The Council

COUN07-M1

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.

                                                                                                                                                     

07/1    Minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 19 December 2006 [COUN06-M7] were CONFIRMED.

07/2    Matters Arising

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    Finance Matters

 

 

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    Capital Programme

07/4.1  Progress Report

COUN07-P4

Council RECEIVED a progress report on the Capital Programme.

 

07/4.2  Science & Enterprise Park / Sports Park Developments

(some information has been redacted due to commercial sensitivity)

COUN07-P5

Council RECEIVED an update on issues relating to the Science & Enterprise Park, and Sports Park developments. It was noted in particular that discussions with an external partner were at a critical stage.

 

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    Nominating Committee

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.

 

07/6    Audit Committee

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    Update on University Strategy

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

 

07/8    Chief Operating Officer

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    Matters for Reports

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 (Enterprise)

COUN07-P13: NOTED.

 

07/10  Vice-Chancellor's Business

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  University Statutes

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  University Ordinances

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).

 

07/13 University Health and Safety Policy

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.

 

07/14 Amendment to Local Rules for the Protection of Persons Exposed to Ionising Radiation

 

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.

 

07/15 Senate

 

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)

 

07/16 Resources and Planning Committee

 

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

COUN07-P22

Council RECEIVED an updated Annual Agenda for 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
Copyright (c) Loughborough University.  All rights reserved.