COURT There will be a meeting of the Court held in Room 1005 (behind the Border’s College reception) ,Scottish Borders Campus, on Monday 26 June 2017 from 10.15 am. I append a note of the agenda and enclose the relevant papers. Lunch will be available in the Border’s College Restaurant from around 1.00 pm with the lunch break lasting until 1.55 pm and the Court meeting will resume again at 2.00 pm with an expected end time shortly after 4.00 pm. Bus transport will be provided (leaving the University main entrance at 8.30 am sharp. The bus will leave the Scottish Borders Campus at 4.20 pm with an expected arrival time back at the Edinburgh Campus of 5.50 pm approximately. For those who need it car parking will be available in the main entrance car park at the Scottish Borders Campus. AM Dalton-Pillay, Secretary of the University, June 2017 AGENDA (START 10.15 AM) Item Paper Ref Status 1 FORMAL MATTERS 1.1 Apologies - 1.2 Minutes of the meetings of Court held on 3 March and 19 May 2017 - Encl. 1.3 Declaration of interests - - 1.4 Matters arising - - 4 REPORTS FROM COURT COMMITTEES 4.1 Finance Committee: meetings held on 25 April and 6 June 2017 Four-Year Financial Plan 2017/18 to 2020/21 Management Accounts (third-quarter) (SharePoint) Ct7/17/19 Encl. 5 STRATEGIC MATTERS 5.2 Dubai Campus Project update Oral report - 6 REPORTS 6.3 Court Effectiveness Review 2016/17 Ct7/17/28 Encl. 2 REPORTS FROM THE CHAIR OF COURT AND THE PRINCIPAL 2.1 Remarks from the Chair of Court - - 2.2 Report from the Principal Ct7/17/18 Encl. SCHOOL OF TEXTILES & DESIGN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES VENUE: HIGH MILL BUILDING 12.05 pm until 1.05 pm LUNCH RESUME AT 2.00 PM
Transcript
COURT There will be a meeting of the Court held in Room 1005 (behind the Border’s College reception) ,Scottish Borders Campus, on Monday 26 June 2017 from 10.15 am. I append a note of the agenda and enclose the relevant papers. Lunch will be available in the Border’s College Restaurant from around 1.00 pm with the lunch break lasting until 1.55 pm and the Court meeting will resume again at 2.00 pm with an expected end time shortly after 4.00 pm. Bus transport will be provided (leaving the University main entrance at 8.30 am sharp. The bus will leave the Scottish Borders Campus at 4.20 pm with an expected arrival time back at the Edinburgh Campus of 5.50 pm approximately. For those who need it car parking will be available in the main entrance car park at the Scottish Borders Campus. AM Dalton-Pillay, Secretary of the University, June 2017 AGENDA (START 10.15 AM)
Item Paper Ref Status
1 FORMAL MATTERS
1.1 Apologies -
1.2 Minutes of the meetings of Court held on 3 March and 19 May 2017
- Encl.
1.3 Declaration of interests
- -
1.4 Matters arising
- -
4 REPORTS FROM COURT COMMITTEES
4.1
Finance Committee: meetings held on 25 April and 6 June 2017
2 REPORTS FROM THE CHAIR OF COURT AND THE PRINCIPAL
2.1 Remarks from the Chair of Court - -
2.2 Report from the Principal Ct7/17/18 Encl.
SCHOOL OF TEXTILES & DESIGN RESEARCH ACTIVITIES VENUE: HIGH MILL BUILDING
12.05 pm until 1.05 pm
LUNCH
RESUME AT 2.00 PM
3 DISCUSSION TOPIC
3.1 Developing the student learning environment at Heriot-Watt University
Presentation/ discussion
4 REPORTS FROM COURT COMMITTEES (Continued)
4.2 Staff Committee: meeting held on 8 May 2017 Ct7/17/22 Encl.
4.3 Audit and Risk Committee: meetings held on 27 April and 8 June 2017
Ct7/17/20 Encl.
4.4 Global Student Liaison Committee: meeting held on 31 May 2017
Ct7/17/21 Encl.
4.5
Remuneration Committee: meeting held on 15 May 2017
Global Reward Policy
Senior Salary Review Procedures
Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference
Ct7/17/23
Encl.
4.6 Constitutional Review Group Ct7/17/24 Encl.
4.7 Court Emergency Committee: item of business by correspondence on 5 June 2017 Ct7/17/25 Encl.
5 STRATEGIC MATTERS (Continued)
5.1 Edinburgh City Deal
Ct7/17/26 Encl.
BREAK
6 REPORTS (Continued)
6.1 Report from the Senate: meetings held on 29 March and 17 May 2017 and matter dealt with by correspondence on 19 June 2017
Appointment of Vice-Principal (Malaysia)
Ordinance C1: Election of members from the Schools to the Senate
Ordinance C5: Senate Business Committee
Ordinance P6: Approved Teachers, Tutors and Markers
Ordinance P8: Schools Institutes and Departments of Study
Ct7/17/27 Encl.
6.2 Report from the Student Union President Ct7/17/34 Encl.
6.4
Annual Report to the Scottish Funding Council on Institution-led Quality Review Ct7/17/29 Encl.
7 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 Elected staff members to the Court Ct7/17/33 Encl.
7.2 Court rolling programme of business (as at June 2017) Ct7/17/30 Encl.
7.3 Court dates 2017/18 and 2018/19 Ct7/17/31 Encl.
7.4 Forthcoming events Ct7/17/32 Encl.
8 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Friday 15 September 2017
Minibus departs from Borders Campus 4.20 pm
Estimated arrival time at Edinburgh Campus 5.50 pm
Paper Ref: Ct7/17/24
THE COURT
Date of meeting:
26 June 2017
Presented By:
Ms Morag McNeill, Chair of the Constitutional Review Group
Title/Subject: REPORT FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW GROUP
1. Purpose of the
paper
The purpose of this paper is to provide an update report to the Court on recent work undertaken by the Constitutional Review Group and to invite the Court to consider the range of principles / approaches that should be applied to the various key changes to the University’s constitutional documents and policies to comply with the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016.
2. Summary
In autumn 2016, the Court agreed that the joint Court and Senate Constitutional Review Group should be re-established to review the University’s Charter and Statutes in the light of the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016. The Constitutional Review Group has held three meetings so far: in January, March and June 2017. The Group has considered the wide ranging changes that will be required to be made to the University’s constitutional and policy documents as a result of the Act. The current phase involves drafting work on the Charter and Statutes and consultations as appropriate with relevant stakeholders.
3. Recommendations
The Court is invited to CONSIDER and COMMENT ON the following report and to ENDORSE the approaches proposed. These will be developed further through drafting changes and additions to the University’s Charter, Statutes and Ordinances which will return to the Court in due course for approval, following the appropriate lines of consultation with and approval by other relevant bodies. Court members are invited to provide their responses by Monday 3 July 2017. The Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC) had an opportunity to comment on the approaches proposed at its meeting in April 2017. A copy of the GNC report is included as an appendix to the report. Individual Court members might wish to provide their COMMENTS also on the following matters listed below under 4. ‘Further information’.
