The Council

COUN08-M1

Minutes of the meeting of the University Council held on Friday 18 January 2008.

Members:

Sir Bryan Carsberg (Chair); Dr Memis Acar; John Blackwell; Penny Coates; Dr Sandie Dann (ab); Vivian Dhaliwal (ab); Gifty Edila; Sir John Gains; David Gerty (ab); Marc Gibson; Paul Glover; David Goss; Professor Neil Halliwell; Peter Haslehurst; Norma Honey (ab); Sir John Jennings; Jim Mutton; Professor Ric Parker (ab); Professor Richard Parry-Jones (ab); Professor Shirley Pearce; Graham Picken; Simon Proffitt; Dr Fytton Rowland; Jackie Strong (ab); Professor Rachel Thomson; Professor Yiannis Vardaxoglou; Professor Peter Warwick; Dr Cyril Woodruff; Alan A Woods.

In attendance:

Professor Morag Bell; Sophie Driscoll; Professor Peter Golding; Professor Terry Kavanagh; Dr Jennifer Nutkins; Professor Ken Parsons; Paula Powditch; Professor Steve Rothberg; Miranda Routledge; Will Spinks; Jon Walker; Peter Winter.

Andrew Burgess (for item 08/3 and 08/4); Tim Bacon (for item 08/4)

Apologies for absence were received from:

David Gerty; Professor Ric Parker; Jackie Strong

08/1 Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 28 November 2007 [COUN07-M5] were CONFIRMED.

08/2 Matters Arising

08/2.1 Review of Council Effectiveness

Further to Minute 07/71 the Chair reported that Professor John Whittaker would progress the follow up review of Council Effectiveness from March/April 2008.

08/2.2 Residential Hall Fees

Further to Minute 07/73.2, it was confirmed that hall fees would be reported via the Residential Provision and Management Sub-Committee (RPMSC). Hall fees no longer required formal committee approval as, in line with the UPP agreement, they were set by a formulaic approach.

08/3 Capital Programme

08/3.1 Update on Major Building Projects

COUN08-P1

Council RECEIVED an update on major building projects. Due to the short period between Council meetings, there were no significant developments to report. However, it was noted that the University was undergoing a significant period of planning in relation to major building projects and there were currently over 80 projects at different stages.

08/3.2 Sport Park

COUN08-P2

Council RECEIVED a progress report from the Chief Operating Officer and noted:

· A Planning Application had been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council in December. A copy could be made available upon request.

· £1.5M of Lottery Grant had been confirmed – this was in excess of the amount requested and Jon Walker was commended for his role in securing the funds. The University was currently in the process of investigating the conditions attached to the grant.

· The University was continuing negotiations with potential tenants which covered a range of sports governing bodies. The first tenant had agreed in principle.

The project was complicated and required significant effort to manage successfully. Council was reminded that a number of risks remained but reassured that mitigating action was being taken to minimise them as far as possible.

08/4 Science and Enterprise Park (amended due to commercial sensitivity)

COUN08-P3

The PVC (Enterprise) gave a progress report on the Science and Enterprise Park. The University was planning to achieve as much of the project "off balance-sheet" as was possible. The preferred route was to identify external partners for a joint venture over the next 8-9 months. This approach limited the financial risk to the University and meant that the project could be progressed without impinging on plans to commit significant capital expenditure to the development of the East Park. The Enterprise Board had approved a Gateway Policy, included in the papers, designed to manage any potential conflict that may arise between joint venture partners and the University. Despite the expectation that the majority of buildings would eventually be funded by external partnership, there was encouragement to move forward with the development of the first building (a low carbon demonstration building) as a matter of some urgency. Therefore, it was proposed that the University adopt a twin track approach, with the first building being funded more conventionally "on balance sheet".

Council noted the challenging ambition to develop the pre-eminent Science Park in the region. Despite competition from sites in Leicester and Nottingham, the proposed Science and Enterprise Park was part of a wider regional plan which had the full support of EMDA. It was particularly encouraging that the ETI would be based at the heart of the Science and Enterprise Park.

On the recommendation of the Enterprise Board, Council ENDORSED the proposal to adopt a staged approach to the development of the Science and Enterprise Park, with the first building being funded from the capital budget and future developments to be funded through external partnerships. The ETI would now be progressed, as normal, through the agreed Major Capital Project Procedures and Council would continue to be updated on its progress.

08/5 University Budget 2007-08

COUN08-P4

Council NOTED the latest position for the 2007-08 Budget which showed an increased projected surplus. Student recruitment targets had been met and the HEFCE grant secured.

08/6 Key Performance Indicators

COUN08-P5

Council RECEIVED updated Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and noted:

· UK/EU undergraduate recruitment targets had been exceeded. This was a good outcome for the University and Council recorded its congratulations to all involved.

· UK/EU taught postgraduate recruitment targets had not been met. This result was not unexpected as it followed the national trend. In financial terms, under-recruitment was compensated for by the UK/EU undergraduate outcome. The University continued to investigate ways of improving recruitment in this market. It was encouraging to note that over a third of the UK/EU taught postgraduate students had studied an undergraduate degree at the University.

· International recruitment was well above target in both undergraduate and postgraduate markets.

· The University had exceeded formal benchmarks (data sourced from HESA) in terms of graduate employment. On this indicator, the University was placed third amongst the 1994 Group and first amongst the East Midlands Universities. This was an important indicator in terms of national league tables.

· Data on Teaching Space Utilisation was presented for the first time. The data showed 82% bookings against availability. Target and benchmark data was being prepared and would be presented at a future meeting.

