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the COURT

MINUTES of the fourth meeting of the 2007/2008 academic year held on Monday, 30th June, 2008, in the Council Room, Queen Anne Court, Greenwich Campus, commencing at 5.30 pm.

Present: Mrs A-M Nelson (in the Chair)

Prof P Ainley Mr P Housden Mr R Baglin Baroness Blackstone

Mr S HowlettMr J R H Loudon

Mr V Choudhary Sir Callum McCarthy Mr S H Davie Mrs M McKinlayMr S Etherington Dr T MeersDr L Garner Dr A S PughMr J C Gould Ms C Rose

In attendance:

Prof T Barnes (Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise))Mrs T A Brighton (Minutes Clerk) Mrs L Cording (Secretary and Registrar)Mr R Daly (Director of Finance) Dr M Noble (Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Quality))Prof D Wills (Deputy Vice-Chancellor)

Apologies for Absence:

Mr J E Brathwaite

07/70 WELCOME

The Chair welcomed Peter Housden to his first meeting.

07/71 DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

In relation to minute 07/81 on quality and standards in universities, John Gould declared a possible conflict of interest through his association with a number of the professional bodies.

the Court: 30 June 2008 page 1

07/72 ITEMS FROM THE CHAIR

72.1 Memorial Service for Lord Holme

The Chair reported that a memorial service for Lord Holme, former Chancellor of the University, was to be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, 15th October 2008 in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. The Vice-Chancellor would be representing the University but anyone else wishing to attend would be welcome.

07/73 PRESENTATION BY PROFESSOR TOM BARNES, PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR (RESEARCH & ENTERPRISE)

The Court received a presentation from Professor Tom Barnes on the University’s research and enterprise activities summarising the reports on research and enterprise which formed part of CRT 07/64 (cf minute 07/78).

The Pro Vice-Chancellor summarised the current organisational arrangements for research and enterprise activities within the University and reported on past successes and future challenges. It was explained that both the levels of revenue from and new contracting for externally sponsored research and enterprise activity had fallen over the last couple of years and in order to reverse these trends a culture change within the University needed to be encouraged to emphasise the importance of the research and enterprise agenda.

He further reported on the steps which had already been taken. Five Business Development Managers would be placed in Schools to work in partnership with Directors of Research and Enterprise. Initiatives to help staff understand that the University is an institution where teaching is informed by research had also been implemented. The Court was pleased to note that these measures were beginning to take effect which could be seen from the slight improvement in new business.

Members asked that the current policy and procedures on intellectual property be reviewed. The Pro Vice-Chancellor advised that he was introducing a new process to safeguard the University’s rights.

The Court thanked the Pro Vice-Chancellor for his presentation.

07/74 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF COURT (CRT 07/61)

Stuart Etherington left the meeting for this item.

It was noted that the appointment of the current Chair, Anne-Marie Nelson, was due to expire on 31 July 2008. The search for her successor had been carried out in accordance with the Selection Procedures for the Chair of Court. The Court noted the recommendation of the Pro Chancellor’s Advisory Group and resolved:

that Stuart Etherington be appointed as Chair of Court for the period 1August 2008 to 31 July 2011.


07/75 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING (CRT 07/62)

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2008 were taken as read and signed as a true record.

07/76 MATTERS ARISING

76.1 Honorary Degrees 2008

The Court noted that Professor Huang DeKuan would be receiving his Honorary Doctor of Education at an awards ceremony to be held on 18 July 2008. A date for conferment of the Honorary Doctor of Education to Dato’ Pahamin Rajeb had yet to be confirmed.

