election process.

99/93. Vice-Chancellor's Business

.1 The Vice-Chancellor was pleased to report that the level of new research grants and contracts in 1998/99 had reached a record level of £21.8 million. The Faculties were congratulated on their achievements.

.2 Recent league tables published in the press had shown the University in a favourable position. The University had been placed 26th in the Sunday Times league table but had also been short-listed for the award of University of the year. In the Daily Telegraph league table, which was based on the assessment of teaching quality, the University had been placed in the premier league. The Guardian had also published a table based on market share of research income in which the University was placed 22nd. The University was not complacent about its position, it was aware that its performance against certain indicators such as Student: Staff ratio, IT and Library expenditure was apparently below average. Further consideration would be given to these issues to ensure that the University's position was accurately reflected.

.3 HEFCE had funded 24 Centres of Excellence in Teaching and the University had been awarded one in Engineering giving it a lead position in the field. A joint initiative with Ulster in the area of Information Science had also received funding under the scheme.

.4 Sport England had announced its plans for the development of sports facilities at its Network Centres. Investments planned for Loughborough included a 50 metre training pool. Chris Smith, MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport had visited the University on 15 October 1999 and a visit by Kate Hoey, MP, Minister for Sport, was planned.

.5 The Vice-Chancellor was delighted to announce the opening of the Loughborough University Gallery. He thanked the Governors of the former College of Art and Design for their foresight in funding the building.

.6 The first award of a Gatsby Innovation Fellowship had been made to Professor Peter Smith and colleagues in the Optical Engineering Research Group.

.7 Ford had made a commitment to invest in the Ford Retail College which would provide training for all retail staff.

.8 The Association of University Teachers (AUT) remained in dispute regarding the pay offer of 3.5%. Discussions between all parties had been resumed but the action taken was having an effect on preparations for teaching quality assessments.

.9 Following Council's approval at its last meeting of the Code of Practice on Security of Employment, approximately sixty staff had been moved from fixed-term to open-ended contracts, in the spirit of one of the recommendations of the Bett Report. It was noted that the position of some staff on research contracts still required discussion and a member urged rapid consideration of their position. The Bett Report also identified the under-remuneration of young lecturers and senior professors. A member expressed the view that the serious pay problem of young Lecturers should be considered a priority.

99/94. Student Intake Position 1999

COUN99-P52

A report showing the position at the end of September 1999 was received and noted. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching) reported that the latest estimate of the home undergraduate population was 8718 compared to the "MASN + 2%" target of 8723. This was within the acceptable margin of error. The number and quality of applications had increased and the admissions process had been extremely successful. Overseas recruitment levels were less encouraging and the position had been exacerbated by the University's traditional dependence on S.E. Asia for recruitment. Steps were being taken to redress this problem and to widen the University's overseas recruitment activity to areas such as China and South America. It would take some time for these measures to take effect and overseas student registrations were currently down by approximately 50.

99/95 Special Resolution: Amendments to Charter, Statutes and Ordinances

COUN99-P53

A special resolution to recommend amendments to the Charter, Statute VI and Ordinances VII and XXI was considered. The Bursar reminded members that a preliminary paper had been presented to the previous meeting of Council. Consultation with Senate and General Assembly had taken place and the relevant minutes were included in the Agenda paper. The special resolution was now being presented to Council for formal consideration; approval would require a majority of 75% of those present at this and the subsequent Council meeting in December.

The Bursar outlined the aims of the proposals. These were to standardise the period of office of PVC's, Deans, Associate Deans and Heads of Departments, to improve the appointment process of PVC's and Deans by involving both Senate and Council, to permit an increase in the number of PVC's, to allow for the external appointment of PVC's in specialist areas and to change the name of the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor to Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The drivers behind the proposed changes were to take account of the changing roles of PVC's and Deans, to legitimise existing practise, to offer greater flexibility and to clarify the nature of posts to the external community.

In terms of the proposals themselves, the following issues were raised:

.2 Paper COUN99-P54 was withdrawn.

Action: Registrar

99/96. Capital Programme & Estates Strategy Review

.1 Council received a progress report on the capital programme. The Bursar reported that capital projects totalling £83 million were included but off-campus developments, the extension to Burleigh Court and the development of the Edward Herbert Building were not yet included. The report demonstrated the scale of the possible capital developments but the Bursar emphasised that the only commitment made by Council to date had been to the new Engineering Building which was currently under construction. 

In answer to a query, Council was informed that some of the projects had potential for revenue generation whereas others would require a ongoing subsidy. The value of the projects in terms of the enhancement of teaching and research was questioned. Council was informed that the proposed development of the Great Hall would provide welcome additional teaching space, although student numbers were unlikely to increase. The development of sports facilities also had benefits in terms of student use. The investment in the Engineering Building had already produced returns and the recruitment of staff and students had been enhanced.

The financing of the capital programme was discussed. External funding was being sought for some projects but priorities would have to be established. Council was reminded that any project in excess of £1 million would require its approval.

.2 Council received a report from the Director of Estates on the Estates Strategy Review. The 1995 Estates Strategy had identified a number of targets and considerable progress had been made including:

New issues now required consideration. These included the investments planned in relation to Sport England, the extension to Burleigh Court and the possible capital developments relating to bids to the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF). Many of these developments would require some land-take from campus. A landscape architect is about to be employed to advise the University on the development of its Estates Strategy. Members of Council were asked to address any comments to the Bursar who was Chair of the Estates Strategy Group.

ACTION: Members

99/97. Council Briefing

COUN99-P57

Council received proposals for the Council Briefing meeting on 26 January 2000 and AGREED that papers tabled for discussion should be circulated to those members who were unable to attend.

Action: Secretary

99/98. Timing of Council Meetings

It was RESOLVED to move the start of Council meetings to 10.15am.

 99/99. Membership of Council and its Committees

COUN99-P58 - P59

.1 The membership of Council for 1999/2000 was noted. The need to put in place procedures to ensure the election of Senate representatives was raised. Council AGREED that the Registrar should bring forward proposals to address this issue.

Action: Registrar

.2 It was RESOLVED to approve a list of appointments to vacancies on Council Committees and Joint Committees with Senate.

99/100. Duties and Responsibilities of Members of Council

COUN99-P60

The duties and responsibilities of members of Council were noted.

99/101. Strategic & Operational Plans

.1 Strategic Plan

Council received a copy of the Strategic Plan for 1999-2004.

COUN99-P61

.2 Operational Plan

Council received a copy of the Operational Plan for 1999/00. It was pointed out that the generation of web pages had resource implications at departmental level and Council was urged to provide support for this

99/102. University Calendar

It was RESOLVED that resources should be made available to produce a printed version of the University Calendar.

Action: Registrar

99/103. University Court

Council noted that the 2000 Annual Meeting of the University Court would be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 9 February 2000.

99/104. Departmental Links

Mr Maxwell gave a brief report on his links with the Department of Mechanical Engineering which had included a staff meeting at which he had given a presentation on the working of the Council.

99/105. Dates of Future Meeting

Council noted dates of future meetings as follows.

Monday, 20 December 1999, am.
*Wednesday, 16 February 2000, am.
Wednesday, 5 April 2000, am.
Wednesday, 19 July 2000, am.

(*only if required: at least two weeks notice to be given)


Author - F M Hannah
Date - 28 October 1999
Copyright (c) Loughborough University. All rights reserved.