docs.gre.ac.uk · Web viewvi following an election by and from Teaching and Research members of Academic Council, Dr Rob Allen be appointed to the Court under Article 7(2)(b) for

theCOURT

MINUTES of the fourth meeting of the 2001/2002 academic year held on Monday, 1st July, 2002, in the Council Room, Queen Anne Court, Maritime Greenwich Campus, commencing at 7.30 pm.

Present: Mr C R H Bull (in the Chair)

Mr R J Baglin Mrs M McKinlayProf D Chambers Mrs A-M NelsonMs F Crook Miss C Phippen (left after item 4.1)Mrs G duCharme Mr D Pointer Prof M Everett Dr C St John-BrooksMr J C Gould Prof R H TrainorMr J R H Loudon

In attendance:

Mrs T A Brighton Prof J Humphreys Mrs L Cording Mr J Morris Prof M Cross Prof D Wills

Apologies for absence were received from Mr S Atkinson, Dr L Garner, Mr P E Oldham, Mr I R Price and Dr D Quarmby.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

01/02.4.1 Declarations of interest were made by Chris Bull and Mark Cross in relation to agenda item 5x (UGMT: Acquisition of Shares in Parallel Software Products Ltd and Multi-Physics Software Ltd).

MEMBERSHIP

01/02.4.2 The Court resolved that:

i when vacancies occur for Independent Governors, non-staff Co-opted Governors be translated into the Independent Governor status for the remainder of their period of office. In such a case all of the period of membership as Co-opted and Independent Governor will be included as one period of tenure.

ii in normal circumstances the maximum length of service on the University Court be three terms of three years

Court: 1 July 2002 page 1

iii when a member of the Court is appointed Chair, he or she begins a new term of office

iv the Chair of Court should normally serve one term and exceptionally a maximum of two terms of three years

v following her election as President of the Students’ Union, Chantel Phippen be re-appointed to the Court under Article 7(2(c) for the period 1 August 2002 to 31 July 2003

vi following an election by and from Teaching and Research members of Academic Council, Dr Rob Allen be appointed to the Court under Article 7(2)(b) for the period 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2005

vii following a ballot of those Governors appointed under Article 7(2)(a), the Co-opted Governors, John Gould and Mary McKinlay, be translated to Independent Governors for the period 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2005. It was noted that both Governors had received a simple majority of Governors appointed under Article 7(2)(a)

viii the following staff members be appointed to serve as Co-opted Governors under Article 7(2)(d) for the period 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2005:

Les Garner (following a ballot of teaching and research staff)Denis Heathcote (following a ballot of support staff).

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

01/02.4.3 The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2002 were agreed to be a true record and signed.

MATTERS ARISING

(i) HONORARY DEGREES COMMITTEE

01/02.4.4 The Court noted that the following had accepted the offer of Honorary Degrees from the University:

AwardBernard Ashley HonDEdJohn Charles HonDUnivTrevor Dannatt HonDDesDame Karlene Davis HonDScSir Michael Gambon CBE HonDArtRachael Heyhoe-Flint MBE DL HonDScThe Rt Hon The Lord Marsh PC HonLLDCyril Ramaphosa HonLLDRobert Worcester HonLLD


COMMITTEE MINUTES

01/02.4.5 The minutes of the following meetings were received:

i Remuneration Committee held on 18 October 2001. ii Audit Committee held on 20 March 2002. iii Remuneration Committee held on 7 May 2002.iv Staffing & General Committee held on 29 May 2002. v Audit Committee held on 10 June 2002. vi Finance & Estates Committee held on 17 June 2002.

ORGANISATIONAL RESTRUCTURING

01/02.4.6 The Vice-Chancellor reported that an Extraordinary meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee had been convened to consider a number of significant issues underlying the University’s financial position. Discussion had focussed on the need for financial economies including the possibility of staff redundancies. The financial necessity for a substantial reduction in staff costs had subsequently been reported to the Staffing and General Committee and the 2002/2003 budget assumed that a number of staffing savings would be made. The Court noted that formal negotiations on redundancies had started and expressed the hope that the consultations take place as quickly and harmoniously as possible for the benefit of all staff concerned.

STAFF DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

01/02.4.7 The Court agreed the recommendation of the Staffing and General Committee that the amended Staff Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures be approved for implementation w.e.f. 1 August 2002.

