University council minutes 14 May 2024

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2024 at 9.15 am via Microsoft Teams

Membership:

Paige Archer                                                    

Ingrid Barker                                                      

Thomas Chambers                                            

James Cooper – A                                                 

Paul Crichard – A                                                

Ruth Dooley                                                     

Nicola de Iongh (Chair)                                      

Chris Fung (until item C.24.53)                                                       

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) (for item C.24.53), Director (Strategic Planning and Transformation)

Penny Gravestock (Minutes), Assistant Secretary to Council

C.24.40 Prayer

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

C.24.41 Welcome and Apologies

Received: apologies for absence from James Cooper and Paul Crichard.

C.24.42 Business of the Agenda

Noted: that there had been no request to unstar any item on the agenda, and therefore it was assumed that papers C/28/24 and C/29/24 had been noted as stated.

C.24.43 Declarations of Interest

Received: a declaration of interest from David Soutter in relation to paper C/22/24, due to his wife’s position on the Integrated Care Board for Gloucestershire.

C.24.44 Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2024

Resolved: it was agreed that the minutes were an accurate record of the meeting held on 19 March 2024.

C.24.45 Matters Arising (C/20/24)

C.24.45.1 Received: details of the matters arising as outlined in the paper.

C.24.45.2 Noted: a concern raised regarding the process for the Independent Review, which would now be considered by Governance and Nominations Committee prior to Council in June 2024. It was noted that, due to the nature of the paper, it would not be available for Council Members to view as part of the Governance and Nominations Committee meeting documentation.  

C.24.46 Chair’s Business

C.24.46.1 Noted: the success of the recent Students’ Union Student Awards, which had been attended by the Chair.

C.24.46.2 Received: updates from each of the Committee Chairs on key discussions held at the following meetings:

1. Finance and General Purposes Committee, 23 April 2024;
2. Council, Foundation, and Chaplaincy Committee, 24 April 2024.

C.24.46.3 Noted: that since the last meeting, there had been no exercise of delegation, nor any use of the Company Seal. There had been one decision made via circulation: the appointment of Jaki Meekings Davis as a co-opted member of Finance and General Purposes Committee for a term of four years from 22 April 2024.

C.24.47 SU Update Report to Council (C/21/24)

C.24.47.1 Received: the Students’ Union (SU) update, noting in particular:

1. the recent Student Awards;
2. plans for DeStresstival to support student wellbeing during the exam period;
3. the changed date for the Annual General Meeting.

C.24.47.2 Considered:

1. whether any issues had arisen due to the Gaza conflict. It was noted that the SU had connected with the Jewish and Muslim societies at the start of the conflict, and that one student had queried the University’s position. It was reported that University Executive Committee was keeping the situation under regular review;
2. the response from the University and the SU regarding the recent legal case against University of Bristol which had been found to have breached its duties to make reasonable adjustments for a student who had later taken their own life. It was reported that a useful discussion had been held at the University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee looking at systems and the role of personal tutors, etc. It was noted that there was also work to be done internally to ensure that staff received detail of students’ individual circumstances to ensure that reasonable adjustments were put in place. It was hoped that more detail could be included on the University’s student records system to help better understand what a student may need. It was also noted that, if the curriculum was built so that all sessions were more inclusive, they would be easier to access and students would be more confident to declare their personal circumstances. The Chair reported that the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) was working with Professor Edward Peck, the Government’s Higher Education Student Support Champion, to review the role of governing bodies.

C.24.47.3 Noted: the recent activities within the Students’ Union.

C.24.48  CONFIDENTIAL: Vice-Chancellor’s Report (C/22/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.49 CONFIDENTIAL: Financial Update: Cashflow Forecast and Scenario Modelling (C/23/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.50 CONFIDENTIAL: Estates Updates (C/24/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.51 CONFIDENTIAL: Income Diversification (C/25/24)

This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.24.52 Curriculum Transformation Project Proposal (C/26/24)

C.24.52.1 Received: a proposal for the Curriculum Transformation Project 2024 – 2026. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor highlighted:

1. the need to have a curriculum fit for purpose to enable both students and staff to achieve academic fulfilment, to develop effective and sustainable processes, and to integrate institutional priorities;
2. key issues including clarity of identity, student engagement and workload, staff workload, and system availability;
3. plans to launch the project at the 2024 Festival of Learning.

C.24.52.2 Considered:

1. student funding and the impact of students needing to work alongside their studies, and whether it was possible to develop a curriculum that could take advantage of their employment as well as balancing timetables to support student employment;
2. the review of personal tutoring and its role in ensuring inclusion and wellbeing;
3. whether the pace and the timescale of the project was quick enough, noting the need to adhere to certain University processes and to be able to tell prospective students what was on offer as the 2025 recruitment cycle began;
4. the need to identify and disseminate good practice across the University to ensure consistency between subject areas;
5. the number of courses offered by the University, and opportunities to consolidate;
6. the incorporation of ‘horizon scanning’, including identifying regional requirements from employers;
7. the issue regarding the perception that the first-year academic experience was of limited value as marks often did not feed into final results, but noting that it was important to establish a baseline of knowledge and skills across cohorts;
8. the support and training needed for staff in order to develop efficiencies through the use of technology;
9. the potential perception of the resource required whilst the University was undergoing a cost-saving exercise;
10. engagement with the Trades Unions for the project.

C.24.52.3 Resolved: Council discussed and approved the Curriculum Transformation Project. 

C.24.53 Governance Review Terms of Reference (C/27/24)

C.24.53.1 Received: a paper that set out proposed terms of reference for a governance effectiveness review to be undertaken in 2024, together with recommendations for the appointment of an external reviewer. The Director (Strategic Planning and Transformation) highlighted the focus of the remit to include the role and composition of Council and the robustness of challenge, and the shortlist of potential providers.

C.24.53.2 Considered:

1. that whilst reviews could make valuable recommendations, there was also a risk of introducing more bureaucracy;
2. the different external providers outlined in the paper and their experience across the sector with different types of university;
3. why certain providers had not been shortlisted.

C.24.53.3 Resolved: Council considered and agreed the Terms of Reference and scope of the review. Council also considered recommendations made regarding the appointment of an external reviewer and recommended that at least three providers should be invited to tender against clear criteria to ensure a competitive process.

C.24.54 Annual Review of Collaborative Partnerships* (C/28/24)

Noted: the update regarding the annual review of collaborative partnerships.

C.24.55 Council Schedule of Business* (C/29/24)

Noted: the Schedule of Business.

C.24.56 Minutes from Council Committees*

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

1. Finance and General Purposes Committee, 23 April 2024;
2. Council, Foundation, and Chaplaincy Committee, 24 April 2024.

C.24.57 Any Other Business

Noted:

1. the upcoming inaugural lectures at the University, to which Members were invited to attend;
2. the agreed nominations for Honorary Awards in 2024, as approved by Academic Board.

C.24.58 Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday, 25 June 2024 at 9.15 am to be held in room BG012/13, Business School, Oxstalls, Gloucester.