4. Further information The Court should note that, at its meeting in March 2017, the CRG received a report which
included Charter and Statutes issues for further consideration which are not directly related to the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act. Further consideration will be given to the issues raised and any likely changes to the Charter and Statutes to be proposed in the light of these. A few of the more significant matters raised thus far include:
1. the Constitutional Review Group has agreed that, in support of the process of review of the Charter and Statutes, a review should be undertaken of delegatory powers: i.e. delegation to the Principal, delegation to the Dubai and Malaysia Campuses, delegation to subsidiary bodies in the HW Group, and other delegatory powers passed from the Court and the Senate, to ensure that the intended delegations are properly contained within the provisions of the Charter and Statutes as worded;
2. whether the provisions relating to a Special Resolution might be extended so that less than fourteen days’ notice might be given for a meeting provided that at least 90% of eligible voting members consent to the meeting being held;
3. whether provisions for an “alternate” alumni elected member of the Court remain appropriate. The Group has consulted with the Watt Club Council on the potential
removal of this provision for reasons of good governance and the Watt Club Council has confirmed its agreement with removal of this provision;
4. whether the description of “full” members of Court Committees / Joint Committees of Court and Senate (as opposed to co-opted lay members) ought to be removed, as this is potentially confusing;
5. whether it would be appropriate to re-introduce provisions in Statute providing for the exclusion of students from designated items of reserved Senate business. At its meeting in June 2017 the Constitutional Review Group agreed that it would not recommend this change. The Group agreed that, as a general rule, no category of member should be treated in a different way and that instances where exclusion might apply will be highly exceptional. The Group noted that there are other ways to manage sensitive situations arising; the Court has established rules in its own Standing Orders; and
6. a suggestion that provision is required to restrict voting rights of non-Senate members on Senate Committees to matters of business which do not relate to the exercise of the powers of the Senate.
5. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
6. Attachments
Appendix 1: (SharePoint posting only) Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016 Appendix 2: (SharePoint posting only) Minutes of the meetings of the Constitutional Review Group held on 24 January and 22 March 2017. Appendix 3: (SharePoint posting only) Minute Report of the GNC meeting held on 4 April 2017.
7. FOI status
The Committee’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University's Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
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HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNANCE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2017:
CHANGES TO CHARTER, STATUTES AND ORDINANCES
1. CHARTER, STATUTES AND ORDINANCES: APPROACHES TO CHANGE
CHARTER/STATUTE REFERENCES
PROPOSED PRINCIPLES / APPROACHES
Charter Article 22, Academic Freedom 22.1. Academic Staff, Staff engaged to
teach, research or provide learning and any other persons defined in Section 26(3) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, and any subsequent statutory provision which replaces it, shall have freedom, subject to the applicable law, to hold and express opinion, to question and test established ideas and received wisdom (1) and to present controversial or unpopular points of view without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or any (2) privileges which they may enjoy at the University, by virtue of such ideas or opinions.
It is proposed to revise the wording of Article 22, Academic Freedom to reflect the new wording introduced by the Act. The Senate endorsed this approach when it considered the matter at its meeting in March 2017. The new wording would read: “Academic Staff, Staff engaged to teach, research or provide learning and any other persons defined in Section 26(3) of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, and any subsequent statutory provision which replaces it, shall have freedom, subject to the applicable law, to hold and express opinion, to question and test established ideas and received wisdom, to develop and advance new ideas or innovative proposals, and to present controversial or unpopular points of view without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs or any entitlements or privileges which they may enjoy at the University, by virtue of such ideas or opinions.”
STATUTE 4: THE COURT
(a) The Court shall consist of the
following persons:
i. up to thirteen external and independent members appointed by the Court in accordance with the recommendation of the standing Committee of the Court charged with responsibility for nominations including the nomination of the Chair of the Court;
ii. one member from the former
Students and alumni of the University elected by the graduates' association of the University;
iii. up to three members of the
Senate elected by the Senate; iv. a Dean elected by the Senate;
It is proposed to draft changes to the Statute along the following lines:
Insert a new i) – an external and independent Chair appointed by the Court (the “senior lay member”).
i) thirteen members will be changed to twelve members.
ii) The Watt Club Council is being consulted on the proposal that instead of an election by the Watt Club of one member, the Court makes the selection and appointment of one member from a list of nominated alumni members by the Watt Club. This change would help to ensure that the skill set of the individual appointed by the Court will best meet the needs of the Court. The Court will advise the Watt Club ahead of the call for nominations of the skills and experience sought. This member would be an
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v. up to three members of Staff
elected by the Staff at least two of whom are not Academic Staff;
vi. the President of the Student
Union (ex officio); vii. one member (ex officio) of the
Executive Committee (or its successor body) of the Student Union nominated by the Student Union;
viii. the Principal (ex officio); and ix. the Vice-Principal (ex officio).
Additional category to be added:- to incorporate two persons appointed by being nominated by the trade unions from among the Staff who are members of a branch of a trade union recognised by the University. One shall be nominated from among the Academic Staff, and one shall be nominated from among the Professional Services Staff. (Include the stipulation on the nominated trade unions which is incorporated in the Act).
external independent member appointed by the Court from within the membership of the graduates’ association. It is proposed that the President of the Watt Club should be a member of the interview panel.
vi and vii will be revised to reflect the requirements of the Act for “2 persons nominated by a students’ association of the institution from among the students of the institution”. The Court-established rules (in the Ordinances) developed in consultation with the Student Union will stipulate nomination by the Student Union Executive Committee and will require that, where practicable, these positions are taken by sabbatical office bearers (who are counted as students in terms of the Act). This would ensure that these members are able to commit the required time to serve on the Court/Court Committees. “Ex Officio” status would therefore no longer apply. The Group also agreed that student members on the Court should be provided with appropriate training support.
Staff and Student electorates for the election to the Chair of Court position:- It is proposed that for the purposes of the Act:
the definition of student should include students who are active or who have been recently active, as confirmed in the University’s return to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). This would count in students studying by distance learning who had been “active” in some way over one year’s worth of examination diets or had purchased courseware in the period indicating intention of activity. (There is no limit of time to complete, e.g. an MBA and no annual registration process – therefore “students” may be held on the student records system with no study contact for possibly many years);
in other respects, the defined student group to form the electorate should as closely as possible mirror the population defined in the annual return of students made to HESA. This takes into account other aspects of student activity – their current status in relation to the studies and the kind of study in which they are engaged; and
the staff group should be defined as those who have a current contract of employment with the University / HW Group.
Maximum number of Court members. The Court previously agreed that a reduction of one each should be made in the Senate and Staff elected member categories to facilitate the
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introduction of two trade union nominated positions. However, the Constitutional Review Group has agreed that the Court should be consulted on its view as to whether the current maximum of 25 Court members might be increased to 27. This would ensure the same level of valuable academic staff input to the Court as there is currently, while adding the two trade union nominated places. (This change would mean there would be 13 staff / student places and 14 independent places (including the appointed alumni member). Court members are invited to comment on this proposal. ( Notes: The committee charged with appointing the Chair shall be different from the one charged with appointing the other independent members. See matter for Court consideration reported in 2.1, below. The trade unions have been invited to propose fair and transparent processes through which the trade union member nominated places will be made. The Constitutional Review Group has agreed that advice should be sought at TU Scottish branch level with the aim to ensure that each of the recognised trade unions are represented in the processes and HWU processes accord with national level advice.
Membership terms i. The members of the Court referred to in paragraph 1 (a) i, ii iii, iv and v of this Statute 4 shall hold office for a period of three years commencing on the date they are appointed and coming to an end on the third anniversary of the 1 August immediately following their date of appointment. Subject to paragraph 1 (e) v and paragraph 4 (b) below, such members shall be eligible for reappointment for up to two further periods of three years.