RACE EQUALITY POLICY

01/02.4.8 The Court, noting that it had previously been considered by the Equal Opportunities Committee, Academic Council and the Staffing and General Committee, approved the adoption of the University Race Equality Policy.

RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY

01/02.4.9 The Court agreed the recommendation of the Audit Committee that the University Risk Management Policy and Risk Register be approved.


VALUE FOR MONEY STRATEGY

01/02.4.10 The Court agreed the recommendation of the Audit Committee that the Value for Money Strategy be approved.

AUDIT COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE

01/02.4.11 The Court approved revised Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes).

BUDGET 2002/2003 AND FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL FORECAST

01/02.4.12 The Vice-Chancellor reported that the 2002/2003 budget contained a number of key assumptions, including the completion of the sale of the Dartford Campus by the end of the 2001/2002 financial year. The Finance and Estates Committee had commended the budget to the Court on the understanding that a stringent review of all activities and expenditure would be carried out throughout the year along with the proposed review of academic and administrative staffing provision. It was hoped that these measures would ensure a break-even position for the 2003/2004 budget.

01/02.4.13 The Court approved the 2002/2003 budget and Five-Year Financial Forecast recognising that modifications might need to be made in the light of a number of variables and on the basis that University officers would continue to seek ways to reduce costs and identify further savings.

BOND

01/02.4.14 The Court noted that, in order to secure a forbearance and amendment agreement with the Bond Guarantor and Bond Trustee, the Minimum Liquidity Requirement would need to be increased. The Court agreed that the Bond terms of agreement be amended to reflect an increase in the Minimum Liquidity Requirement from £3 million to £4 million in 2002-03 and from £4 million to £5 million in 2003-04 and that the terms of the insurance agreement be amended. The Vice-Chancellor was authorised to take appropriate action to enable formal agreement to be reached.

NRI

01/02.4.15 The Court received the minutes of the NRI Board meeting held on 20 May 2002.

01/02.4.16 The Vice-Chancellor reported that:

i a provision of £1 million for projected NRI losses had been included in the 2002/2003 budget


ii further revisions were being made to the draft 2002/2003 Business Plan and Governor members of the NRI Board would be consulted on the Plan prior to its submission to the Funding Council.

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

01/02.4.17 The Court received a report by the PVC (Academic Planning) outlining the case for establishing a new School of Pharmacy at Medway jointly with the University of Kent. The Court noted the importance of reviewing and diversifying its academic portfolio and further noted that, if the proposal went ahead, it would be the first major new discipline at the University since the creation of the new Law School in 1991. There were other strong strategic reasons for supporting the proposal: not only in terms of general academic objectives but also in relation to specific objectives for the Medway campus and health care education. The Court noted that Greenwich would be the primary administering university for the MPharm.

01/02.4.18 The Court approved the recommendation of the Finance and Estates Committee that a new School of Pharmacy at the Medway Campus in collaboration with the University of Kent be developed, subject to:

i a general update on project developments with specific reference to the determination of the start date (currently under negotiation) to the next meeting

ii further updates as the project progresses with special reference to the assumptions and risks identified in the business plan.

THE SORTING OFFICE, GREENWICH PARK STREET

01/02.4.19 The Court received a verbal report from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Resources) outlining the proposal to lease premises for Computing and Information Services staff relocating from Woolwich. It was noted that a number of possible locations had been considered but that the accommodation in Greenwich Park Street was the cheapest option in terms of computer traffic usage. It was anticipated that, if occupation of the premises took place on 1 August 2002, the Computer Centre could be operational from 1 January 2003. This would enable vacant possession at the Woolwich Island site and for the disposal strategy to be actively pursued.

01/2.4.20 The Court endorsed the recommendation of the Finance and Estates Committee that the University take a 25 year lease at £124,500 + VAT p.a. of the premises known as The Sorting Office, Greenwich Park Street, as space for the relocation of the Computing and Information Services associated staff from Woolwich.


UGMT: ACQUISITION OF SHARES IN PARALLEL SOFTWARE PRODUCTS LTD (PSP) AND MULTI-PHYSICS SOFTWARE LTD (MPS)

01/02.4.21 As the Chairman had declared a possible conflict of interests, Anne-Marie Nelson, as Deputy Chair of Court, chaired the meeting for this item.