07/77 MEMBERSHIP (CRT 07/63)

The Court:

i noted that Ron Spinney had resigned from membership of the Court effective from 30 June 2008

ii noted that, following a postal ballot, Peter Housden had been appointed as a Member of Court under Article 7(2)(a) for the period from 18 June 2008 to 31 August 2009

iii resolved that, following his election as President of the Students’ Union, Benson Adeeso be appointed to the Court under Article 7(2)(c) for the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009

iv resolved, following a ballot of those Members appointed under Article 7(2)(a),

that:

Steve Davie and Stephen Howlett be transferred to Independent Member status w.e.f. 1 September 2008

Jim Brathwaite be re-appointed as a Member under Article 7(2)(a) for the period 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2011

Stephen Howlett be re-appointed as a Member under Article 7(2)(a) for the period 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2011

v resolved, following a ballot of all Members of Court present except Co-opted Members, that James Barnes, Nick Eastwell and Marianne Hay be appointed as Members of Court under Article 7(2)(d) and that their terms of appointment be determined by the Secretary and Registrar in order to ensure appropriate succession planning


vi noted that a recommendation for the remaining vacancy effective from 1 September 2008 would be submitted by the Nominations Committee to the next meeting.

07/78 STRATEGIC PLANNING: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CORPORATE PLAN (CRT 07/64)

The Court received the following:

i 2007-08 Progress Report on implementation of the Corporate Planii 2007-08 Operating Planiii Key Performance Indicators iv Operating Plan Monitoring Table 2006-2011v Research & Enterprise: Report 2006-07vi Research & Enterprise: Strategy for increasing contracting vii Strategy Committee minutes : meeting held on 10 June 2008

The Chairman of the Strategy Committee reported that the documentation would enable the Court to monitor the performance of the University. The report contained the University’s key targets, strategic objectives and future plans and would help the Court to engage with those targets which had not been met and to support University Officers to attain these targets. He further reported that discussion at the recent Strategy Committee meeting had identified specific challenges facing the University and the minutes recorded the ways in which the University hoped to meet these.

The Court noted a general improvement in the University’s performance but registered concern that student non-completion rates had deteriorated. It was recognised that the non-completion rates would always be higher in institutions that shared the University’s widening participation agenda but any decrease was worrying. The Vice-Chancellor reported that the drop in retention during the past year was disappointing but reassured Members that the long term trend over the past five years indicated a gradual improvement. Measures were in place to identify students who were experiencing difficulties.

The Chair stated that annual monitoring of the University’s performance should continue to be undertaken by Court at its June meeting. It was agreed that similar documentation should be produced for next year’s review.

07/79 EUROPEAN STRATEGY (CRT 07/65)

Introducing the proposed European Strategy, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Quality) reported that it linked closely to the Internationalisation Strategy approved by Court in March 2008.

She reported that the development of the Strategy was consistent with the stated objectives within the Corporate Plan, namely to consider European opportunities and develop partnerships with overseas universities. At present only Greece and Cyprus


were actively targeted by the University for European recruitment. The strategy proposed that the University should initially also target Turkey, the Czech Republic, Poland and the Balkan States. It was planned that European student numbers would grow to 1500 students by 2012/13.

It was noted that there had been widespread agreement amongst the staff consulted about the advantages of greater involvement with Europe. The University planned to focus on four key areas; recruitment, staff and student participation in exchange programmes, collaborative partnerships and curriculum development, and research and enterprise activities. The Court believed that the University was well placed to take advantage of the European markets and therefore endorsed the Strategy for implementation. It was noted that implementation would be monitored by a working group over the next two years and the Court looked forward to receiving an update at the end of that time.

07/80 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

The Vice-Chancellor reported verbally on the following recent developments:

80.1 Quality and Standards in Universities – During a recent debate on the Today Programme the Vice-Chancellor had refuted allegations about the diminution of the quality of degrees and claims that the system of classifications was no longer fit for purpose. She reassured the Court that the University had an effective quality assurance framework in place; external examiners were an important means of quality control and the University’s degree programmes were validated by some 30 or more professional and regulatory bodies.

80.2 NAO Report – Widening Participation in Higher Education – the University had been one of seven institutions selected for an evaluative case visit on widening participation by the National Audit Office. The NAO had concluded that attainment at secondary schools was the principal reason for differentials in participation rates. The University would continue its work to encourage young people from all walks of life to enter into higher education.

80.3 HEFCE Bid : Employer and Learning Partnerships – Consistent with the Corporate Plan, the University intended to bid for HEFCE funding to develop CPD and work based training for employers. HEFCE was keen to encourage universities to be more employer focussed and this initiative would help the University foster closer working links with local employers.

