Board of Governors’ meetings summary

 

Summary of the business and decisions from the Board of Governors’ meetings on 19 September, 31 October and 28 November 2013.

The Board of Governors met on 19 September, 31 October and 28 November 2013. This is a summary of business conducted and decisions made at the meetings:

• The Vice Chancellor provided regular updates on developments in Government policy and its thinking in terms of Higher Education, and on topical issues at Lincoln, including key staff appointments. The Board received an update on the admissions process for 2013/14 entry and was apprised of early trend indications in the recruitment cycle for 2014/15.  The VC reported on the Student Producers and Student Engagement initiatives; developments in respect of educational partnerships; and the shortlisting of the University for the ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ as part of the Times Higher Education Awards, recognised as a celebration of excellence across the UK higher education sector.
• The Board received a report on the outcome of the 2013 National Student Survey and the work being undertaken across the institution to respond to issues raised in the survey.
• The Registrar presented the Annual Health and Safety Report.
• The President of the Students’ Union presented a report to Governors, outlining the various challenging new KPIs in the ULSU Strategic Plan 2013-16, which was designed to enhance SU performance across a number of diverse areas. ULSU’s vision was to be a Students’ Union where every student had a great experience and was encouraged and assisted to achieve their potential both at University and in life. Mr Sam’s presentation outlined current major projects; the role of course representatives; elections, campaigning and democracy; community engagement and community-based volunteering by students; SU welfare services; communications; activities and events. Governors commended the SU on the quality of Students’ Union Strategic Plan and the 2012/13 Impact Report.
• The Board approved revised Articles of Association of the Students’ Union, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Education Act 1994.
• Governors noted the Registrar’s report on the complexities of matching student accommodation space with application numbers received from the different categories of students, and how existing systems to plan and allocate accommodation both on and off-campus might be revised.
• The Board received and discussed presentations from the Head of the College of Social Science and the Head of the School of Pharmacy on how health subjects and strategic partnerships with stakeholders were developing within the Colleges of Science  and Social Science, explaining how deeper and broader partnerships with Lincolnshire healthcare providers would strengthen the University’s ties with the local community.
• The Director of Estates and Commercial Facilities updated Governors on progress with current capital projects and future strategic plans and potential acquisitions, noting that the summer of 2013 had seen an unprecedented level of construction and refurbishment activity across the Brayford campus, representing a major campus upgrade for 2013/2014. Governors noted that the Art and Design Building was now fully operational aside from a few snagging issues, and that landscaping work in the area between the Library and the Architecture Building was also complete. Negotiations had continued with Network Rail regarding the proposed footbridge over the railway line. New hard and soft facilities management contracts had been awarded, providing a better service for the same cost.
• The Chair of the Audit Committee presented the Audit Committee Annual Report to the Board, which confirmed that there were satisfactory and effective arrangements in place in key areas of risk management, value for money and data quality. The Board approved the report for submission to HEFCE. The Board also approved the Annual Assurance Return for 2012/13; and noted the Annual Assessment of Institutional Risk, confirming that HEFCE had again assessed the University as ‘not at higher risk’ and as meeting its accountability obligations. This represented the most favourable assessment in HEFCE’s terms.
• The Board received regular updates on the preparations for the University of Lincoln’s submission to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), a measure that would affect the future direction of the institution and its recognition as a university where research underpinned the academic activity.  The Vice Chancellor paid tribute to all staff who had worked diligently towards the REF submission and the Chair conveyed the Board’s thanks and acknowledged the excellent level of staff engagement with the process. The outcomes would not be known until the end of 2014, but work for REF 2020 would commence in the New Year with a detailed appraisal of current research performance, and how to further develop that for the future.
• Governors welcomed reports of development of the Science and Innovation Park and the Joseph Bank Laboratories, in the context of the growth in the University’s science provision, and of the joint success with the Co-Op in securing external funding to launch the Lincoln Growth Fund, a £1 million grant scheme which would provide valuable potential support to small businesses locating on or near the park.
• The Board considered a report from the Director of Research & Enterprise and approved its proposals in respect of Research and Commercialisation joint venture arrangements.
• The Chief Finance Officer provided monthly summaries of the University’s financial position.  The Board discussed financial projections and possible future scenarios. In November, the Board approved the consolidated Financial Statements for 2012/13 and the External Auditors’ report. Governors noted the Treasury Review for 2012/13 and approved the Treasury Strategy for 2013/14; and also approved the pilot Annual Sustainability Statement for submission to HEFCE.
• The Board received a report on progress to date against the University Strategic Plan and the associated KPIs. Governors also considered risk management arrangements within the University and approved the updated high level risk register.
• The Chair of the Board summarised the items of discussion at the Autumn plenary meeting of the Committee of University Chairs, including plans to revise the CUC Code of Practice, which had originated in 2004; and consideration of current issues from the HE landscape and policy, such as difference in demand regionally, and falling demand from mature and potential postgraduate students diminishing the ‘second chance’ options traditionally provided by HE.
• The Board welcomed new Governor, Sir Graeme Davies, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Professor Geoff Layer. It also noted with regret the resignation of Ms Moira Sinclair and established a working group to oversee the search for potential new Governors. Mr Peter de Braal was re-appointed as a co-opted member of the Audit Committee. Members expressed their appreciation of the work of Board of Governors’ Officer, Ms Cheryl Cox, who was leaving Lincoln to take up a new position at the University of Leeds.

 

Paul Walsh, Clerk to the Board of Governors