Council

COUN99-M7

Minutes of the 262nd Meeting of the University Council held on 20 December 1999.

Members:

Dr. J K Green (Chair); Dr. C.J. Backhouse; Mr. H. Barber; Mr. G. Barfield; Mr. J.B.C. Blood; Mr. R.H. Boissier; Professor W.R. Bowman; Dr. T.G.M. Brooks (ab); 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 (ab); Miss J.E.L. Harvatt; Mr. P.J.K. Haslehurst; Dr. R.A. Haskins; Dr. T. Higgins; Professor J.R. Hough; 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. Reddrop; Professor I. Reid; Sir Denis Rooke; Mr. J.F. Rowland; Dr. A.W. Rudge (ab); Ven. I. Stanes (ab); 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: Sir Bryan Carsberg; Professor N.A.Halliwell; Mrs. F.M. Hannah; Professor I.C. Morison; Mrs S. J. Samples; Mr. J. Town; Ms S.K. Wheelans.

Apologies for absence were received from: Ms Dhupa; Professor Hanson; Dr Rudge; Ven Stanes


99/106 Chairman's Report

The Chair welcomed Sir Bryan Carsberg to his first meeting of the University Council.

99/107 Business of the Agenda

Four agenda items were unstarred for discussion.

99/108 Minutes

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Minutes of the 259th and 261st meetings of Council held on 14 July 1999 and 20 October 1999 [COUN99-M4 and COUN99-M6].

99/109 Matters Arising from the Minutes

Further to Minute 99/58

Council noted that the University would reimburse members of Council any reasonable costs incurred in carrying out their duties and that the Bursar and Finance Officer was satisfied that gown hire falls within this definition.

99/110 Appointment of Pro-Chancellor & Vice-Chairman

COUN99-P63

It was RESOLVED:

  1. To recommend to Court that Mr Boissier be appointed as a Pro-Chancellor of the University with effect from the Court meeting on 9 February 2000.
  2. On the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, to appoint Mr R Boissier as Vice-Chairman of Council for a period of three years with immediate effect.

99/111 Vice-Chancellors's Business

  1. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated Ms S K Wheelans, Manager of the Academic Registry, on her recent appointment as Academic Secretary at the University of East Anglia.
  2. The industrial action undertaken by the Association of University Teachers (AUT) had ended. Loughborough University had introduced procedures for moving staff from fixed-term to open-ended contracts. Discussions on the position of contract research staff were underway.
  3. The Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) had received notification of its funding allocation for 2000/01 from the DFEE. Although funding had increased by 5%, this included additional funding for capital projects and funded student numbers, both of which would be made available through a bidding process. Consequently the actual increase in funding was only 1.5% which represented a cut of 1% per fte student in real terms. The University had bid for additional funds but the outcome was unknown.
  4. The Vice-Chancellor reported that the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (CVCP) had made a submission to the Spending Review 2000 urging increased investment in higher education. The submission included the need for investment in the modernisation of pay structures and conditions.
  5. Undergraduate applications had continued their upward trend with an increase of 2.6% this year. Of particular note was the 10% increase in applications in the Faculty of Engineering which was against a decline nationally. Applications in the Science Faculty had decreased but this was in comparison to a large increase in the previous years. It was particularly encouraging to note an increase of 15% in overseas applications for the University as a whole.
  6. As members of Council were aware, the University had increased the value of new-research grants and contracts awarded in 1998/99 by 20% to a total of £21 million. The current year's performance was encouraging with new grants and contracts reaching £10.8 million in the first four months of the financial year.
  7. The Vice-Chancellor was delighted to report that Ian Breakwell's exhibition "Textworks, 1966-1999" had been cited in the national press as being one of the top five exhibitions outside London.
  8. The Vice-Chancellor congratulated Professor Ruth Lister on her recent appointment as one of the founding Academicians of the newly-created Academy of Learned Societies for the Social Sciences.
  9. Three of Loughborough's sports scholars had been among the award winners of the Sunday Times Sports Awards. Paula Radcliffe had been nominated Sports Personality of the Year, Jenny Tranfield won the Student Sports Personality of the Year and Karen Aspinall was a member of the England Netball Team which was nominated Team of the Year. Other sporting successes included Fiona Neale who had broken the World record in the 200 metres Backstroke and now hoped to qualify for the Sydney 2000 Paralympics. The men's and women's hockey teams were top of their respective leagues, the women's soccer team had reached the fourth round of the AXA FA Cup and the men's soccer team had drawn their recent friendly match with Aston Villa XI.

99/112 Statement of Accounts

COUN99-P64

Council considered the University Financial Statements and Financial Statistics for the year ending 31 July 1999, together with the comments of the Treasurer's Committee. In his opening remarks the Treasurer drew attention to the reduction in surplus from £2.7 million in 1997/98 to £1.3 million in 1998/99. A contributory factor to this was the restructuring costs resulting from the merger with LUSAD. This was a one-off cost which would not be repeated in future years. Income from the Funding Council had increased from £34.2 million in 1997/98 to £41.1 million in 1998/99 but there was a compensatory decrease in academic fees from £19.4million in 1997/98 to £17.8million in 1998/99 which was the result of the changes to tuition fees. Income from research grants and contracts remained largely unchanged but the outlook was encouraging. Total income had increased by £8.7million. Significant items on the balance sheet included the increase in fixed assets due to the merger with Loughborough College of Art and Design and the capital programme, and the rundown in current assets to fund this. The current asset position was expected to decline further in the coming year due to the ambitious capital programme.