It is proposed that the term of membership of the Chair of Court should be changed to four years with eligibility to be considered for renewal for a further period of up to four years. (The Scottish Code, states that “the re-appointment of a chair beyond two terms of four years, or the equivalent, should be regarded as exceptional. The wording of the HE Governance (Scotland) Act suggests limitation to a single period of extension past the initial appointment period). It is proposed that the membership periods of other members of the Court (with the exception of student members) remain as it is currently up to a maximum of 3+3+3 years.
STATUTE 5: THE SENATE
1. Composition of the Senate and
terms of office
(a) The Senate shall consist of the
following persons:
i. the Principal (ex officio);
ii. the Vice-Principal (ex officio);
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iii. vice- or deputy principals (as
may be instituted) (ex officio);
iv. any Deans of the University (ex
officio);
v. the Heads of Schools (ex
officio);
vi. chairs of the Senate
Committees who are members
of the Academic Staff (not
already included above) (ex
officio). Chairs of Joint
Committees of the Court and
the Senate shall become
members of the Senate
provided such a person is a
member of the Academic Staff
(ex officio);
vii. the President of the Student
Union (ex officio);
viii. one member of the Executive
Committee (or its successor
body) of the Student Union
nominated by the Executive
Committee of the Student
Union;
ix. the holders of academic posts
to be determined by the Court
on the recommendation of the
Senate as prescribed in the
Ordinances; and
x. such number of elected
members from the Schools as
shall be prescribed in the
Ordinances.
(An additional paragraph will stipulate in accordance the Act that more than 50% of the members of the Senate shall fall within the categories of elected individuals within subsections viii (as revised) and x., and that at least 10% of its members shall fall within the category of elected individuals within subsection viii (as revised)).
vii / viii need to be revised to read persons
appointed by being elected by the students of the
University from among the students of the
University. Ex Officio status will no longer apply
within this group. (The Act requires that such members should make up at least 10% of total Senate membership.)
It is proposed to adopt the proposals
(developed by the Student Union) that:
It will be most practical to draw on the strengths of existing student representation structures. Senate membership will require a significant time commitment and it is not reasonable to expect student members to be able to fully engage if they do not already have the skills and capacity from other representation roles. Where practical, membership places will be filled by sabbatical office bearers.
The mandate to serve potentially on the Senate would be linked directly to the elections by the student bodies at each campus to sabbatical /student representative positions.
Student members shall include the SU President; the Presidents of each of Dubai and Malaysia campuses; the V-P Scottish Borders Campus; the Postgraduate Officer; the Vice-President Community or Vice-President Wellbeing; a second student representative from the Dubai Campus; and a second student representative from the Malaysia Campus.
The Group also agreed that student members on the Senate should be provided with appropriate training support.
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STATUTE 7: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OR MEMBERSHIP
2. Members of the Court
(a) Any member of the Court may be
removed from membership of the
Court if the Court considers that it has
good cause to do so. Provisions for
the removal by the Court of a member
of the Court shall be contained within
the Ordinances.
(b) The removal by the Court of any
member of the Court shall require a
Special Resolution. …
An additional section required to accord with the Act such that the Chair (senior lay member), and all other members of the Court if the resolution is so passed (in HWU case the Special Resolution) must have the right “to seek a review in order to have the resolution reconsidered or quashed.” Changes to the Statute will also reflect the Act stipulation that “the person who is the subject of the resolution does not count in any calculation arising* and the person is not eligible to vote on the resolution.” [*quorum and voting population]
It is proposed that the rules (set by way of an Ordinance) will define the nature of the review, enable the individual to make a deposition to the review committee, and enable the individual to be accompanied or present supporting evidence for their case. Natural justice rules should apply.
3. Members of the Senate
(a) Any member of the Senate may be
removed from membership of the
Senate if the Senate considers that it
has good cause to do so. Provisions
for the removal by the Senate of a
member shall be contained within the
Ordinances.
It is suggested that a similar right to seek a review of a Senate decision to remove a member should be extended to members of the Senate. The Senate will be consulted for its view on this proposal.
SECTION 2: SUPPLEMENTARY CONSIDERATIONS
1. Chair of Court Selection Committee The Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016 (the Act) in Chapter 1, Section3, stipulates that “Whenever a vacancy arises in the position of senior lay member of the governing body of a higher education institution, the governing body must delegate to a committee the responsibility of — (a) devising the relevant criteria with respect to the position, (b) ensuring the efficiency and fairness of the process for filling the position.
A new Ordinance will set out the nature and composition of the committee body established to manage the Chair of Court selection, shortlisting and interview (i.e. all) processes. It is proposed that the Ordinance will describe the committee as being established on an ad-hoc basis as a short-life committee. It is proposed in the Ordinance description to base the composition of the Committee on current policy of the Court (as set out in the Court and Court Committee membership
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The Constitutional Review Group has determined that a new Ordinance will be required which establishes the composition of this committee and how it will operate in the context of the appointment of the Chair of Court. In respect of this section of the Act it will also be necessary to make changes to Statute 4: The Court. According to the Act, The committee mentioned in section 3(1) must ensure that the advertisement for the position of Chair — (a) sets out the functions exercisable by the senior lay member of the governing body, (b) summarises the relevant criteria with respect to the position and states how more information about the relevant criteria can be obtained, (c) explains the process for filling the position, how the application form in relation to the position can be obtained, and that reimbursement is offered of expenses incurred in connection with attending an interview or campaigning in an election for the position, and that remuneration and allowances are available in connection with the holding of the position. The Committee will interview those candidates whose applications appear to show that the applicant meets the relevant criteria. Where the Committee is satisfied that the applicant meets the relevant criteria, that applicant will be entitled to stand for an election. In terms of the Act, the Committee must include within its membership at least one staff member of the University and at least one student member of the University. (Within the definitions of the Act, all references to students includes all persons holding sabbatical office in a students’ association of the institution (whether or not they remain as students of the institution during their period of office). The University’s current policy for appointing the Chair of Court is captured within the Court’s Policy on Court and Court committee membership. This describes the roles of the Governance & Nominations Committee and the panel established to review applications and interview candidates. Allowance is made for the use of a commissioned recruitment consultant.
Policy), or a variation of it. The policy currently states that the composition of the committee responsible for selecting the Chair will include: • the Deputy Chair of Court; • at least two other independent members
of the Court, whose number must not include the incumbent Chair of Court;
• two staff members of the Court, one of whom should be an academic member of staff and one of whom should be a Professional Service member of staff;
• the President of the Student Union or the nominated alternative student member of the Court; and
• the Secretary of the University. In addition the Principal must be invited to sit in attendance at panel meetings, and the Court will have discretion to include a senior and entirely independent assessor individual in the membership of the interview panel. Court members are invited to comment on the above and
a) whether the committee should include an independent (assessor) member from the outset
b) whether the Principal ought to be included in the membership of the committee
c) whether following consideration of the a) and b), the panel should be reduced in overall size through scaling down on other categories of member.
2. Appeals against decisions to remove a member from the Court The Act sets out requirements relating to the removal of the Chair of the governing
It is proposed that an Ordinance will describe the composition of the panel which will consider requests from the Chair of Court / other members of the Court for review against removal decisions.
