Notes of Council meeting held on 24th June 2009

Lay members Mike Farrell and Dr Derek Harris are standing down from Council.  Mike and Derek have both made an enormous contribution to the work of Council, with a combined total of more than 20 years’ service, and we thank them very much for all their hard work and expertise. Derek will continue to sit on the Nominations Sub-Committee and Mike on the Finance and Major Projects Committee.

Council formally approved the University Budget for 2009/2010.  Headline figures are:

Council received a progress report on preparation of the University Estates Strategy, setting out the next steps and specific targets for utilisation of space, energy efficiency, quality of buildings, investments in maintenance and possible future School locations. The Estates Strategy timetable envisages its submission to, and adoption by, Council on 28^th October 2009.

Council received a progress report on matters arising from the Joint Council-Senate Away Day, particularly in relation to improving processes, developing an Estates vision, raising the profile of the University, the role of lay governors, and Senate/Executive relations.

The University’s risk register has been further developed and nine different risks identified which will be reviewed by the Executive and Council at six monthly intervals.

Council formally approved the Emergency Management Plan.

A new constitution for the Students’ Guild was approved and comes into operation from a date to be confirmed in autumn 2009.

Council approved the Ethical Investment Policy.

Council endorsed the Performance Related Pay proposals, that 3.6% of gross salary costs be allocated to Schools and  Departments for PRP and within that total a 1% award should be made to all qualifying staff in recognition of the University’s overall performance, with a further 4% for ‘high performance’ and 9% for ‘outstanding performance’.

Council approved arrangements for acceptance of indemnities in research contracts, and to streamline the existing system and reduce bureaucracy.

Council approved the recommendation from Senate confirming Professor Graham Hooley’s reappointment as Deputy VC/Senior PVC for a further thirteen months to 31 August 2010.