80.4 Bologna-Magna Charter – On behalf of the University, the Vice-Chancellor had been invited to sign the Bologna-Magna Charter to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Bologna, and to celebrate the freedom of academic endeavour within Europe. 500 universities across Europe had already agreed to be signatories but participation in the agreement required Court approval. Court Members endorsed University involvement.

80.5 National Teaching Fellowship – the Court congratulated Tony Mann, Head of Department of Mathematical Sciences within the School of Computing and


Mathematical Sciences, on his recent nomination as a National Teaching Fellow.

80.6 Retirement of Chair of Court – On behalf of the Executive, the Vice-Chancellor thanked Anne-Marie Nelson for her contribution to the work of the University during the past eleven years. The Court would be holding a farewell dinner on 24 July 2008. The Executive looked forward to working with her successor, Stuart Etherington.

07/81 STAFFING COMMITTEE (CRT 07/66)

The Chairman of the Staffing Committee introduced the report to Court outlining items of significance arising from the meeting held on 21 April 2008:

81.1 Framework Agreement for the Modernisation of Pay Structures

It was reported that all support staff had now been informed of their new grade and pay position under the framework agreement and that the agreement had been implemented on 1 May 2008. An appeals process was now under way and it was hoped that all appeals would be resolved quickly. Officers agreed to confirm the number of academic staff appeals to Dr Les Garner.

81.2 Committee Terms of Refer fence

The Court approved amended Terms of Reference for immediate implementation (copy attached at appendix 1).

81.3 Staff Disciplinary Procedure

The Court approved the revised Staff Disciplinary Procedure for immediate adoption.

81.4 Staff Grievance Procedure

The Court approved the revised Staff Grievance Procedure for adoption with immediate effect.

81.5 Leading Health and Safety at Work

The Committee had satisfied itself that the Court was able to demonstrate its commitment to health and safety in a number of ways through the regular reporting procedures. It was noted that the Secretary and Registrar would be looking into the availability of benchmarking information for health and safety activity within the sector.

81.6 Progress Report on Equalities Work

It was noted that the Committee was continuing its work to ensure that the University was meeting its legislative requirements in diversity matters. A new diversity policy was being formulated and would be considered at a future meeting.


07/82 FINANCE COMMITTEE (CRT 07/67)

The Chairman of the Finance Committee introduced the report to Court detailing principal items of significance arising from the meetings of the Committee held on 28 April 2008 and 16 June 2008. The following items were highlighted:

82.1 28 April 2008 meeting

82.1.1 Estate Strategy 2006-2016

It was noted that negotiations were continuing with the London Borough of Greenwich about the acquisition of the car park site at Park Row for the new School of Architecture and Construction building. It was now anticipated that the building would be completed by March 2012.

82.1.2 Post Implementation Review of the Medway School of Pharmacy

The Committee had been pleased to note the success of the Medway School of Pharmacy. The School’s first MPharm students would be graduating in the summer of 2008 and the School had recently received full Royal Pharmaceutical Society accreditation. The initial business plan had been revised in order to increase student numbers and consequently the timescale for achieving a surplus had extended to 2010-2011. On current performance it was anticipated that the School would achieve the surplus by the due date.

82.1.3 University Estate Issues 82.1.3.1 Well Hall Sports Ground

The Committee had considered a proposal to amend the 25 year lease of the Well Hall Sports Ground to the Blackheath Rugby Club. As conditions of the lease had required the Club to construct an all-weather sports pitch by 2015 and the Committee was advised that funding for the project was now available. However, in order to comply with the funding requirement of the RFU, the University would need to waive its rights to break the lease in the period to 2017. On the basis that there was limited financial liability if the break clause was delayed to 2022 and noting that the University would be entitled to use the pitch, the Committee had been satisfied to recommend to Court that the lease be amended by Deed of Variation. The Court noted that, subsequent to the Committee’s meeting, and following the request of the Blackheath Rugby Club that construction start immediately, the Chairman of the Committee had approved the Deed of Variation by Chairman’s action.

