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Source: www.glos.ac.uk. All Rights Reserved. 2026 University of Gloucestershire

Governance and Structure

​​​​​The University Executive Committee is responsible for all matters associated with the development and management of the university.

University Council Minutes 28 April 2026

Minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2026 at 9.15am via Microsoft Teams

Membership:
Becki Albrighton
Ingrid Barker
Mark Burch
James Cooper
Ruth Dooley – A
Nicola de Iongh (Chair)
Steve Gardiner
Tracey Harrison
Bianca Holland
Prof Geoff Layer
Dame Clare Marchant
Freya Rowley
Prof Adeela Shafi – A
Pamela Sissons
Elonka Soros
Rt Revd Robert Springett
Julie Walkling
Dr Peter Warry

Board Apprentices:
Ben Edgington-Thomas (until end C.26.45)
Eleanor Hill – A

In attendance:
Dr Matthew Andrews (Secretary to Council), Chief Operating Officer
Julie-Ann Brooks, Director of People
Jo Charles (for C.26.52), Director of Commercial and Transformation
Katharine Clough, Chief Marketing Officer
Prof Cathia Jenainati, Executive Dean – Partnerships (Head of School –
Business, Computing and Social Sciences)
Dr Graham Parton, Executive Dean – Teaching Innovation (Head of
School – Education, Health and Science)
Prof Angus Pryor, Executive Dean – Research (Head of School –
Arts, Culture and Environment)
Camille Stallard, Chief Financial Officer
Steph Base (Minutes), Senior Governance and Secretariat Officer

C.26.33 Prayer
The Rt Revd Robert Springett led the meeting in a prayer.

C.26.34 Welcome, Apologies and Quorum
Received: apologies for absence from Ruth Dooley.

Noted: the meeting was quorate.

C.26.35 Business of the Agenda
Noted: the following:

  1. that there had been no request to unstar any item on the agenda, and therefore it was assumed that items C.26.56 to C.26.68 had been approved or noted as stated.

C.26.36 Declarations of Interest
Noted: none were raised.

C.26.37 Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2026 and 6 March 2026

C.26.37.1 Resolved: Council approved the minutes as an accurate record of the meetings held on 2 February 2026 and 6 March 2026.

C.26.38 CONFIDENTIAL: Matters Arising (C/18/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.39 CONFIDENTIAL: Chair’s Business including Key Issues Report (C/19/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

Section A: Main Items for Discussion

C.26.40 Student Union Report to Council (C/20/26)

C.26.40.1 Received: the Students’ Union (SU) update, which was taken as read. The following were noted in particular:

  1. a valuable meeting had taken place with the SU, students and the MP of Tewkesbury; discussions covered housing, cost of living crisis, TEF/OfS, fees and loans. The MP agreed to raise Article 4 housing issues with Gloucestershire County Council and to engage with the NUS to consider student loans reform.
  2. Playhouse officer activity was well received, with strong student engagement.
  3. The ‘Fed Up’ campaign would continue next academic year, as survey data showed the cost of living the main concern for students at the University.
  4. Both Student Members of Council had been re-elected as Student Unions officers for 2026/27.
  5. BUCS activity included advisory board attendance; intent to stand for a role in July was noted.
  6. Varsity week had concluded (loss 12–7 overall) but was successful; article published on Staffnet.
  7. an SU Awards Night scheduled for the following evening.

C.26.40.2 Considered: the following:

  1. Council extended their congratulations to both Student Members of Council on their re-election as Student Unions officers for 2026/27, whilst commiserations and thanks were extended to Iffat Jahan for their contributions.
  2. positive discussions had taken place with Heads of School and students, though activity was limited due to low campus presence; further work would resume in September. A School of Arts Culture and Environment Away Day invitation was noted.
  3. Varsity was commended, with recognition of strong Team Glos performance.
  4. Council Members commended the effective presentation of HMO/housing issues to councillors.
  5. A proposal for a summer ball-style festival was noted, with Council support indicated for next year.
  6. Support was expressed for the BUCS role application.
  7. Discussion was held on housing/HMO and cost-of-living issues; it was agreed to strengthen communication (e.g. all-student emails) and take forward a more proactive, forward-looking approach. Council support was confirmed.