08/7 imago Reports

08/7.1 imago at Loughborough Limited

COUN08-P6

Peter Haslehurst presented the annual report and financial forecasts. imago at Loughborough Limited principally managed the Burleigh Court and Holywell Park conference centres.

As previously reported to Council, Burleigh Court had recently undergone a major extension. Business had recovered well following the inevitable disruption caused by the building works. As at December 2007, the financial position was stronger than the previous year but still slightly below budget. However, Burleigh Court was forecasted to contribute significantly to the finances of the University over the next five years. The key to the success of Burleigh Court was the philosophy of Total Quality. All staff were educated in service quality and a number of awards had been won.

The financial position for Holywell Park conference centre was better than the previous year and ahead of budget.

The Chair of Council thanked Peter Haslehurst for his contributions to the success of imago at Loughborough Limited.

08/7.2 imago Services

COUN08-P7

The Chief Operating Officer presented the annual report and financial forecasts. imago Services essentially provided services on campus including student residences and hospitality. imago Services aimed to achieve a break-even position. A significant surplus was achieved in 2006/07 due to the delayed refurbishment of Towers Hall. Current forecasts indicated a significant deficit by 2009/10 and the University, with the Students’ Union, was seeking a solution which would achieve a sustainable break-even position. Discussions would continue through RPMSC and be reported back to Council in due course.

A member queried whether the University would be willing to consider enhancing the catering provision for PGT students during the summer. The Chief Operating Officer agreed to discuss this with the Director of imago Services. Action: SWS

08/8 Audit Committee

08/8.1 Annual Report of the Audit Committee 2006-07

COUN08-P8

Council APPROVED the annual report of the Audit Committee for 2006-07, together with the Annual Report from the Internal Auditors, for submission to HEFCE.

08/8.2 Meetings with the External Auditors

COUN08-P9

Council RECEIVED a report of the meeting with the External Auditors held on 22 November 2007.

08/9 Risk Register 2007/08: updated format

COUN08-P10

Council NOTED plans to update the format of the Risk Register to align it with the Strategic Plan.

08/10 Purpose and Membership of Court

COUN08-P11

Council CONSIDERED the proposals for a review of the purpose and membership of Court which currently required considerable effort from the University but was not well attended. It was reported that other universities had made their Courts useful vehicles for engagement with the local/regional community or with key industrial stakeholders.

08/11 Matters for Reports

08/11.1 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

COUN08-P12: NOTED

08/11.2 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise)

COUN08-P13: NOTED

08/12 Vice-Chancellor's Business

08/12.1 Recent Developments at the University

i. The British Olympic Association had chosen Aldershot as the location for Team GB’s Preparation Camp prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The University was disappointed; however, the decision presented opportunities for the University in terms of International Teams. Team GB would still train at Loughborough in the run up to the final preparation for the Games.

ii. The University had won two 2007 Times Higher Awards – Best Student Experience and Outstanding Support for Overseas Students. The Vice-Chancellor wished to thank staff from across the campus for their contributions.

08/12.2 Policy Developments for HE in the UK

COUN08-P14

i. Funding for Physics: The Vice-Chancellor reassured Council that the first wave of funding cuts would have a relatively small impact on the University. However, the University could be affected by further cuts in the future. Council would be kept informed of the situation.

ii. HEFCE Revisions to the Financial Memorandum: The University would contribute to the consultation with the support of the Treasurer.

iii. Research Assessment Exercise: The funding councils had proposed a new system for the assessment and funding of research in universities – the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University was contributing to the consultation on the REF both as a single organisation and via the 1994 Group. The REF proposed a shift in the way that research was funded – metrics would be the principle driver for science-based disciplines and light touch peer review for arts, humanities and social sciences. The University shared the sector’s concern that simple metrics would not be adequate or appropriate but was taking steps to maximize its performance under the likely new arrangements. Professor Charles Oppenheim was a member of the HEFCE Advisory Group on the mechanics of the new proposals.

08/13 Heads of Departments: Appointment Procedures

COUN08-P15

Council APPROVED amendments to the procedures for appointing Heads of Departments.

08/14 Student Complaints Annual Report

COUN08-P15

Council RECEIVED the Student Complaints Annual Report.

08/15 Amendments to Scheme of Delegations

08/15.1 Common Seal and Signing of Contracts/Leases

COUN08-P16

Council DELEGATED authority to the Chief Operating Officer relating to the use of the Common Seal and signatures on contracts/leases.

08/15.2 Establishment, Amendment and Discontinuation of Prizes

Council DELEGATED authority to the Academic Registrar to approve the establishment, amendment and discontinuation of prizes on the recommendation of the Prizes Committee (Statute XIII 6 (xvi)).

08/16 Senate

COUN08-P17

Council RECEIVED the report from the meeting held on 21 November 2007, and APPROVED the following recommendations:

(i) Programme Proposals

(ii) Establishment of New Prizes, Amendments to Existing Prizes, and the Discontinuation of Prizes

08/17 Enterprise Board

COUN08-P18

Council RECEIVED the report from the meeting held on 18 December 2007, and APPROVED amendments to the constitution to include the Chief Operating Officer and an External member from the Regional Development Agency or other Government body.

08/18 University Medal Committee: Constitution

COUN08-P19

Council APPROVED amendments to the constitution of the University Medal Committee.

08/19 Reports of Committees

Council RECEIVED reports from the following Committees:

i) Performance Monitoring Group – 5 December 2007 [COUN08-P20]

ii) Student Services Committee (31 October 2007) [COUN08-P21]

08/20 Date of Next Meeting

Friday, 4 April 2008 (10.15am)