82.1.3.2 Additional Accommodation in the Mews Building, Greenwich Campus

The Court resolved that:


i the Head of Estates be authorised to continue lease negotiations for an additional office in the Mews Building, Old Royal Naval College, based on the terms and conditions of the current lease from the Greenwich Foundation

ii delegated authority be granted to the Chair of Court/Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Vice-Chancellor/Secretary and Registrar to sign the new lease.

82.2 16 June 2008 Meeting

82.2.1 Students’ Union Finances

The Committee had been pleased to note that the Students’ Union was predicting that its 2007-2008 year-end outturn would break even. However, the Committee had not felt able to approve the budgetary proposals for 2008-09 on the basis of the suggested level of subvention. The Committee would review the budgetary proposals and agree a subvention for the year at its next meeting when the results of a review of the services and performance of the Students’ Union were known.

82.2.2 Committee Terms of Reference

It was noted that the Committee had been satisfied that its Terms of Reference remained appropriate.

82.2.3 Provisional Budget and 5 Year Financial Forecasts

The Committee had considered in detail the provisional budget for 2008-09. A report on risks, reserves and liquidity together with draft five-year financial forecasts had been provided as contextual background. The Court noted that the Finance Committee would be considering final versions of the five year financial forecasts for submission to HEFCE by December at its next meeting.

The Chairman reported that, as in the previous two years, the budget forecast a surplus of £500K although further savings or additional income still needed to be identified to achieve this. The budget had been formulated against the background of increasing competition for students, a higher salary bill and escalating costs in general. Officers and the Committee alike recognised that the University had a financially tough year ahead of it. The Chairman further reported that, although the Committee believed that the targeted surplus was achievable, it had anticipated that contingency plans would be needed and Officers had been asked to give further thought to more extensive contingency planning in the coming months.

It was also reported that, in recommending the 2008-09 budget proposals to Court, the Committee had been aware that the institutional objective of achieving average annual surpluses of 1% of turnover would not be met. Recognising the financial constraints under which the University would be working during the next twelve months, the Committee had accepted that this particular target was unlikely to be attainable.

The Court resolved to approve the 2008-09 revenue and capital budgets.


82.2.4 London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA)

The Committee had received the LPFA Annual Investment Report for 2006-07. The Committee had been pleased to note that LPFA’s overall performance had improved slightly since it had changed its investment strategy but had asked Officers to obtain more up-to-date information for review at the next meeting.

07/83 AUDIT COMMITTEE (CRT 07/68)

The Chairman introduced the report to Court outlining principal items of significance arising from the meeting held on 19 May 2008. The following issues were noted:

83.1 Terms of Reference

The Committee had reviewed its Terms of Reference and concluded that they remained appropriate and that no changes were necessary.

83.2 Effectiveness Review of the Audit Committee

The Chairman reported that the Committee had examined its effectiveness by completing a self-assessment questionnaire from the Committee of University Chairmen. Those issues on which there seemed to be uncertainty or a difference of opinion amongst Committee Members had been discussed in detail. Overall the Committee had been satisfied that it was effective in meeting its Terms of Reference and that its work on governance, risk management and internal control was effective also. Members had agreed that the exercise had been useful.

83.3 Value for Money

The Committee had spent some time discussing value for money issues. Value for Money Studies on the use of foreign agents for student recruitment and treasury management had been examined. The Vice-Chancellor reported that the University was intending to re-negotiate the level of commission for its agents in a number of countries. There had been some discussion on HEFCE’s intention to widen the arrangements for VfM studies. The precise proposals were still unclear but the Chairman registered some concern that HEFCE’s expectations for value for money evaluation in the future would be beyond the remit of the Committee.

83.4 Institutional Risk Register

The Court received the updated Institutional Risk Register which, following submissions by Schools and Offices arising from their annual reporting and planning documents and the scrutiny of senior management, now listed 17 risks. Difficulties in recruiting students remained the most serious risk facing the University and its residual risk rating had increased to 20. Court asked that Officers review the ratings for Risk 21 – Significant Problems with the Folkestone Initiative – which had been moved to the second position on the Register following the shortfall in enrolments and seemed a little extreme.