C.26.40.3 Noted: recent activities within the SU.

C.26.41 CONFIDENTIAL: Vice-Chancellor’s Report (C/21/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.42 CONFIDENTIAL: Financial Performance Monitoring Report including Forecast 2 (C/22/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.43 CONFIDENTIAL: Budget 2026/27 Update (C/23/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.44 CONFIDENTIAL: Academic Board Update for Council (C/24/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.45 CONFIDENTIAL: Academic Partnership Governance Overview (C/25/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.46 CONFIDENTIAL: Diversification and Growth (C/26/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.47 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Update (C/27/26)

C.26.47.1 Received: a report which aimed to provide assurance on the University’s approach to TEF. The following were noted:

  1. that the forthcoming TEF represented a significant regulatory shift, with increased OfS focus on student outcomes (B1/B3) and implications for finance and recruitment; achieving at least a Silver rating was identified as a strategic priority.
  2. a University-wide TEF Steering Group had been established, taking a whole-institution approach across five workstreams: data and insight, continuous enhancement and risk, student voice, quality processes, and narrative development
  3. early analysis of performance data (2023–25) indicated opportunities for targeted intervention, particularly in student experience and outcomes.
  4. that robust data would underpin improvement, with narrative development drawing on evidence of best practice across the institution.

C.26.47.2 Considered: the following:

  1. apprenticeship provision was highlighted as a challenge, with continuation issues impacting outcomes and performance data; improvements were being evidenced following recent Ofsted review.
  2. the importance of robust internal data and early identification of issues was emphasised, beyond reliance on TEF dashboards.
  3. progress on student voice was noted, with SU engagement embedded in the TEF approach; further work was underway to ensure consistent feedback loops and impact across the institution.
  4. NSS results highlighted ongoing concerns around organisation, management, and communication; improving consistency and addressing core student experience issues were identified as key priorities.
  5. It was agreed that a further TEF item on interventions would be brought to the Council Strategy Away Day in June.
    Action: Action: Executive Dean, Teaching Innovation
  6. Council noted links between staff experience, management capability, and student outcomes, emphasising the importance of culture, communication, and effective leadership.

C.26.47.2 Resolved: Council noted assurance of strategic oversight and approach.

C.26.48 Assurance Concerning the Use of Discounting within the Bachelors’ Degree Classification Algorithm (C/28/26)

C.26.48.1 Noted: the following:

  1. the context regarding OfS Condition B4, relating to assurance over degree classifications and concerns around grade inflation.
  2. that recent OfS guidance identified practices that could contribute to grade inflation, requiring institutions to review or justify their approaches.
  3. that the University’s degree classification approach, including discounting, had been reviewed to ensure compliance with Conditions of Registration.
  4. Academic Board recommended continuing the use of discounting as part of the classification approach, with notification to OfS by end of July 2026.
  5. the paper was noted as forming the basis for future engagement with OfS, rather than a submission at this stage.

C.26.48.2 Considered: the following:

  1. student feedback and SU engagement were noted in strong support of the current degree classification approach, with discounting seen as an important safety net for students, particularly those with disabilities.
  2. Council acknowledged that all students were required to meet learning outcomes, with discounting affecting classification rather than academic standards.
  3. broad support for the approach was expressed, with the paper providing a clear and robust rationale.
  4. questions were raised regarding benchmarking, historic baselines, and consistency across courses; clarification was provided on methodology and compliance with OfS expectations.
  5. the importance of emphasising reasonable adjustments and student support within the approach was highlighted.
  6. the need for clear framing and positioning in future engagement with OfS.

C.26.48.3 Resolved: Council considered the position and supporting evidence set out in the paper and approved the University’s continued use of discounting within the bachelors’ degree classification algorithm from September 2026.

C.26.49 CONFIDENTIAL: Finance Strategy 2026-30 (C/29/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.50 CONFIDENTIAL: Estates Update (C/30/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.51 Plans for Council Away Day

C.26.51.1 Received and noted: a verbal update from the VC regarding plans for the Council Strategy Away Day, which would include the following:

  1. A session on TEF regarding the University’s plan and proposed interventions, and mapping the narrative to data.
  2. The international, national, local and University landscape.
  3. A deep dive on TNE and Diversification/Growth plans.
  4. A Strategy refresh to review values and strategic goals.
  5. Tour of the FutureSim
  6. Dinner and an engaging speaker.

