MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY COURT HELD ON 14 DECEMBER 2009

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY COURT HELD ON 14 DECEMBER 2009 Present: Mr AG Simpson (Chair), Mr H Adam, Professor ID Aitken, Professor B Austin, Mr GDC Burns, Mr MD Cullen, Professor R Edwards, Mr PE Grice, Professor CM Hallett, Professor NH Keeble, Professor PC Lee, Mr AM Moffat, Mr RG Murray, Professor R C O'Connor, Mr G Pomphrey, Dr C Shankland, Mr GM Simmers, Ms G Geddes In Attendance: Professor S Burt, Mr KJ Clarke, Professor G Jarvie, Ms S MacDonald (Clerk), Mr LF McCabe, Professor G McCormac (for preliminary address), Mr M McCrindle, Ms JF Morrow, Ms K Plouviez, Dr J Rogers, Ms E Schofield, Professor IA Simpson, Ms M Thornton, Mr IM Robertson, Mr MP Toole Apologies: Ms N Ring, Mr T Spencer, Ms M Sweeney, Councillor F Wood The Chair introduced Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal Designate to Court members and invited him to say a few words. Professor McCormac gave a brief address to members. 1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST The Chair invited members to notify Court of any items of business in which they had an interest. No declarations of interest were made. 2. MINUTES Court approved the minutes of the meeting of 19 October MATTERS ARISING NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA There were no matters arising. 4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Director of Finance presented the financial statements for 2008/09 as recommended by the Finance and Resources Committee and Audit Committee. Court noted that the University generated a 2.3 million surplus for the year, on recurring activities before adjustment, against 2.9 million in 2007/08. After a series of adjustments concerning: pensions disclosure (FRS 17), staff restructuring, joint venture accounting and a change to how research postgraduate income was accounted for, the University reported a 98k surplus against 2.6 million the previous year. It was also reported that the University s cash position had strengthened but would continue to be monitored closely, and that the revolving credit facility was still available. Court noted that the financial statements had been given an unqualified audit report from the external auditor KPMG, and that the associated management 1 of 5

2 letter and Audit Highlights Memorandum did not contain any grade 1 recommendations. Thereafter, Court noted: 4.1 The Finance Office s commentary on the Financial Statements. UC(09/10)18(i) And approved: 4.2 The Financial Statements for 2008/09 and that they be signed as appropriate by the Director of Finance, Principal and chair of FRC. UC(09/10)18(ii) 4.3 The recommendations in the Management Report from the External Auditors and the management responses to those recommendations. UC(09/10)18(iii) 4.4 The Letter of Representation from the University UC(09/10)18(iv) 5. PRINCIPAL S COMMUNICATIONS The Principal reported on the following items: 5.1 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell (formerly Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution) had been appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in the recent Scottish Government reshuffle, replacing Fiona Hislop. The Director-General for Education, Leslie Evans, would be visiting the University on Thursday 17 Dec. 5.2 UK Government Higher Education Framework The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills had issued a new framework for the future success of higher education, setting out the important role universities would play in securing the country s economic recovery and long term prosperity. The higher education framework, Higher Ambitions The Future of Universities in a Knowledge Economy, set out a strategy for universities to remain world class, providing the country with the high level skills needed to remain competitive, while continuing to attract the brightest students and researchers. 5.3 Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance A review of Higher Education funding and student finance in the rest of the UK was to take place chaired by Lord Browne (former Chief Executive of BP). The review would take into account the aim of widening participation in universities and the need to simplify support for students. The findings of the review would not be published before the general election. 5.4 SFC Review of Teaching Funding The University of Stirling had sent a response to the SFC review of teaching funding by the initial deadline of 4 th December. Since responding, the SFC had provided some additional modelling data based on different numbers of funding subject groups rather than just the four groups proposed in the initial consultation documentation. As a result of the additional information provided, SFC had allowed institutions until the end of January 2010 to respond. 2 of 5

