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Minutes of the meeting of the University Council held on Friday 30 March 2007.
Members:
Sir Bryan Carsberg (Chair); Dr Memis Acar (ab); John
Blackwell; Roger Boissier; Penny Coates (ab); Dr Sandie Dann; Vivian Dhaliwal
(ab); Venu Dhupa; Gifty Edila; Sir John Gains; Marc Gibson; Paul Glover; Gemma
Godfrey; Professor Neil Halliwell; Peter Haslehurst; Norma Honey (ab); Sir John
Jennings (ab); Jim Mutton; Professor Richard Parry-Jones; Professor Shirley
Pearce; Graham Picken; Simon Proffitt; Dr Fytton Rowland; Jackie Strong; Jeremy
Swaffer; Professor Rachel Thomson (ab); Professor Y Vardaxoglou; Professor
Peter Warwick; Dr Cyril Woodruff (ab); Dr Alan Woods.
In attendance:
Professor Chris Backhouse; Professor Morag Bell; Chris Dunbobbin; Professor Peter Golding; Professor Terry Kavanagh; Professor Ken Parsons; Michael Pearson; John Town; Jon Walker; Rachel Wiggans; Peter Winter.
Apologies for absence were received from:
Dr Memis Acar; Penny Coates; Vivian Dhaliwal; Venu Dhupa;
Norma Honey; Cyril Woodruff.
The Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 19 December 2006 [COUN06-M7] were CONFIRMED.
07/2.1 Induction Programme for New members
The Registrar reported that another induction
event for new and existing members of Council would be held on the afternoon of
30 March 2007. A number of Departmental visits were also being arranged.
07/2.2 Review of Residential Accommodation
Further to minute 06/108, the Bursar was co-ordinating
a full review of the provision of catered and non-catered hall accommodation
and associated soft FM. A report was expected before the end of 2007.
07/3.1 Financial Report 2006-07
COUN07-P1
The Director of Finance reported that the projected surplus for 2006-07,
after exceptional items, had increased from £3M to £4.6M. This was attributable
to a number of factors, including an increase in international tuition fee
income and the removal of the provision for under-recruitment. Council recorded
its thanks to all of those involved in the recruitment effort.
Council was reassured that significant resources had been, and continued
to be made available for the recruitment of staff ahead of the RAE 2008 census
date.
The take-up of bursaries paid under the University’s OFFA
agreement had been lower than predicted, but this was a common phenomenon
across the sector. The University was engaged in a number of activities to attempt
to increase awareness and take-up of bursaries, and the situation would continue
to be monitored closely.
07/3.2 HEFCE Recurrent Grant for 2007-08
COUN07-P2
There had been an increase of 5.9% in the University’s HEFCE
recurrent grant for 2007-08. The core grant was up by 2.7%, with the remainder
of the increase mainly attributable to specific allocations for widening
participation, additional student numbers and vulnerable subjects. It was hoped
that further ‘vulnerable subjects’ funding would also be secured in
respect of IPTME. Overall, the increase in the allocation was satisfactory, but
some other institutions had fared better, and there appeared to be
opportunities for the University to achieve a greater positive variance in the
following year.
07/3.3 HEFCE Financial Health Indicators
COUN07-P3 (to follow)
The Director of Finance presented the latest set of HEFCE Financial
Health Indicators and drew particular attention to the University’s
position in relation to the rest of the sector in terms of projected operating
surpluses, net liquidity and external borrowing as a percentage of total
income. Council noted that Michael Pearson in particular deserved credit for
the University’s sound financial position.
It was NOTED that given the University’s capital programme
ambitions over the following 10 years, it would be difficult to keep borrowing
at current levels, and that consideration would need to be given to policy on
operating surpluses. At the same time, sources of funding were becoming
increasingly variable and less certain, and this would need to be taken into
account when deciding whether existing surplus levels were adequate as a risk
protector.
07/4.1 Progress Report
COUN07-P4
Council RECEIVED a progress report on the Capital Programme.