C.26.51.2 Resolved: Council noted the update.

C.26.52 CONFIDENTIAL: Risk Management (C/31/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.53 CONFIDENTIAL: Review of Pension Provider for UoGPSL (C/32/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

C.26.54 Council and Sub-Committee Membership & Recruitment (C/33/26)

C.26.54.1 Noted: the paper and considered the following proposed appointments as recommended by Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC):

C.26.54.1.1 External Members of Council

  1. David Ashton as an External Member of Council as soon as due diligence checks were complete and satisfactory.
  2. Adrian Crompton as an External Member of Council from 1 July 2026.
  3. Debbie Forster as an External Member of Council from 1 July 2026.
  4. Dave Oakhill as an External Member of Council from 1 July 2026.
  5. if approved, Adrian, Debbie and Dave would be invited to attend the Council Strategy Away Day and Council on 28 / 29 June 2026, as observers.


    C.26.54.1.2 Council Sub-Committee Memberships
  6. David Ashton to be appointed to Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and then to take on role as Chair for ARC from 1 July 2026, replacing Pam Sissons. It was anticipated a vacancy would arise on GNC in February 2028, and at that time, David would step down from ARC and join as a member of GNC to fill that vacancy.
  7. Adrian Crompton to be appointed as a member of ARC from 1 July 2026, replacing Tracey Harrison. Adrian would then subsequently step up to Chair ARC from 28 February 2028.
  8. Dave Oakhill to be appointed as a member of ARC from 1 July 2026.
  9. Geoff Layer to be appointed as a member of F&GP from 29 April 2026, replacing Steve Gardiner.
  10. James Cooper to step down from ARC and to be appointed as a member of F&GP from 29 April 2026, replacing Peter Warry.
  11. Paul Minnis to be appointed for a 1-year term as a co-opted member of F&GP with a Property / Estates background.


    C.26.54.3 Resolved: Council: approved the appointments as set out above, and noted the update regarding future recruitment and other terms of office that were due to complete, as outlined in the paper.

    C.26.55 Revised Scheme of Delegations and Key Decision Making (C/34/26)

    C.26.55.1 Noted: that a review of the Scheme of Delegation had been undertaken following the governance framework review approved in November 2025. The review had focused on improving clarity, transparency and navigation by grouping delegations into defined sections. No issues were identified with the existing arrangements, rather the revised document had been updated to align with best practice, relevant legislation and sector learning, and was noted as more accessible and fit for purpose.

    C.26.55.2 Considered: the following:
  12. the importance of the Scheme of Delegation and Key Decision Making and ensuring this was followed when making decisions.
  13. That the review had been comprehensive and robust.
  14. Future development could include using AI to improve accessibility, enabling users to query requirements and be directed to the relevant delegations. This was noted for further consideration.
  15. The revised document was clear, comprehensive and significantly improved understanding of decision-making responsibilities.

C.26.55.3 Resolved: Council: approved the revised Scheme of Delegations and Key Decision Making.

Section B: Starred Items for Approval

C.26.56 CONFIDENTIAL: Appointment of New Internal Audit Service Provider* (C/35/26)
This item was considered under Confidential Business.

Section C: Starred Items for Information

C.26.57 Review of Council Schedule of Business* (C/36/26)

C.26.57.1 Noted: the Schedule of Business.

C.26.58 Minutes from Council Committees*
Noted: that the minutes from the following meetings would be available from https://connectglosac.sharepoint.com/sites/UniversityCommittees:

C.26.59 Any Other Business
Noted: this was the final meeting for three attendees, and thanked them for their contributions:

Date of Next Meeting
Noted: the meeting of Council on Monday and Tuesday 29-30 June 2026 in person at Oxstalls Campus.

RESERVED: Proposal for Changes to Senior Staff
This item was considered under Reserved Business.

Related

https://www.glos.ac.uk/knowledge-base/university-council-minutes-28-april-2026/