Council Terms of Reference

Council currently comprises 20 members consisting of:

• 14 External Members;
• the Vice-Chancellor;
• one Academic Staff Member;
• one General Staff Member;
• one Member of Academic Board;
• two Student Members.

Council, to fulfil its function as the Governing Body, has created a number of standing committees to assist in its work. By virtue of the Articles of Association, Council itself holds full responsibility for:

(i) the determination of the educational character and mission of the University;

(ii) the approval of the annual estimates of income and expenditure;

(iii) ensuring the solvency of the University and the safeguarding of its assets;

(iv) the appointment or dismissal of the Senior Staff;

(v) the varying or revoking of the Articles of Association of the University;

In addition, Council has also resolved to retain responsibility for a number of other powers as detailed in the Scheme of Delegations and the Statement of Primary Responsibilities.

Full details of Council, its membership and general operation, are available from the Secretary to Council.

Mode of operation

Chair: Appointed by Council

Vice Chair: Elected by Council

Officer: Secretary to Council

Quorum

The quorum for meetings of the Council shall be 8 Members of Council entitled to vote on the item being discussed of whom more than half shall be External Council Members. In the event that reserved business (as prescribed in Regulations) is to be considered, then the quorum for the meeting of Council shall be 7 External Members.

If at the time appointed for a meeting, or during the course of the meeting, sufficient numbers of members of Council to form a Quorum are not present the meeting shall stand adjourned and a Special Meeting may be summoned. Any meeting may be adjourned by resolution.

Frequency of meetings

Five times per year.

Reporting line

Current Sub-Committees

• Audit and Risk Committee
• Chairs’ Group
• Council, Foundation and Chaplaincy Committee
• Finance and General Purposes Committee
• Governance and Nominations Committee
• Remuneration and Human Resources Committee

Submission / availability of minutes

Minutes are held by the Secretary to Council, and published on the University website.

Council

Membership		Appointment Dates	Term of Office
External Members	Ms I Barker	Mar 20 – Feb 28	Second term
	Mr M Burch	Mar 25 – Feb 29	First term
	Mr T Chambers	Nov 23 – Nov 27	First term
	Mr J Cooper	Nov 23 – Nov 27	First term
	Ms N de Iongh (Chair)	May 17 – Sept 27	Second term
	Ms R Dooley	Nov 23 – Nov 27	First term
	Mr S Gardiner	Jun 20 – Jun 28	Second term
	Ms T Harrison	May 25 – May 29	First term
	Prof G Layer	Sep 25 – Aug 29	First term
	Mrs P Sissons	Jun 16 – Jun 26	Third term
	Ms E Soros	Jan 21 – Jan 29	Second term
	The Rt Revd R Springett (Vice-Chair)	Jun 16 – Jun 26	Third term
	Ms J Walkling	Aug 21 – Jul 29	Second term
	Dr P Warry	Feb 20 – Feb 28	Second term
Vice-Chancellor	Dame C Marchant	N/A	Ex officio
Academic Staff Member	Vacancy	–	–
General Staff Member	Mr J Sucksmith	Nov 22 – Nov 26	First term
Academic Board Member	Mrs R Albrighton	May 25 – Jan 28	First term
Student Members	B Holland	Jul 25 – Jun 26	Ex officio
	F Rowley	Jul 25 – Jun 26	Ex officio
Board Apprentice	Miss E Hill	Sep 24 – Aug 26	Second term
	Mr B Edington-Thomas	May 25 – May 26	First term