07/4.2 Science &
(some information has been
redacted due to commercial sensitivity)
COUN07-P5
Council RECEIVED an update on issues relating
to the
07/4.3 Car Park 7 Development
COUN07-P6
Council RECEIVED an update on the development
of student residences on Car Park 7. Subsequent to the paper being circulated
it had been discovered that part of a gas main running through the site would
need to be replaced. This additional work would (i) require a change to the
phasing of the project with fewer rooms becoming available in 2008, (ii) result
in financial close being delayed until towards the end of April, and (iii)
create a negative premium of £1.3M (although there would be an opportunity to
exert pressure in order to mitigate this).
Council CONFIRMED its resolution to delegate
authority to the Chair, Treasurer and Vice-Chancellor to give final approval to
proceed with the project as soon as possible after financial close was achieved,
notwithstanding that a negative premium might still remain. In additional,
Council RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Chairs of Council and Resources
and Planning Committee to progress proposals on the construction of a
multi-storey car park on the West Park of campus, should EMG’s review of
parking strategy determine this to be the preferred course of action.
07/5.1 Recommendations to Court
Council NOTED that on the recommendation of Council, Court had approved that Sir John Gains be appointed as Pro-Chancellor for an initial term of three years from February 2007.
COUN07-P7
Council
RECEIVED a report of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 23 February
2007, and noted in particular that good progress had been made on the Business
Continuity (Major Incident) Plan, and in relation to IT/IS and Health and
Safety Governance. With regard to the latter, it was noted that the Health and
Safety Manager had resigned, and that it would be important to fill the
resulting vacancy urgently.
Noting that
the University existing internal auditors, KPMG, had last been appointed in
2000, Council APPROVED Audit Committee’s recommendation that a market
testing exercise for Internal Audit Provision be undertaken, prior to making an
appointment or reappointment in July 2007. Further, Council AGREED that the
correct interpretation of paragraph 1 of Statute XI (The Auditors) was that it
applied to the appointment of external auditors; that the responsibility for
the appointment of internal auditors lay with Audit Committee; and that the
Terms of Reference of Audit Committee should be amended to clarify this point.
07/7.1 Implementation Plans
The Vice-Chancellor reported that EMG was meeting on a regular basis to
develop the detailed implementation plans which would supplement the main University
Strategy. It was intended that a complete set of plans, together with a
resource framework, would be presented to Council in July 2007. An away day for
Heads of Academic Departments and Support Services had also been held, and a
further away day, focusing on the emerging Human Resources supporting strategy
was planned.
07/7.2 Key Performance Indicators
COUN07-P8
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor provided an update on progress in developing
a set of KPIs to enable Council to monitor progress towards the
University’s main strategic goals, and a draft framework was tabled. Council
welcomed the tabled document, noting that KPIs were crucial in connecting
aspirations to delivery. The following comments were made in discussion:
(i)
There were some areas of University
activity which were difficult to measure, and in the absence of a meaningful KPI,
a commentary should be provided.
(ii)
A KPI should be identified in
relation to corporate social responsibility. It was noted that other
institutions had indices to measure performance in this area.
(iii)
There should be a KPI in relation to
CO2 emissions.
(iv)
Consideration should be given to the
adoption of further output measures as KPIs for Teaching and Learning.
It was emphasised that the KPI framework would evolve as the
implementation plans were finalised, and as more work on the underlying data
was undertaken. Council members were asked to contact the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor off-line with further comments or suggestions.
ACTION: All
Council NOTED:
(i) The retirements of Michael Pearson at the end of March 2007, and
John Town at the end of 2007.
(ii) The creation of the post of Chief Operating Officer, to provide strategic leadership and
responsibility for the areas currently covered by Michael and John (noting
that the role of Director of Finance has already been taken over by Rachel
Wiggans).
(iii) That the Chief
Operating Officer would fulfil the responsibilities of the Registrar as
indicated in the Charter and Statutes.
07/9.1 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)
(i) Research Applications, Grants and
Contracts
COUN07-P9: NOTED.
(ii) RAE 2008
COUN07-P10: NOTED.
(iii) Recent Research Activity
COUN07-P11: NOTED.
07/9.2 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching)
COUN07-P12
Student Recruitment for 2007 Entry: NOTED.