The Court approved the Institutional Risk Register as at May 2008.

83.5 HEFCE Assessment of Institutional Risk

The Court noted that HEFCE had now confirmed that the University was not considered to be at higher risk and that it was satisfied that the University was meeting its accountability obligations.

07/84 ACADEMIC COUNCIL (CRT 07/69)

The Court received a report on Items of Academic Significance arising from the meetings of Academic Council held on 23 April 2008 and 4 June 2008 and noted that:

i the report of the Employability Group had been considered and its recommendations endorsed. The Group had been established to help develop student employability and to make recommendations on improving the skills and competences of the student population. Schools would now be pursuing a number of specific actions to help support students in this area such as links with employers and work related learning. A formal Employability Policy was to be drawn up;

ii there had been a small improvement in statistics for the destination of leavers

from the University in the academic year 2006-2007. The numbers of home under-graduate students in either full-time employment or further study had both grown. As outlined above, the University would continue to work towards improving the employability of its students and in this connection it was pleasing to note that the University had been ranked 73rd out of 118 institutions for Career Prospects in the Guardian University Guide for 2009;

iii the arrangements for the introduction of online registration for new students from September 2008 were proceeding to plan; the process was based on that currently in place for the re-registration of continuing students and involved a combination of electronic and face-to-face components. Academic Council would review the arrangements in the new academic session;

iv the Summer University has been a key element of the University’s Widening Participation Scheme since its inception in 2003; 1,411 applications had been received in 2007 and the Council had considered proposals to expand the scheme to provide current students with exam and assessment preparation courses in March 2009.

07/85 STUDENTS’ UNION (CRT 07/70)

The Court considered an overview of the Students’ Union outlining its legal status, its current organisation and its cost to the University.

The President of the Students’ Union was asked to provide details of a NUS Evaluation Initiative of Students’ Unions to the Secretary and Registrar.


07/86 RISK MANAGEMENT (CRT 07/71)

The Court considered a report by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Quality) on Risk 19 on the Institutional Risk Register, defined as “Quality / Accreditation failures in academic portfolio”, assessed as having a residual risk rating of 12. It was noted that the University was subject to a range of quality assurance measures through both internal and external mechanisms. The University’s own arrangements for the quality assurance of its academic provision were set out in the Quality Assurance Handbook which was regularly updated to keep abreast of developments in quality assurance and enhancement. The academic provision was regulated through the external examiner system, through accreditation by professional bodies and through audits visits by the Quality Assurance Agency and OFSTED. The Court was reassured that the controls in place and the clear quality arrangements for academic provision, together with regular debate at University wide and School committees, resulted in a carefully managed and risk averse approach to academic planning and provision.

07/87 REPORT FROM PRO CHANCELLOR’S ADVISORY GROUP

The Court noted the recommendation of the Chair and agreed with enthusiasm that the appointment of Baroness Blackstone as Vice-Chancellor be extended until 31st August 2011.

FORMAL AGENDA

07/88 COURT AND COMMITTEE TIMETABLE 2008-09 (CRT 07/72)

The Court ratified the timetable of Court and Committee dates for 2008/2009 (attached as appendix 2 to these minutes).

07/89 MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS (CRT 07/73)

The Court received Management Accounts for the University of Greenwich for the period to 30 April 2008.


07/90 COURT COMMITTEES (CRT 07/74)

The Court agreed that:

i the current committee structure and membership remain in place until December 2008

ii a review of structure and membership be undertaken for decision in December 2008.

07/91 MINUTES OF MEETINGS

The minutes of the following meetings were received:

i Staffing Committee – 21 April 2008 (CRT 07/75)ii Nominations Committee – 23 April 2008 (CRT 07/76)iii Finance Committee – 28 April 2008 (CRT 07/77)iv Audit Committee – 19 May 2008 (CRT 07/78)v Strategy Committee – 10 June 2008 (contained within CRT 07/64)vi Finance Committee – 16 June 2008 (CRT 07/79)vii Academic Council – 23 April 2008 (CRT 07/80)viii Academic Council – 4 June 2008 (CRT 07/81)

07/92 COURT APPEALS COMMITTEE (CRT 07/82)

The Court noted the outcome of the Court Appeals Committee held on 8th May 2008.