3 5.5 International Visits The Principal reported on her visits to India in October, and Dubai in November Campus Visits The Consul-General of India had visited the Stirling campus on 21 October Court noted the report. 6. FUTURE DIRECTIONS 6.1 Update Report UC(09/10)19(i) The Senior Deputy Principal and the Deputy Secretary gave Court an overview on progress with the Future Directions plan. The key focus since October Court had been on intensive planning sessions held with each department resulting in the production of an investment plan for strategic growth. 6.2 Presentation of Investment Proposals UC(09/10)19(ii) A presentation of the investment proposals was given by the Deputy Principal (Strategy & Resources). Court noted that the proposals were the culmination of a process of planning meetings with, and developing performance measures for, every academic department. Following considerable discussion on the content of the presentation and its associated report, Court approved the proposed investment plan, subject to: (i) (ii) (iii) The introduction of a performance measurement framework to enable the Court and Senior Management Team to monitor and evaluate progress. This would be contextualised within an information framework highlighting the implications of being a research-led institution for Stirling s activities, relevant indicators and comparators, the impact on research performance arising from investment, a timeline of key dates (including milestones in relation to the Research Excellence Framework) and an executive summary for each department detailing their strategic objectives. If possible, the Chair of Court and the Chair of Finance and Resources Committee should be consulted in helping to develop this framework. The report would be circulated to members in advance of the March meeting. Court discussed the status of the three departments that were identified as being the most significantly in deficit to the extent that they each required a specific recovery plan to secure their sustainability in the short to medium term. It was reported that analysis of the departments was underway and it was agreed that proposals to deliver sustainable plans for these key strategic areas would be brought to the Policy and Planning Committee in March. [Action: Deputy Principal (Strategy & Resources)/Finance Director/Deputy Secretary] 3 of 5

4 6.3 Staff Communications Update UC(09/10)19(iii) Court noted the Staff Communications Update report and recommended that Heads of Departments should be encouraged to disseminate the information received in their briefing sessions to staff. The Senior Deputy Principal agreed to pass on this recommendation at the next Heads of Department meeting. [Action: Senior Deputy Principal] 7. SINGLE EQUALITY SCHEME UC(09/10)20 Court reviewed and approved for publication the Single Equality Scheme. It was recommended that a copy of the new Mental Health Guidelines, to which the Scheme refers, be circulated to members for information at the next meeting. Court expressed particular thanks to the Policy & Governance Officer for her valuable contribution to the production of the Scheme. [Action: Clerk to Court] 8. GOVERNANCE MATTERS 8.1 Court Appointments Committee Court noted that 3 new members of Court had been appointed Dr J. Campbell Gemmell, Ms Lynne Marr, and Mr Simon Anderson. It was reported that the new members would attend their first meeting in March Staff Assembly Election Result Court noted that Mrs Gillian Geddes had been elected by the Staff Assembly to Court to serve from 6 November 2009 to 31 July ACADEMIC COUNCIL UC(09/10)21 Court noted the report from the meeting of Academic Council held on 1 December 2009 and considered the Academic Council Annual Report. Court was invited to assess whether the annual report provided adequate information for members to satisfy themselves as Governors that Council was effectively fulfilling its requisite duties. It was agreed that the next annual report should place further emphasis on evaluation of its activities and achievements in addition to a summary of matters considered. [Action: Academic Registrar] 10. FINANCE AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE (FRC) UC(09/10)22 Members considered the report from the FRC meeting of 24 November The Chair of the FRC Committee drew attention to item 6 of the report, which outlined the Residential Strategy, as an important area for discussion in the coming year. Thereafter, Court noted the remainder of the report. 11. POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE (PPC) UC(09/10)23 Court noted the report from the PPC meeting of 30 November AUDIT COMMITTEE (AC) UC(09/10)24(i)& (ii) The Chair of the AC gave an overview of the report from the AC meeting of 25 November 2009 and the Audit Committee Annual Report. Court noted both reports. 4 of 5

5 13. NATIONAL PAY NEGOTIATIONS The Director of Human Resources gave Court an update of the national pay negotiations. Court noted that three of the unions had accepted the current offer of 0.5% and that one union (EIS-ULA) has rejected it. Further talks were on-going and it was hoped they would be concluded before Christmas. 14. ANTI-HARASSMENT AND BULLYING POLICY - STAFF UC(09/10)25 Court approved the amendments to the University s Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy Staff. 15. SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL (SFC) BUSINESS UC(09/10)26 Court noted the changes in structure at SFC. 16. APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS UC(09/10)27 Court approved the recommendation by the Audit Tender Panel that KPMG be re-appointed as the University s External Auditors for a period of 3 years with effect from 01 January PROFESSOR EMERITUS Court approved the granting of the title Emeritus Professor to Professor Sheila Dow from her retirement on 31 December DOCUMENTS SEALED UC(09/10)28 Court noted the list of documents sealed. 19. COURT MEETINGS Court noted that subsequent meetings of Court would take place on the following dates: 22 March /23 April 2010 Special Court Meeting 22 April (Reception and Dinner - time to be confirmed) 23 April (Meeting to start in the morning and end with lunch) 21 June ANY OTHER UNRESERVED BUSINESS 20.1 The Chair, on behalf of Court, thanked Professor Ian Aitken for the vital contribution he had made during his time as a member. The Chair made particular mention of the exemplary diligence Professor Aitken had shown when dealing with Court business It was requested that a copy of the Strategic Plan Action Plan be circulated to members at March Court. Action: Clerk to Court] 5 of 5