07/9.3 Pro-Vice-Chancellor (
COUN07-P13: NOTED.
Council RECEIVED a report from the
Vice-Chancellor on the following matters:
(i) National Issues
COUN07-P14
The Vice-Chancellor introduced a briefing paper on some current policy issues with Higher Education. Council welcomed the report, which was useful for lay members in particular.
(ii) Incident at Loughborough Students’ Union
The Vice-Chancellor
noted initially that the student who had received gunshot wounds during the
incident at LSU on 11 March 2007 was still in hospital, but was making good
progress. It was expected that the police would make an announcement at the end
of the week commencing 2 April 2007 regarding the closure of their
investigation.
The University had
taken the incident extremely seriously, and had responded immediately. A full
review of the way in which events were planned and managed at LSU had been undertaken
in co-operation with LSU, and a number of new procedures initiated as a result,
including the introduction of a risk-assessment procedure for all events at the
University. Recommendations would also be put to Council in July 2007 in
relation to changes to Ordinance XVI, which governed the relationship between
the University and Students’ Union. Thanks were given to the LSU
Executive for its help in responding to the incident. Despite the very serious
nature of the events, business on campus appeared to have returned to normal
within a few days, and there had been no indications of any negative impact on
recruitment.
(iii) Council NOTED that interviews to appoint the next Dean of
Engineering had been held, and APPROVED the recommendation of the Appointment
Committee to appoint Professor Steve Rothberg.
07/11.1 Confirmation of Special Resolutions
Further to minute 06/113.2 and paper
COUN06-P122, Council CONFIRMED a Special Resolution to recommend to HM Privy
Council an amendment to Statute XIV (The Senate).
07/12.1 Confirmation of Amendments
Further to minute 06/114.2 and paper COUN06-P123, Council CONFIRMED
amendments to Ordinance XXXVIII (Student Complaints Procedures), with effect
from 1 January 2007.
07/12.2 New Amendments
COUN07-P15
On the recommendation of Senate, Council APPROVED amendments to
Ordinance XV (Study Leave and Leave to Accept an Externally Funded Award).
COUN07-P16
Council APPROVED amendments to the University’s Health and Safety
Policy relating to the transfer of responsibilities from the Registrar to the
Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
COUN07-P17
On the recommendation of the Radiation Protection Committee, Council
APPROVED amendments to the Local Rules for the Protection of Persons Exposed to Ionising Radiation in
view of new research being carried out in the Department of Human Sciences,
involving the use of a Dual X-ray Absorptiometer.
COUN07-P18
Council RECEIVED a report from the meeting of Senate
held on 7 March 2007, and APPROVED the following recommendations:
(i) Programme Proposals
(minute 07/8 refers)
(ii) Establishment of New Prizes, Amendments to Existing Prizes, and
the Discontinuation of Prizes (minute 07/11 and Annex A refer)
COUN07-P19
Council RECEIVED a report from the meeting held on 9 March 2007.
07/17 Timothy
Godfrey Memorial Fund
COUN07-P20
Council APPROVED an amendment to the membership of the Advisory
Committee for the Timothy Godfrey Memorial Fund.
07/18 Common
Seal
COUN07-P21
Council RESOLVED to ratify the action of the Registrar in affixing the
University Seal to the documents listed.
07/19 Council
Business Cycle (Annual Agenda) 2006-07
07/20 Chair’s
Action
BA in English and Sports Science
Council NOTED that the
Vice-Chancellor, on the recommendation of Learning and Teaching Committee, had
taken action on behalf of Senate and Council to approve the reinstatement of BA
in English and Sports Science, with immediate effect.
Full details are available from the Assistant Secretary upon request.
07/21 Reports
of Committees
Council RECEIVED
reports from the following Committees:
(i) Health, Safety and
Environmental Committee – 21 February 2007 [COUN07-P23]
(ii) Performance
Monitoring Group – 5 December 2006 [COUN07-P24]
07/22 Date
of Next Meeting
Tuesday, 24 July 2007 (2.30pm)
Author – Chris Dunbobbin
Date – April 2007
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