There was some discussion about the acquisition treatment of Loughborough College of Art and Design in the accounts. Concern was expressed about the agreement which had been reached with the Auditors of relevant disclosures in order to comply with this treatment as summarised in note 13 of the accounts.

The Treasurer concluded his comments by reminding members of the importance of adhering to the Financial Strategy which had been agreed by Council when embarking on the capital programme, that is to rebuild reserves and to remain within HEFCE's recommended borrowing limit of 4%. The financial position remained fundamentally sound even though surpluses had declined. Council RESOLVED TO APPROVE the adoption of the Accounts.

99/113 Amendments to Charter, Statutes and Ordinances

COUN99-P65

Revised proposals relating to the appointment and terms of office of the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Deans were considered. The Registrar reminded members of the reasons for the proposed changes which were to remove the anomalies in the current process governing the appointment of Deans and Pro-Vice-Chancellors and their terms of office, to amend the limit on the number of Pro-Vice-Chancellors and to involve Council in the appointment of the Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Deans. The proposals under consideration had been revised to take account of comments made at the previous meeting of Council. The revised proposals had been considered by Senate at its last meeting and amendments suggested by Senate had been incorporated into the current document.

The main changes from the original proposals considered by Council were:

During discussion the following issues were raised:

ACTION: Registrar

It was RESOLVED to:

  1. APPROVE a special resolution to recommend amendments to the Charter and Statute VI (by 28 votes to 2 with 4 abstentions).
  2. APPROVE amendments to Ordinances VII and XXI with immediate affect (by 28 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions).

99/114 LUSAD: A Post - Merger Progress Report

COUN99-P66

Council considered a post-merger progress report on Loughborough University School of Art and Design (LUSAD). The Vice-Chancellor highlighted some of the major achievements of LUSAD including its overseas student recruitment initiative and the outstanding success of some of its students. He also drew attention to the research benefits of the merger resulting from the links between LUSAD and Computer Science and the development of the Gallery of the Future. The only real concern related to the way in which the merger had been treated in the Accounts as discussed under minute 99/112. The Vice-Chancellor's comments were endorsed by Professor Kavanagh, the Head of LUSAD. The School of Art and Design would be fully compliant with all University regulations by the end of the year and the Staff Development Office had been a considerable help during the merger process.

The Chairman welcomed the assimilation of LUSAD into the University and thanked the staff for all the co-operation shown during the merger process.

99/115 Capital Programme

COUN99-P67

A progress report on the Capital Programme was considered. Members were informed that the report included all projects under consideration, some of which were dependent on bids for external funding. The full programme was unlikely to be realised and could not, in any case, be implemented without an approach to the Funding Council for higher borrowing limits. This was considered unlikely as some slippage on the programme was inevitable. However, there were some externally-funded projects which might require rapid decisions and Council was being asked to give its approval in principle to these at this stage. On certain projects the University was required to contribute a percentage of the costs involved and a member asked whether the value of the land was included as part of this contribution. The Vice-Chancellor reported that Sport England was unable to take account of the value of land. In relation to the running costs, some projects would require a subsidy but others would generate income. Burleigh Court which generated income equivalent to three Lectureships per Faculty was quoted as an example.

A number of members expressed concern about the implications of the proposed capital programme for the University's core business in teaching and research. A member commented that the high standards of the University were dependent on the academic staff and there was serious concern about the continued achievement of academic objectives in the face of sustained cuts in resources. Examples quoted included the cuts in expenditure on books and serials in the Library and the increasing student : staff ratios.

The Treasurer reported that the Treasurer's Committee had considered the balance of expenditure on staff and capital projects and was conscious of the need to ensure that equal attention was given to both areas. The University had not met its target for transfer to the building fund in 1998/99 and was unlikely to achieve this in the coming year. Expenditure on the Fast-Track Research Initiative was evidence of the commitment to invest in staff.

It was RESOLVED:

  1. To give ACCEPTANCE IN PRINCIPLE to a contribution of £17 million (70% of the total cost) from the Lottery Board for the UKSI Sports Projects.
  2. TO APPROVE IN PRINCIPLE the development of the Sports Administration Building at a cost to the University of £1.25 million.
  3. TO APPROVE a Joint Statement of Intent with Loughborough College regarding the development of land adjoining Epinal way.

99/116 Membership of Council Committees

  1. A member questioned the appointment of the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor as Chair of Health, Safety and Environmental Committee since this conflicted with the terms of reference for the Committee which stated that the Chair should be a lay member of Council. Council was informed that the arrangement was seen as a temporary measure for the remainder of the academic session. It was agreed that new lay Council members should be given time to serve on Committees before assuming the role of Chair.
  2. It was RESOLVED TO APPROVE a list of appointments to vacancies on Council Committees and Joint Committees with Senate on the understanding that the appointment of the Chair of Health, Safety and Environment Committee was an interim arrangement for the remainder of the academic session.