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body and any other member (Chapter 1, Section 13). The University operates in accordance with these provisions, with the exception that the Act includes provision to allow the person who is the subject of the resolution (for removal), if the resolution is so passed, to seek a review in order to have the resolution reconsidered or quashed. The Act states that the same arrangements need not apply to the Chair position as to other members of the governing body. A decision will need to be taken on this point. Statute 7: Removal from Office or Membership, Part 2 ‘Members of the Court’, states: (a) Any member of the Court may be
removed from membership of the Court if the Court considers that it has good cause to do so. Provisions for the removal by the Court of a member of the Court shall be contained within the Ordinances.
(b) The removal by the Court of any
member of the Court shall require a Special Resolution.
(c) Good cause in paragraphs 1(a) and 2
(a) of this Statute 7 means:
i. conviction for an offence which may be deemed by the Court as appropriate, to be such as to render the person convicted unfit for the execution of the duties of the office or membership; or
ii. failure, through mental or physical incapacity or persistent neglect, to perform properly the duties of his or her office or membership as has become evident to the Court; or
iii. conduct judged by the Court to be such as to constitute failure or inability of the person concerned to perform the duties of his or her office or membership or to comply with the conditions of tenure of his or her office or membership; or
iv. conduct judged by the Court to be such as has or will bring the University's name or reputation and/or the name or reputation of any member of the Heriot-Watt Group into disrepute.
(d) No person shall be removed by the
Court in exercise of the powers conferred in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Statute 7 unless given reasonable
It is proposed that the composition of the panel considering any request from a member shall include at least one individual completely independent of the University. The composition of each panel shall include independent lay members of the Court. It is suggested that the review panel could be small (One member completely independent of the University and two independent Court members - with at least one individual of the three having legal expertise). (Note: other institutions will be contacted to discover what rules they intend to set to cover this provision in the Act. This should help inform the University’s approach). It is proposed to set out in the Ordinance the principles described in the Statute 7 section, above. Court members might wish to suggest any further principles which should apply.
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opportunity of being heard in person by the Court and of questioning the witnesses upon whose evidence the case against him or her was made.
(The Ordinances pertaining to Senate and Staff members of the Court require that no person shall be removed from the court in exercise of the above powers until any applicable disciplinary, removal and/ or grievance procedures have been completed. Currently no Ordinance covers removal of the alumni, student or lay member categories.)
June 2017
Paper Ref: Ct7/17/25
THE COURT
Date of meeting:
26 June 2017
Presented By:
Dame Frances Cairncross, Chair of Court
Title/Subject: REPORT FROM THE EMERGENCY COMMITTEE OF THE COURT
1. Purpose of the
paper
The attached paper includes a minutes report to the Court of a decision taken by the Emergency Committee of Court on 5 June 2017.
2. Summary
The Committee approved by correspondence a proposal to establish a ‘Dubai Non- Executive Advisory Group.
3. Recommendations
The Court is invited to NOTE the report.
4. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
5. FOI status
The Court’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University's Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
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Ct7‐17‐25 Report from the Court Emergency Committee Report
Heriot-Watt University
COURT EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
Minute: Item dealt with by correspondence 5 June 2017
Membership: Dame Frances Cairncross, Chair Ms Tracey Ashworth-Davies, Chair of the Staff Committee Professor Patrick Corbett Professor Julian Jones Ms Jandy Stevenson, Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee Mr Tony Strachan, Deputy Chair of Court Professor Ian Wall, Chair of the Campus Committee
Mr Graham Watson, Chair of the Finance Committee Professor Richard Williams
MINUTE REF
CEC17/02 ESTABLISHMENT OF A DUBAI NON-EXECUTIVE ADVISORY GROUP The Emergency Committee of the Court, by way of correspondence on 5 June 2017, approved the establishment of a Dubai Non-Executive Advisory Group to act in advisory capacity to the Court and as the Court’s liaison body in relation to the Dubai Campus Project. The Committee further agreed that the Advisory Group should comprise the following members of the Court:
Mr Grant Innes
Professor John Perkins
Professor Ian Wall
Mr Graham Watson
The Committee noted that, following negotiation meetings in June 2017, it was planned that Heads of Terms for a new partnership agreement will be agreed by the end of July 2017 with a view to having a formal agreement in place by the end of September 2017.
Signed by Chair ……………………………………….. Date ……………………………………………………..
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THE COURT Ct7-17-30 Rolling Programme of Business Oct 2016 to December 2017 V7 (June 2017) This is a live document for continuing review and update; the agenda topics assigned to meeting dates may therefore be subject to change. The next update of this report will be provided for the September 2017 meeting of the Court.
Regular routine agenda items include:
Declaration of interests
Minutes of the previous meeting
Reports from Court Committees which have met in the preceding period (Audit & Risk, Emergency, Finance, Governance & Nominations, Staff, Global Student Liaison)
Reports: from the Chair, from the Principal, from the Senate, and from the President of the Student Union
Forward Rolling Programme of Business (included under Any Other Business)
Obituaries (when relevant and included under Any Other Business)
Meeting date Key recurring items Other items
October 2016
Report of the Court Effectiveness Review 2016
Report from the Remuneration Committee
EBS Memorandum & A of A / Chair and Interim Chair appointments
Panmure House project
NSS results
Student recruitment update
Financial Regulations
Sustainable Procurement Policy
Capital Investment Plan Dinner topic: Edinburgh Business School (led by Prof. Heather Macgregor) (confirmed)
November 2016 (Strategy Day)
Strategic KPI Review 2015/16.
Annual Report from the Malaysia Campus
League Tables Creating our Future (Principal’s reflections) Social Science Research Stories Dinner topic: Higher Education in Malaysia (led by Prof. Bob Craik and Datuk Hamzah Kassim)
Dinner topic: “ A Strategy For Business Engagement – developing an Entrepreneurial Culture” (led by Dr. Gillian Murray (DP, Enterprise & Business)
May 2017 (Strategy Day)
Research developments and opportunities (led by Prof Garry Pender, DP(Research & Innovation)
Dubai Campus Project update report
The student experience: study space
Annual Report from the Student Union
Articles of Association and Member Agreement: Edinburgh Business School / Heriot-Watt
Four-Year Financial Plan update Dinner topic (TBC): The Dubai Campus (led by Prof. Ammar Kaka)
June 2017 (meeting to be held at Scottish Borders Campus)
Four-Year Financial Plan (for approval and onward presentation to the SFC)
Management Accounts (third quarter) (Sharepoint)
Report from the Remuneration Committee
Report from the Constitutional Review Group (with extended time for consultation)
Annual Report to the SFC on Institution-Led Quality Review
Future Court meeting dates (2018/19)
Charitable Gifts Acceptance Policy Global Reward Policy Senior Salary Review Procedures Edinburgh City Deal Dubai Project update report Court Effectiveness Review 2016/17 Ordinances: C1, C5, P6, P8 Discussion topic: The student experience: learning/study environment A tour will be arranged as part of the SBC visit.
September 2017
Report of the 2017 Court Effectiveness Review
Annual Report to the SFC on Institution-Led Quality Review (formal sign-off)
Report from the Remuneration Committee
Management Accounts (full year)
Annual Report from one of the University’s Campuses
Student recruitment update
To be confirmed. Dinner topic (TBC)
3
Sustainable Procurement Policy
Court Attendance and Participation Policy
Senior Academic Appointments / Promotions (included in Principal’s report).