01/02.4.22 Professor Mark Cross left the meeting for this item.

01/02.4.23 The Court considered a proposal that the University acquire shares in two companies established by a member of staff, noting that the proposal had previously been considered by the UGMT Board and the Finance & Estates Committee. The proposal was being presented now in order to regularise the position of the companies in the light of potential commercial interest in them. The Court noted that the University did not currently have an Intellectual Property Policy and expressed concern that, in making a decision on the proposal, the intellectual property rights of the University should be protected. It was further noted that Robson Rhodes, the External Auditors, had provided guidance in the form of a number of recommendations on the proposal and in addition legal advice from a specialist in intellectual property was being sought by the University Secretary.

01/02.4.24 The Court:

i agreed that the matter be further considered at the October 2002 meeting when the Court would be able to fully consider the implications of the legal advice being obtained

ii agreed that, in the eventuality that the advice was available before the October meeting, and subject to consultation by correspondence with Members of Court, the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Chair of Court be given delegated authority to agree terms for resolving the matter

iii agreed that the University Secretary establish a framework for guidance on staff companies

iv requested that, once the draft University Policy on Intellectual Property had been considered by Academic Council, it be submitted to Court for approval.

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

01/02.4.25 The Court received a report from the Academic Registrar on Items of Academic Significance arising from meetings of Academic Council on 6 March 2002, 17 April 2002 and 12 June 2002, together with a copy of the minutes.


DEGREE CLASSIFICATIONS

01/02.4.26 The Court noted that Academic Council had recently approved changes to the University’s system of degree assessment.

STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR

01/02.4.27 The Court noted that Academic Council would be establishing a working group to review the structure of the academic year including the possibility of abolishing semesters.

REPORT OF THE REVIEW OF RESEARCH, CONSULTANCY AND ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

01/02.4.28 The Court considered a report detailing a review of the University’s research policy undertaken to determine the next steps and future strategy for the development of research, consultancy and advanced professional practice following the results of the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). The Review Panel had comprised internal members as well as external members from Brunel University and the University of Brighton. It was noted that the final report contained 30 recommendations but the main thrust of the conclusions was to reaffirm the importance of research to the University’s overall mission. The University would now be seeking to develop a research strategy which, while continuing to develop general research capacity insofar as resources allowed, would concentrate on the fields and areas at which the University already achieved levels of excellence or near excellence. It was further noted that University officers were confident that the required cuts in research expenditure (c£1 million in August 2002 and a further c£850,000 in August 2003) could be achieved.

01/02.4.29 The Court

i endorsed the recommendations in section 5 of the Report of the Review of Research, Consultancy and Advanced Professional Practice for immediate implementation

ii noted that progress reports would be submitted to future meetings of the Court.

CORPORATE PLAN 2002-07

01/02.4.30 The Court:

i approved the Corporate Plan 2002-07 for submission to HEFCE together with the 2002 Annual Operating Statement


ii noted that an implementation plan would be produced annually

iii noted that a report monitoring progress on the Plan’s implementation would be submitted annually to the Court

iv noted that a mid term review of the Plan would be undertaken in 2004-2005.

COLLABORATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT AT CANTERBURY

01/02.4.31 The Court received a progress report on collaboration in Medway with UKC which attached a draft agreement with Medway Council entitled “Universities at Medway Project – Medway’s Council’s Involvement – Outline Proposals”.

01/02.4.32 It was noted that the collaboration involving the universities of Greenwich and Kent together with Mid-Kent College, had two key objectives: the development of a joint campus which would partly use Greenwich’s existing estate and the development of a portfolio of courses which would draw on the specialisms of each of the institutions. A successful joint bid to HEFCE for funding to remodel and refurbish the Medway estate had resulted in a grant of £3.9 million. The release of this funding was dependent on securing additional resources from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Medway Council, both of which had pledged material support for the project. The draft agreement was being drawn up to formalise Medway’s contribution and was being submitted simultaneously to the July meetings of the governing bodies of both Greenwich and Kent universities.

01/02.4.33 The Court:

i noted the continuing discussions on collaboration with the University of Kent in the Medway region

ii endorsed the draft agreement with Medway Council on the understanding that modifications were still being negotiated, and subject to the resolution of any outstanding issues between the parties

iii endorsed the collaboration on condition that the perceived advantages of the collaboration to the University of Greenwich were maintained.