07/93 EXECUTION OF DEEDS (CRT 07/83)

The Court noted:

(i) the signing as a Deed of the following “Group A” documents:

(a) UNDERLEASE of The Prince Philip Anteroom at Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich between The Greenwich Foundation for the Old Royal Naval College and UoG

(b) LICENCE to use part of The Queen Mary Undercroft at Queen Mary Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich between The Greenwich Foundation for The Old Royal Naval College and UoG

(c) BUILDING CONTRACT re Refurbishment & Alterations of the Dome to provide kitchen, dining, gymnasium, toilet and office facilities at Avery Hill Southwood site between UoG and Kingswood Construction (London) Ltd


(ii) the signing as a Deed of the following “Group B” documents:

(a) DEED OF ASSIGNMENT re Japanese Patent Application No 2002-587532 (re Phosphor Binders for EL Panels) from UoG to Brunel University

(b) DEED OF VARIATION re Sports Ground at Kidbrooke Lane, Well Hall, London, SE9 6TE between (1) UoG and (2) Blackheath Football Club Limited

07/94 THANKS

On behalf of the Court, the Chair of Court thanked John Gould, Mary McKinlay and Les Garner whose terms of office were due to expire at the end of August 2008, for their contributions towards the work of the Court, and thanked also all the Chairs of the Court Committees for their assistance during her tenure as Chair of Court.

The meeting ended at 7.50 pm.

T A Brighton17.07.08LC/COURT/2007-2008/minutes\2008 June 30


Appendix 1 to the minutes of the Court meeting held on 30 June 2008

TERMS OF REFERENCE

STAFFING COMMITTEE

Membership

4 Members of Court, including the Vice-Chancellor

Period of Office

The members of the Committee, other than the Vice-Chancellor, shall serve for a period of three years and are eligible for re-election. Membership shall cease on expiry of the members term of office on the University Court.

Meetings

The Committee will meet at least twice per year.

Quorum

One half of those members eligible to attend.

Terms of Reference

1. To consider on behalf of the Court the University’s overall human resources strategy, and report items of significance to Court.

2. To agree key personnel and staff development policies which form part of that strategy.

3. To monitor the effectiveness of the human resources strategy.

4. To receive regular reports on health and safety issues considered at meetings of the University Health and Safety Committee and recommend action as appropriate.

5. To review progress on the implementation of the Diversity plans.

LC/Staffing Committee/Terms of Reference Approved by Court on 30.6.08


Appendix 2 to the minutes of the Court meeting held on 30 June 2008

2008-09 Court and Committee Dates

COMMITTEE TIME DAY DATE

Audit 5.00 pm Monday 29 September 2008

Court 5.30 pm Monday 13 October 2008

Staffing 5.30 pm Monday 27 October 2008

Finance 5.30 pm Monday 3 November 2008

Audit 5.00 pm Monday 10 November 2008

Court 5.30 pm Monday 24 November 2008

Finance 5.30 pm Monday 2 February 2009

Audit 5.00 pm Monday 23 February 2009

Court 5.30 pm Monday 16 March 2009

Staffing 5.30 pm Monday 20 April 2009

Finance 5.30 pm Monday 27 April 2009

Audit 5.00 pm Monday 18 May 2009

Strategy 5.30 pm Monday 1 June 2009

Finance 5.30 pm Monday 15 June 2009

Court 5.30 pm Monday 29 June 2009

Pro-Chancellor’s Advisory Group, Nominations Committee and Remuneration Committee meetings to be arranged as and when necessary.

Term Dates29 September 2008 – 12 December 2008 5 January 2009 – 20 March 200914 April 2009 – 26 June 2009

Bank HolidaysGood Friday – Friday, 10 April 2009Easter Monday – Monday, 13 April 2009 May Day - Monday, 4 May 2009Spring - Monday, 25 May 2009


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