Options: Student application process / student recruitment Information Services (led by Dir of Information Services)
November 2017 (Strategy Day: Performance and Risk)
Annual performance and risk review (programme to be confirmed)
Risk Appetite Policy / Statement
Pension Schemes performance (Staff Committee May 17)
To be confirmed. Dinner topic: Presentation by Professor Sir Peter Scott, Commissioner on Fair Access.
Annual Report from the Health & Safety Committee / H&S Policy
University Strategic and Operational Risk Registers
Management Accounts (first quarter)
Annual Report of University complaints
Public Interest Disclosure Policy Dinner topic (TBC) Options: Information Services (led by Dir of Information Services) Student application process / student recruitment
To be incorporated:
Charter and Statutes: approved changes to meet compliance with Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016
New / revised Ordinance approvals
Assurance Mapping: Committee Terms of Reference / updated Court Statement of Primary Responsibility approvals
Reports from the Chairs of HWU wholly owned subsidiaries
The Chair has suggested a refined list of Edinburgh City Vision suggestions for review at a Strategy Day.)
Report date: 16 June 2017
Paper Ref: Ct7/17/31
THE COURT
Date of meeting:
26 June 2017
Presented By:
Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay, Secretary of the University
Title/Subject: COURT MEETING DATES: 2017/18 and 2018/19
1. Purpose of the
paper
The purpose of this paper is to propose the dates of Court meetings in 2018/19 for Court consideration and approval. The previously agreed 2017/18 dates are provided as a reminder for members.
2. Summary
The list of proposed dates for 2018/19 is based on the pattern of 2017/18 dates which was agreed by the Court following a recommendation made in the 2015/16 Court Effectiveness Review. This had the effect of reducing the larger gaps between meetings in the year, i.e. the period over the summer months and the period following the December Court meeting. Further information is provided to Court members. This includes a reminder of the key items of business scheduled against particular Court meeting dates and information gathered from other Scottish universities about the frequency of their governing body and key governing body committee meetings (Appendix 1).
3. Recommendations The Court is invited to CONSIDER and AGREE the following schedule of dates for Court meetings:
Friday 14 September 2018*
Friday 9 November 2018 (Strategy Day)*
Friday 14 December 2018*
Friday 22 February 2019*
Friday 17 May 2019 (Strategy Day)*
Monday 24 June 2019**
Normal meeting start time 9.30 am. *Court dinner evening before (6.00 pm for 6.30 pm) ** Extended Court lunch on same date Court members are reminded that an additional meeting of the Court or a meeting of the Court Emergency Committee might be called at any time in the year to meet an urgent or important business need which arises.
4. Next steps
Following Court approval, steps will be taken to schedule Court committee meeting dates for 2018/19 for approval by the respective committees at their first meetings in the 2017/18 session.
5. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
6. Attachments Appendix 1: Survey of Scottish HEI schedules of governing body / committee meetings.
7. FOI status
The Court’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University’s Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
1
COURT MEETING DATES 2017/18 AND 2018/19
Court meeting dates in 2017/18 (as agreed by the Court in 2016) are:
Friday 15 September 2017* (Court committees meet in August)
Friday 10 November 2017 (Strategy Day)*
Friday 15 December 2017* (Court committees meet in November)
Friday 23 February 2018* (Court committees meet in January / early February)
Friday 18 May 2018 (Strategy Day)*
Monday 25 June 2018** (Court committees meet in May / early June) Normal meeting start time 9.30 am. *Court dinner evening before (6.00 pm for 6.30 pm) ** Extended Court lunch on same date (timing to be confirmed) Court meeting dates proposed for 2018/19 (following the pattern of the 2017/18 schedule) are:
Friday 14 September 2018*
Friday 9 November 2018 (Strategy Day)*
Friday 14 December 2018*
Friday 22 February 2019*
Friday 17 May 2019 (Strategy Day)*
Monday 24 June 2019** Normal meeting start time 9.30 am. *Court dinner evening before (6.00 pm for 6.30 pm) ** Extended Court lunch on same date (timing to be confirmed) The Court is invited to consider the above dates and agree the schedule of dates for 2018/19, following which dates for Court committee meetings will be proposed. Information is provided below about key reporting items in the year and their alignment to the Court schedule of meetings. The annual schedule of business enables the Court to discharge all of its primary responsibilities. Further information is provided in Appendix 1 to this paper which reports on the outcomes of research on the frequency of meetings governing body and governing body committee meetings more widely across the Scottish sector.
Meeting date Key recurring reports / matters considered
September meeting Annual Report from the University Health & Safety Committee and Health & Safety Statement approval Annual Report to the Scottish Funding Council on Institution-led Quality Review approval
November (Strategy Day) Performance and risk review
December meeting Annual Report and Financial Statements Annual Report from the Audit & Risk Committee Annual report from the Internal Auditor Internal Audit Forward Plan
2
University Strategic and Operational Risk Register Annual Report of University Complaints
February meeting Four-Year Financial Plan: Planning Envelopes
May (Strategy Day) Topical strategic matters Draft Four-Year Financial Plan Annual Report from the Student Union
West of Scotland 4* Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable
* where a single figure is
included in this column this
relates to the indicated
number of business meetings.
It is not known whether any
additional 'Away Days' are
held.
Survey of Scottish HEI annual schedules of governing body and committee meetings
Information published on institutional web-pages
1. Purpose of the
paper
To provide the Court with a note of forthcoming events which they may be interested to attend. This information is also provided to members via email by the Secretariat.
2. Summary
Members are reminded that information about University events can be found at https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/events.htm Graduations:
- 16 June 2017 – Borders Campus - 20-23 June 2017 – Edinburgh Campus - 16-17 November 2017 – Edinburgh Campus
Robotics and Interaction Lab Open Day Wednesday 21 June 2017 10am – 5pm Earl Mountbatten Building, Room 1.02, Edinburgh Campus Join the joint open day between the two labs at Heriot Watt University – Robotics and Interaction. The open day will feature two key note speakers and PhD students, presenting plans or results of their research. Natural Selection Brewing Launch Thursday 29 June 2017 – Friday 30 June 2017 Four Heriot-Watt students are launching Natural Selection Brewing’s most recent creation, Common ancestor, at OX184 on Edinburgh’s Cowgate. Tickets can be purchased at the Stewart Brewing website, either just for the tasting at 7.30pm, or for the talk at 6.30pm by a guest speaker and beer journalist Roger Protz. Inchcolm New Music Ensemble 30 June 2017, Iona Abbey. The Inchcolm New Music Ensemble will perform new music at Iona Abbey. Inchcolm New Music Ensemble 1 July 2017, St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. The Inchcolm New Music Ensemble will perform new music at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
3. Recommendations The Court is invited to NOTE the report.
4. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment Status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
5. FOI Status The Court’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University’s Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
Paper Ref: Ct7/17/32
THE COURT
Date of meeting:
26 June 2017
Presented By:
Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay, Secretary of the University
Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay, Secretary of the University
Title/Subject: APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED STAFF MEMBERS TO THE COURT
1. Purpose of the
paper
The purpose of this paper is to report to the Court on the outcomes of 2017 staff election to the Court and to seek Court endorsement for two new appointments.
