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
The Chair welcomed Sir Bryan Carsberg to his first meeting of the University Council.
Four agenda items were unstarred for discussion.
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].
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.
COUN99-P63
It was RESOLVED:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
COUN99-P69
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
Tuition Fees for overseas students on placements from 2000/01.
COUN99-P71
Tuition Fees for 1999/00.
COUN99-P72
COUN99-P73
It was RESOLVED to approve the following recommendations referred by Senate at its 330th Meeting on 1 December 1999.
MSc Advanced Systems Engineering
MSc Innovative Construction
BEng/MEng Automotive Materials
BSc/MChem Chemistry with Materials
BSc Sport and Leisure Management/Sport and Leisure Management with DPS
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)
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.
COUN99-P75
It was RESOLVED to approve a form of Guarantee in favour of Yorkshire Bank Plc.
It was RESOLVED to approve a response to the HEFCE consultation document on proposed revisions to the Financial Memorandum.
COUN99-P77
It was RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the University Seal to the documents listed.
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.
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.
COUN99-P79
Council received the Annual Report of the Alumni Association for 1998/99.
COUN99-P80
Council received the Annual Report of Loughborough Students Union for 1998.
COUN99-P81
Council received a report from the Loughborough University Development Trust and summary financial statement for period to 31 July 1999.
COUN99-P82
Council received reports of the following Committees:
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
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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