    COUN99-P68

  3. It was RESOLVED TO APPROVE nominations from the Students' Union to membership of Council and its Committees and Joint Committees with Senate.

COUN99-P69

99/117 Treasurer's Committee

COUN99-P70

A member suggested that the application of different rules for travelling and subsistence rates within the UK to overseas was in conflict with EU regulations. It was agreed that the Bursar should investigate this.

ACTION: Bursar

99/118 Resources & Planning Committee

  1. It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by the Resources and Planning Committee at its 106th meeting on 12 November 1999.
  2. Tuition Fees for overseas students on placements from 2000/01.

    COUN99-P71

  3. It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Chair in approving on behalf of Council:

Tuition Fees for 1999/00.

COUN99-P72

99/119 Senate

COUN99-P73

It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by Senate at its 330th Meeting on 1 December 1999.

  1. Programme Proposals
  1. New programmes for introduction in the 1999/2000 session
  2. MSc Advanced Systems Engineering

    MSc Innovative Construction

  3. New programmes for introduction in the 2000/01 session.
  4. BEng/MEng Automotive Materials

    BSc/MChem Chemistry with Materials

  5. New programmes for introduction in the 2001/02 session.
  6. BSc Sport and Leisure Management/Sport and Leisure Management with DPS

  7. The discontinuation of the following programmes.

BSc/MChem Chemistry with Polymer Science/Technology (last intake 1999)

BSc Recreation Management (last intake 2000)

BEng/MEng Electronics Manufacture and Management (last intake 1996)

BSc Physics with Environmental Science (last intake 1999)

Diploma in Social Psychology (last intake October 1994)

Diploma in Substance Abuse (last intake October 1994)

  1. Revised Constitution, Terms of Reference and reporting line of Information Services Committee.
  2. Revised Terms of Reference for Research Committee
  3. Revisions to Ordinance XXX with immediate effect
  4. The establishment of new prizes, the withdrawal of prizes and revised conditions of award for prizes.

99/120 Honorary Degrees

COUN99-P74

Pursuant to Statute XVIII, on recommendation of Senate and with the advice of the Honorary Degrees Committee, it was RESOLVED to approve the issuing of invitations to persons to receive Honorary Degrees at Degree Congregations in 2000.

99/121 Guarantee to Yorkshire Bank Plc

COUN99-P75

It was RESOLVED to approve a form of Guarantee in favour of Yorkshire Bank Plc.

99/122 Revisions to the Funding Council's Financial Memorandum

It was RESOLVED to approve a response to the HEFCE consultation document on proposed revisions to the Financial Memorandum.

99/123 Common Seal

COUN99-P77

It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the University Seal to the documents listed.

99/124 Amendments to Statutes

Further to Minute 98/88 of Council's 254th meeting on 16 December 1998 and Minute 99/13.2 of Council's 257th Meeting on 24 March 1999, Council noted that the Privy Council has approved amendments to statutes XII, XIII, XIV and XV in regard to the membership of Committees by part-time staff.

99/125 DEE Research Contract

Council noted that the University has entered into a contract to the total value of £3.7 million with the Department of Education and Employment.

99/126 Loughborough University Alumni Association - Annual Report

COUN99-P79

Council received the Annual Report of the Alumni Association for 1998/99.

99/127 Loughborough Students Union Annual Report

COUN99-P80

Council received the Annual Report of Loughborough Students Union for 1998.

99/128 Loughborough University Development Trust

COUN99-P81

Council received a report from the Loughborough University Development Trust and summary financial statement for period to 31 July 1999.

99/129 Reports of Committees

COUN99-P82

Council received reports of the following Committees:

  1. Audit Committee of 28 October 1999
    (including Annual Report of the Audit Committee 1998/99)
  2. Health, Safety and Environmental Committee of 17 November 1999
  3. Treasurer's Committee of 24 November 1999
  4. Research Committee of 11 June and 4 November 1999
  5. Resources and Planning Committee of 12 November 1999
    (including Estimates 1999/00)
  6. Student Services Committee of 16 November 1999

    A member drew attention to the need to ensure that staff counselling provision was adequate to meet the increasing demand. The Registrar reported that steps has been taken to regularise the position and funding was in place to ensure provision for the current year. The budget for Student Services was however, under pressure. Another member indicated that mechanisms for reducing the pressure on staff would need consideration if staff counselling advised a reduction in work load.
  7. Senate of 1 December 1999

99/130 Degree Congregations in Summer 2000

Council noted the dates of Degree Congregations to be held in the summer 2000 as follows:

13 July 2000
14 July 2000
17 July 2000
18 July 2000


99/131 Dates of Future Meetings

Wednesday, 16 February 2000, 10.15am
Wednesday, 5 April 2000, 10.15am
Wednesday, 19 July 2000, 10.15am


Author - Fidelma Hannah
Date January 2000
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