2. Summary
The Court is invited to note that an election was held in May 2017 for Court members in the category of members of staff elected by the staff of the University. The following two candidates were elected by the staff to fill two vacancies arising from 1 August 2017 following the departures of Ms Jane Queenan and Ms Pamela Calabrese:
Dr Amanda Lyness, Team Leader, Student Support, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (Professional Service appointment)
Dr Gillian Menzies, Associate Professor / Senior Director of Studies for Multi-Campus Architectural Engineering, School of Energy, Geosciences, Infrastructure and Society (Academic appointment)
3. Recommendations
The Court is invited to ENDORSE the appointment to the Court of the above two staff members elected by the Staff from 1 August 2017 for a period of three years until 31 July 2020.
4. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
5. FOI status
The Court’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University's Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
Paper date: Version number:
Paper Ref: Ct7/17/34
THE COURT
Date of meeting:
26 June 2017
Presented By:
Diarmuid Cowan, President of the Student Union
Title/Subject: REPORT FROM THE STUDENT UNION
1. Purpose of the
paper
To provide the Court with an update from the Student Union on current and forthcoming activity.
2. Summary
The report provides a summary of the Student Union’s planning for the 2017/18 year ahead. Each of the Sabbatical Officers is taking forward projects to improve the student experience, with the new Officers also settling in after taking office on 1 June 2017.
3. Recommendations
The Court is invited to NOTE the report.
4. Equality and Privacy Impact Assessment status
Neither Equality nor Privacy Impact Assessment is applicable.
5. FOI status
The Court’s records (agenda, papers and minutes) are included in the University's Freedom of Information Publication Scheme. This paper is included in open business. All parts of the paper are disclosable under Freedom of Information.
President’s Report to Court
The 2017/18 Officers took up Office on 1 June and they are settling in really well. The
sabbatical officers are currently planning the year ahead and we are really excited for what
the year holds.
Jay Clifford, VP Community and Lucy Graham, VP Scottish Borders Campus are working on a
plan to link the Scottish Borders Campus even closer to the Union’s activities over the year
ahead and we also hope to build upon our links with the sports union. Freshers Week is
shaping up well, and we think it could be one of our most successful Freshers Weeks ever.
Aashna Bakshi, VP Wellbeing has been working on the Handbook for Personal Tutors
throughout the University, helping provide useful advice and information on liberation
groups and mental health. This will help support Personal Tutors, and by extension our
students, by raising awareness of these key issues and ensuring signposting is correct for our
students.
Lucy Graham is planning the Scottish Borders Campus’ Freshers Week and we are planning a
tie‐in night event for all of our Freshers in Edinburgh and Galashiels. Lucy is also working on
building the student network in Galashiels and planning events for the Thread student space
to help students make it their own.
I am carrying out some national work with NUS Scotland. There will be a conference of all
Higher Education Presidents across Scotland, including those outside NUS, to work together
on issues that affect all students in the sector.
Graduations are going well so far. At the time of writing the graduations have not yet taken
place in Oriam but we hope it went well. We understand one of the trade unions is
protesting and gathering signatures for a petition to the university. We do not support this
particular action as this will negatively impact the students in what will likely be their only
graduation ceremony.
The Galashiels Showcase was great, with work exhibited by one outgoing officer, Emily
Conning, and one incoming sabbatical officer, Lucy Graham. The whole event was fantastic.
The Student Shop will be refurbished over the summer. This will improve this key student
service and will be in line with the university’s investment along the same stretch of
corridor.
Diarmuid Cowan
Student President 16/17 & 17/18
Ct7 26 June 2017
1
COURT
Minutes
In the Chair: Dame Frances Cairncross Date of Meeting: 26 June 2017 Present also: Ms Aashna Bakshi Ms Jane Queenan Professor Patrick Corbett Ms Dorothy Shepherd Mr Diarmuid Cowan Mr Tom Stenhouse Ms Trish Gray Ms Jandy Stevenson Dr Amos Haniff Mr Tony Strachan Mr Grant Innes Professor Ian Wall Professor Julian Jones Mr Graham Watson Ms Morag McNeill Ms Rio Watt Professor John Perkins Professor Richard Williams Officer in attendance:
Ms Ann Marie Dalton-Pillay Professor Gill Hogg Mr Andrew Menzies (via Skype)
Dr Gillian Murray Professor John Sawkins
Others in attendance: Ms Ruth Moir (for item M17/91) (by
Skype) Ms Lorna Kirkwood-Smith (minutes)
M17/85 WELCOME
The Chair welcomed the following:
Ms Aashna Bakshi, who was attending her first meeting of the Court since being appointed as the Student Union Vice-President (Wellbeing);
Mr Andrew Menzies, who joined the meeting via Skype; and
Ms Ruth Moir, who joined the meeting via Skype for discussion on item M17/91.
M17/86 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from the following members: Ms Tracey Ashworth-Davies; Ms Lucy Conan; Mr Andrew Milligan; Professor Isabelle Perez; and Professor James Ritchie, and from the following who were invited to be in attendance at the meeting: Professor Bob Craik; Professor Ammar Kaka; Professor Garry Pender; and Ms Sue Collier.
M17/87 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The Court approved as an accurate record the minutes of the meetings held on 3 March 2017 and 19 May 2017, subject to the following changes: inclusion of Mr Graham Watson in the list of members present at the 3 March meeting; correction of the date of the Finance Committee meeting referred to on page four of the 19 May minutes; and correction of a few minor typos in the minutes which had been identified by the Deputy Chair of Court.
M17/88 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
The Chair of Court invited declarations of interest. No declarations were received.
M17/89 MATTERS ARISING
89.1 Consultation on the revised Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance The Secretary of the University thanked those Court members who had contributed comments to help form the University’s response to the public consultation on the draft revised Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance. A submission had been made via Universities
Ct7 26 June 2017
2
Scotland by the deadline date of 21 June 2017. In the internal consultation with the Senate, no comments on the draft revised Scottish Code had been received from Senate members. The Deputy Chair of Court reported that the review group responsible for work on the Scottish Code would have a first meeting on 27 June to consider responses to the public consultation.
89.2 Governors’ Liability Insurance The Secretary of the University encouraged Court members, who had not already done so, to submit statements in response to the recent call in relation to Governors’ Liability Insurance. Responses should be made by 26 June 2017, including confirmed “nil” returns.
89.3 EU citizen / international staff The Principal reported that the position of EU citizens currently resident in the UK remained uncertain, although there had been some recent indications of intent from the UK government. The University remained committed to providing support to EU staff members of the University. As reported in the Principal’s June 2017 report to the Court, the University had made, and would continue to make, provisions to support its international colleagues; in this respect support had been provided also by the Westwood Organisation.
M17/90 REPORT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE (Paper Ct7/17/19)
The Court received a report from the Finance Committee, presented by the Committee Chair, which related to the meetings of the Committee held on 25 April and 6 June 2017. The Four-Year Financial Plan 2017 to 2021 was presented for approval; all other items were presented for information, including the Management Accounts with the Group Financial Dashboard for the period to 30 April 2017 (third-quarter).
90.2 Reserved section (Ref Sections 30, 33 FOI(S)A.) The Court approved the Four-Year Financial Plan 2017/18 to 2020/21 for onward submission to the Scottish Funding Council by the end of June 2017. The Court agreed the new Strategic Plan from 2018/19 should be a focus of discussion at the meeting of the Court in September 2017.
