University council minutes 19 March 2024

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March at 9.15 am via Microsoft Teams

Membership:

Paige Archer – A                                                    

Ingrid Barker                                                      

Thomas Chambers                                            

James Cooper                                                   

Paul Crichard                                                    

Ruth Dooley – A                                                     

Nicola de Iongh (Chair)                                      

Chris Fung                                                        

Steve Gardiner                                                  

Dr Louise Livesey                                              

Clare Marchant                                                  

Pamela Sissons                                                 

Elonka Soros                                                     

David Soutter                                                     

The Rt Revd Robert Springett

Joe Sucksmith              

Julie Walkling    

Dr Peter Warry                                             

Ibby Williams                                          

In attendance:

Julie-Ann Brooks, Director of People

Prof Jackie Labbe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Camille Stallard, Chief Financial Officer

Dr Matthew Andrews (Secretary to Council), Chief Operating Officer

Jess Lawson (Assistant Secretary to Council), Director (Strategic Planning and Transformation)

Penny Gravestock (Minutes), Assistant Secretary to Council

C.24.24 Prayer

The Rt Revd Robert Springett led the meeting in a prayer.

C.24.25 Welcome and Apologies

Received: apologies for absence from Ruth Dooley and Paige Archer. It was noted that Ingrid Barker would need to leave the meeting between 10.30 and 11 am.

C.24.26 Business of the Agenda

Noted: that there had been no request to unstar any item on the agenda, and therefore it was assumed that paper C/19/24 had been noted as stated.

C.24.27 Declarations of Interest

Received: a declaration of interest from the Academic Staff Member of Council, but it was noted that there were no items on the agenda that were likely to cause any conflict.

C.24.28 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2024

Resolved: it was agreed that the minutes were an accurate record of the meeting held on 6 February 2024.

C.24.29 Matters Arising (C/13/24)

Received: details of the matters arising as outlined in the paper.

C.24.30 Chair’s Business

C.24.30.1 Received: an update from the Chair from recent discussions at a Committee of University Chairs (CUC) event regarding the financial challenges of the higher education sector, noting the opportunity to ask for an in-house session for governors. The Chair also reported that she was standing as a candidate for the role of Chair of the CUC when the current role holder stood down at the end of May 2024.

C.24.30.2 Received: updates from each of the Committee Chairs on key discussions held at the following meetings:

1. Audit and Risk Committee, 8 March 2024;
2. Finance and General Purposes Committee, 12 March 2024;
3. Council Chairs’ Group, 13 March 2024;

C.24.30.3 Noted: that since the last meeting, there had been:

1. one decision made via circulation: the appointment of Katharine Clough as the new Chief Marketing Officer who would be starting at the University on 17 June 2024;
2. one use of the company seal: for a deed of novation between the University, the University of Worcester, and Sport England regarding the Severn Stars.

C.24.31 SU Update Report to Council (C/14/24)

C.24.31.1 Received: the Students’ Union (SU) update, noting in particular:

1. the recent elections for the 2024/25 Full-Time Officers;
2. that Varsity with University of Worcester was underway;
3. the success of the Sexual Health and Guidance week held by the SU;
4. discussions with the Members of Parliament for Cheltenham and Gloucester, together with details of the recent visit to Westminster.

C.24.31.2 Considered:

1. the opportunity for the SU to reach out to other Members of Parliament from the wider County and to encourage students to engage in the political debate, particularly in light of the upcoming elections. It was reported that the National Union of Students (NUS) were leading a campaign to encourage voting and engagement in what the different political parties were saying about students;
2. reflections on discussions at the All-Party Parliamentary Group Meeting on the student housing crisis;
3. whether the incoming Full-Time Officers would continue the focus on neurodiversity. Whilst the priorities for 2024/25 had not yet been shared, it was noted that the University and the SU were continuing discussions regarding reasonable adjustment guidance.

C.24.31.3 Noted: the recent activities within the Students’ Union.

C.24.32 CONFIDENTIAL: Vice-Chancellor’s Report (C/15/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.33 CONFIDENTIAL: 2023/24 Forecast 2 and Cashflow and Treasury Management Update (C/16/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.34 CONFIDENTIAL: Emerging Estates Roadmap (C/17/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.35 CONFIDENTIAL: Academic Board Update for Council (C/18/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.36 Council Schedule of Business* (C/19/24)

Noted: the Schedule of Business.

C.24.37 Minutes from Council Committees*

Noted: that the minutes from the following meetings would be available from the University Committees page on the staff Sharepoint site.

1. Remuneration and Human Resources Committee, 5 February 2024;
2. Audit and Risk Committee, 8 March 2024;
3. Finance and General Purposes Committee, 12 March 2024.

C.24.38 Any Other Business

Noted:

1. that as more members of Council had engaged with the process than originally envisaged, the outcome of the independent review agreed at the meeting held in February 2024 would now be brought back for consideration in May 2024.
   ACTION: Senior Independent Governor
2. that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor had been appointed as a member of Council at Leeds Beckett University and that it would be useful to compare that institution’s approach to governance;
3. that Council Members were invited to submit nominations for Honorary Awards each year. In discussion, it was noted that the University did not have a set approach about how best to use Honorary Award recipients effectively and that it would be useful to clarify what they might be asked to do.

C.24.39 Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday, 14 March 2024 at 9.15 am via Microsoft Teams.

Action list for the meeting held 19 March 2024

Minute number	Action	Responsibility
C.24.38	Any Other Business Noted: a) that as more members of Council had engaged with the process than originally envisaged, the outcome of the independent review agreed at the meeting held in February 2024 would now be brought back for consideration in May 2024.	Senior Independent Governor