The Court received and noted the report of the 2016/17 Court Effectiveness Review which was presented by the Deputy Chair of Court. It was noted that a detailed discussion of the outcomes would be considered by the Governance & Nominations Committee prior to a fuller discussion taking place at the Court in September 2017. It had been intended at the June Court meeting to flag the key issues emerging from the review, providing Court members who had contributed to the survey with an early report of the outcomes. The Deputy Chair confirmed that the report was informed by the quantitative outcome of the Effectiveness Review survey and by interviews that he had conducted with every Court member. The Deputy Chair of Court summarised the key findings as reported in the paper presented to the Court and confirmed that changes were already under way in relation to a few matters reported. In other respects work remained to be done, for example, through further discussion with the Principal and the Secretary of the University, to consider ways in which the link between Court discussions and the University’s vision and strategy can be made clearer. This should include clarification on the relationship between and the sequential placing of the Four-Year Financial Plan and the new Strategic Plan from 2018 onwards. Developments should
Ct7 26 June 2017
3
also be explored which help to promote open exchange of views from across the whole Court membership. The Chair of Court asked that an updated report be presented for consideration at the meeting of the Court in September 2017. No points were raised at the meeting and it was agreed that, should Court members wish to raise any points, these should be directed to the Deputy Chair of Court within the next short period.
M17/93 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR OF COURT (Oral report)
The Chair of Court thanked Court members who had participated in one or more of the University’s summer graduation ceremonies. The Chair and a recently graduated member of the Court also relayed thanks on behalf of the Court to all staff members who had contributed to the success of the recent graduation ceremonies, most especially staff in the Academic Registry and in the Oriam Centre.
M17/94 REPORT FROM THE PRINCIPAL (Paper Ct7/17/18)
The Court received and noted a report presented by the Principal who summarised key topical items of news included in his report.
The Principal reported also on the recently announced national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) results in which Heriot-Watt University had been awarded a ‘Silver’ rating in relation to its teaching. The Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching) confirmed that the rating would remain in place for a period of three years. The Deputy Principal confirmed the view that it had been right for the University to take the decision to be included in the 2017 TEF review and submit itself to the rigour of the TEF process. He explained that institutions that had achieved a ‘Gold’ rating were those who demonstrated not only strategic intent in relation to their learning and teaching and the learning and learning and teaching environment, but who had been able to demonstrate impact in terms of resources committed and outcomes achieved. While Heriot-Watt had been able to demonstrate clearly the former, in terms of ‘Gold’ rating criteria, it presented an insufficiently strong case in relation to the latter. This was largely a reflection of the past pattern of investments directed at the student learning and teaching environment. The University was in the midst of a continuing programme of such investments; however, this followed a period when investments had been comparatively limited.
M17/95 DEVELOPING THE STUDENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY (Oral report)
The Court received and discussed a presentation given by the Head of Academic and Learner Services and Co-interim Director of Information Services and the Deputy Principal (Learning and Teaching) on the topic of ‘Developing the Student Learning Environment at Heriot-Watt University’. The Court noted in the report:
how the University was enhancing the virtual and physical environments supporting the student learning experience;
how intent and impact measures contributed to TEF ratings;
the physical developments, completed, under way or planned at the Edinburgh Campus;
the changing nature of library provision in the 21st century and what this means for the Edinburgh Campus Library. The challenges to be met related to the capacity of the library, changing and varying needs of students in relation to support for both individual and group study modes, and supporting IT and other facilities;
the transition from paper-based to electronic learning resources;
the development of the vision and implementation plans for student learning/study spaces;
Learning Commons developments, the full study hub development in the James Watt Centre under way over the summer of 2017, and the planned investment of £6 million in the
Ct7 26 June 2017
4
Cameron Smail Library building over the next two years (planned with minimal disruption to services). This work would proceed over five phases from June 2017 to June 2019 creating a new total of more than 1,000 library study seats; and
leading developments at other universities as points of reference. In response to questions raised from Court members it was confirmed that:
at the end of the next two year period, the study space provision in the Edinburgh Campus Library would be sufficient to meet demand; however, the need for yet more provision, will depend on any substantial additional growth in student numbers. It was noted that the Research & Innovation Centre project also incorporated plans for managed student study space. The Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching) and the Secretary of the University emphasised that the developments in student learning and study spaces should be viewed as part of a continuing process of review of student need and investment provision at each of the University’s campuses;
the University had established an e-book preference policy which was implemented wherever possible. This had helped to reduce shelf space requirements substantially although not all academic volumes were available in digital format and alternative digital format volumes might not be suitable; and
the matter of modern methods of teaching delivery was also an important area for continuing consideration, whether this includes online delivery to multi-locations, or the potential for live broadcasting to large student cohorts across campuses.
The Student Union Vice-President (Wellbeing) highlighted the potential for unutilised space at the Dubai Campus to be considered in the future for use as student study space. The Chair of Court reported her view that investment in student learning/study spaces was an institutional development area which had fundraising potential.
M17/96 REPORT FROM THE STAFF COMMITTEE (Paper Ct7/17/22)
The Court received a report from the Staff Committee which related to the meeting of the Committee held on 8 May 2017. In the absence of the Chair of the Committee the report was presented by Mr Grant Innes who summarised the key items considered by the Committee. All items were presented for information.
M17/97 REPORT FROM THE AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE (Paper Ct7/17/20)
The Court received and noted a report from the Audit and Risk Committee which related to the meetings of the Committee held on 27 April and 8 June 2017. The Chair of the Committee drew attention in particular to the Committee’s discussion at its April meeting on the process and proposed timetable for the preparation of the 2016/17 Annual Accounts and Financial Statements. A particular difficulty in the 2015/16 Accounts preparation had been associated with implementation of the FRS102 reporting standard and the External Auditors had made a number of recommendations to enhance processes in the production of the Annual Accounts to meet the new standards. Following an interim audit in early April, the External Auditors had reported that they had not been able to cover all aspects of the interim audit work as a number of processes were still being updated. The Auditor had expressed concern that progress had been slower than they had hoped for. Subsequently, at the June meeting, the Auditors had confirmed that they were happier with the progress that had been made to date. The Auditors had confirmed that there would be no interim management report for the year ending 31 July and that embedding of FRS 102 into day-to-day operations, including resolving research accounting practice, would be considered by the Auditors once the relevant changes to processes and structures in the Finance Directorate had been made. FRS102 required a range of modifications to be made and in some areas the ways in which information is captured and recorded within University system required fundamental change.
Ct7 26 June 2017
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The Court noted its expectation that the timetable for production of the 2016/17 Annual Accounts will be met and that the Finance Committee, and the Court at its meeting in September 2017, should receive assurance that work is on track to ensure this.
97.1 Charitable Gifts Acceptance Policy The Court noted that the Charitable Gifts Acceptance Policy remained to be completed to incorporate the changes recommended by the Committee. The Chair of Court asked that disappointment that the Policy had not been presented to the Court at its June meeting should be relayed appropriately, while noting that arrangements will be made to present the Policy to the Court at its meeting in September 2017.
M17/98 REPORT FROM THE GLOBAL STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE (Paper Ct7/17/21)
The Court received a report from the Global Student Liaison Committee which related to the meeting of the Committee held on 31 May 2017. The Chair of the Committee, with input from the President of the Student Union, summarised the key items considered by the Committee and the matter of mental health support for students which would be discussed by the Committee at its meeting in October 2017. All items in the report were presented for information.
M17/99 REPORT FROM THE REMUNERATION COMMITTEE (Paper Ct7/17/23)
The Court received a report from the Remuneration Committee which related to the meeting of the Committee held on 15 May 2017.
99.1 Global Reward Policy and Senior Salary Review Procedures On the recommendation of the Committee the Court approved an updated Global Reward Policy and Senior Salary Review Procedures, noting that the Policy and Procedures would inform the preparation of recommendations for the remuneration of senior staff which the Committee would consider in autumn 2017. In response to a point raised by a member about the scenario of a substantial change in a senior officer salary identified within the accounts, it was noted that there were expectations, set out within the Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance and elsewhere, of transparency and notes of explanation of such changes.
99.2 Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference The Court approved proposed minor amendments to the Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference.
M17/100 REPORT FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW GROUP (Paper Ct7/17/24)
The Court received and noted a report from the Constitutional Review Group which was presented by the Chair of the Group. Court members were invited by 3 July 2017 to provide their comments on a range of principles and approaches which were proposed in relation to changes to be made to the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances to comply with the Scottish Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016. The Chair of the Group reported that, wherever it is practical to do so, changes will be made at Ordinances level rather than at the level of the Charter and Statutes. The Court noted also that the revised Scottish Code, as it stands currently, would not give rise to any necessary changes to the Charter and Statutes. The Chair of the Group drew attention in particular to the suggestion that the Court might re-consider whether the size of its membership should be restricted to 25 members. There was an option to consider an increase in membership to 27, enabling the two new trade union
Ct7 26 June 2017
6
membership places to be added without causing a reduction within the current categories of membership although, in the context of Scottish Code requirements, any increase in the membership would need to be fully justified. In relation to development of rules governing the nomination of two trade union members to the Court, the Secretary of the University confirmed that a meeting would be sought with local trade union representatives as a group to make further progress on this.
M17/101 REPORT FROM THE EMERGENCY COMMITTEE OF COURT (Paper Ct7/17/25)
The Court received a report from the Emergency Committee of the Court which relayed a decision taken by the Committee on 5 June 2017. The Court noted that the Committee had approved the establishment of the Dubai Non-Executive Advisory Group to act in advisory capacity to the Court and as the Court’s liaison body in relation to the Dubai Campus Project. The Committee had agreed that the Advisory Group should include the following members: Mr Grant Innes (Chair); Professor John Perkins; Professor Ian Wall; and Mr Graham Watson.
M17/102 EDINBURGH AND SOUTH EAST SCOTLAND CITY REGION DEAL (Paper Ct7/17/26)
The Court received and discussed an update report on the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (City Deal) which was presented by the Deputy Principal (Staff Development and Engagement). Reserved section (Ref: Sections 30, 33, FOI(S)A).
M17/103 REPORT FROM THE SENATE (Paper Ct7/17/27)
The Court received and noted a report from the Senate which related to Senate meetings held on 29 March and 17 May 2017 together with an item of business conducted on 19 June 2017.
103.1 Appointment of Provost and Vice-Principal (Malaysia) On the recommendation of the Senate, the Court approved the appointment of Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, as Provost and Vice-Principal (Malaysia), for a period of five years from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2022.
103.2 Modifications to and rescinding of Ordinances On the recommendation of the Senate, the Court approved proposed modifications to the following Ordinances:
Ordinance C1: Election of Members from the Schools to the Senate;
Ordinance P6: Approved Teachers, Tutors, and Markers; and
Ordinance P8: Schools, Institutes, and Departments of Study and approved the recommendation that the following Ordinance should be rescinded with a view to enabling disestablishment of the Senate Business Committee and the establishment of a new body, ‘The Senate Committee for Interim Business and Effectiveness’:
Ordinance C5: Senate Business Committee.
103.3
Other matters reported The Court noted other matters which were reported by the Senate for information.
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M17/104 REPORT FROM THE STUDENT UNION PRESIDENT (Paper Ct7/17/34)
The Court received and noted update report on current and forthcoming activities in the Student Union which was presented by the President of the Student Union. The President summarised the main activities as reported. In relation to the report on the summer graduation ceremonies, the Deputy Chair of Court relayed congratulations to the student officers for the impressive quality of the presentations they delivered at the ceremonies.
M17/105
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SCOTTISH FUNDING COUNCIL ON INSTITUTION-LED QUALITY REVIEW (Paper Ct7/17/29)
The Court received and noted a draft copy of the annual report to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) on Institution-Led Quality Review activities in 2016/17, which was presented by the Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching). The Court noted that, following consideration and approval by the relevant executive committees, the report would be presented to the Court for approval and sign-off by the Chair of Court at its meeting in September 2017, prior to being submitted to the SFC. Court members were invited to provide any comments they might wish to make on the report to the Deputy Principal (Learning & Teaching) by 3 July 2017.
M17/106 ELECTED STAFF MEMBERS TO THE COURT
The Court noted a report from the Secretary of the University confirming the outcome of the May 2017 election to membership of the Court in the category of staff members elected by the staff of the University. The Court endorsed the appointment of the following, each appointment to be made for a period of three years from 1 August 2017 until 31 July 2020:
Dr Amanda Lyness, Team Leader, Student Support, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (Professional Service appointment); and
Dr Gillian Menzies, Associate Professor / Senior Director of Studies for Multi-Campus Architectural Engineering, School of Energy, Geosciences, Infrastructure and Society (Academic appointment)
M17/107 COURT ROLLING PROGRAMME OF BUSINESS (AS AT JUNE 2017) (Paper Ct7/17/30)
The Court received and noted a summary report, as at June 2017, of the Court’s rolling programme of business for 2016/17 through until the end of the current calendar year. Members were reminded that proposals for additions and changes from members to this live document would be welcomed at any time. The Secretary of the University confirmed that discussion on the new Strategic Plan at the Court meeting in September 2017 will be factored into the forward agenda plan.
M17/108 COURT DATES 2017/18 AND 2018/19 (Paper Ct7/17/31)
The Court received and noted a proposed schedule of Court meetings for 2018/19 which was presented by the Secretary of the University together with information on schedules of Court and key Court Committees which had been drawn from information published by other Scottish universities. The Chair asked that further discussions be undertaken over the summer period to determine whether an additional business meeting of the Court should be included in the annual schedule and how and when time should be made available for the Court to engage in more strategic discussions. Practical suggestions on how to use Court Dinner Meeting time more effectively should also be considered.
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It was noted that the Governance & Nominations Committee and the Court should consider a proposed schedule at their next meetings. In the meantime Court members were asked to provide any comments they might have on the schedule over the next few weeks and in so doing bear in mind the outcomes of the 2017 Court Effectiveness Review.
M17/109 FORTHCOMING EVENTS (Paper Ct7/17/32)
The Court noted a report of forthcoming University events of potential interest to Court members which was presented by the Secretary of the University.
M17/110 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
110.1 Departing members The Chair of Court conveyed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Court for the valuable contributions to the work of the Court made by Ms Trish Gray and Ms Jane Queenan, who were attending their last meeting of the Court before reaching the end of their terms of membership on 31 July 2017.
110.2 Action points The Chair asked the clerk to circulate a reminder to Court members of all the current action points and invitations to Court members together with the relevant deadline dates.
M17/111 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Friday 15 September 2017. Date: ………………………………………………. Signature: ………………………………………….