COURT AND COURT COMMITTEE TIMETABLE

01/02.4.34 The Court approved the Court and Committee dates for 2002/2003 (attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes).


STUDENTS’ UNION CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS

01/02.4.35 The Court approved amendments to the Students’ Union Constitution and Bye-Laws as approved by the Union General Meeting held on 27 November 2001.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY: PATENTS


Professor Mark Cross, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Consultancy and Outreach), and/or Linda Cording, University Secretary, and/or John Wallace, Administrative Secretary, and/or Jonathan Morris, Director of Finance, be authorised to grant on behalf of the University limited Powers of attorney to named firms and/or individuals for the purposes of securing legal protection including patent, trademark and other registrable rights protection worldwide at the national Intellectual Property Offices and/or offices dealing with the granting of such rights under international treaties, and for the execution of any incidental acts related thereto.

FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY 2001

01/02.4.37 The Court received a report on the First Destination Survey 2001 from Gay Humphrys, Head of Guidance and Careers Advisory Services.

SENIOR APPOINTMENTS

01/02.4.38 The Court noted:

i the appointment of Dr John Nicholson as Professor and Head Designate of the School of Chemical and Life Sciences w.e.f. 1 September 2002

ii the extension of the appointment of Dr Liz Briggs as Head of the School of Chemical and Life Sciences for a further year until 31 July 2003.

PROFESSORIAL AND READER APPOINTMENTS

01/02.4.39 The Court noted the following awards of the title Professor, Reader, visiting Professor, Visiting Fellow and Emeritus Professor made by the Professorial and Reader Appointments Committee for 2001:


Professors

Dr Chris Bailey Professor of Computational MechanicsDr Mehrdad Shokoohy Professor of Architecture and Urban StudiesDr Yong Yan Professor of Instrumentation

Readers

Dr Mike Bradley Reader in Bulk Particle TechnologyMs Susan Corby Reader in Employee RelationsDr Sandra Elliott Reader in Clinical PsychologyDr Colin Hills Reader in Cementitious SystemsMr Steve Torr Reader in Veterinary EntomologyDr Rob Withnall Reader in Materials Spectroscopy

Visiting Professors

Dr A DavisProfessor R GuyProfessor D RichardsonDr D Stovey

Visiting Fellows

Mr R A FoxMr Alan FreemanMr C JonesMr R ManagbhaiDr J E Robson

Emeritus Professors

Professor Alistair BaxterProfessor Ian GrantProfessor Chris HainesProfessor Ian McNay

BANK INDEMNITIES


i Barclays Bank plc, the University’s bankers, be given an up-to-date indemnity to accept facsimile instructions on the University’s behalf

ii the Chairman be authorised to sign and the Vice-Chancellor to counter-sign the form of indemnity as drafted by the bank and the Chairman and University Secretary be authorised to certify the minute


iii in the use of facsimile instructions relating to international payments, Professor Richard Trainor is hereby authorised to sign on behalf of the University an omnibus agreement and indemnity in favour of Barclays Bank PLC in the form of that produced to the University and on which form of omnibus agreement and indemnity a certified copy of this resolution shall be inscribed

iv the Chairman and University Secretary be authorised to certify the minute.

USE OF UNIVERSITY SEAL

01/02.4.41 The Court:

i approved the use of the Common Seal of the University on the following:

a Licence to Underlet re: Room A035, 6 Alexander Grove, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent between Tropical Resource Consultants Limited and the University of Greenwich

b Land Registry Transfer re: strip of land at Downshire House, Roehampton Land from University of Greenwich to London Borough of Wandsworth

ii noted the signing as a Deed of the following “Group B” document:

a 106 Agreement re: “Bubble” for Charlton Athletic Football Club between Charlton Athletic Football Club, London Borough of Greenwich and the University of Greenwich.

THANKS

01/02.4.42 On behalf of the Court, the Chairman thanked David Chambers, Frances Crook, Paul Oldham, David Pointer and Roger Price, whose terms of office expire on 31 August 2002, for their contributions to the work of the Court during a particularly difficult period in the life of the University.

The meeting finished at 10.15 pm.

TABrighton 208.08.02 F:\Court\minutes\01July2002


Appendix 1 to Court Minutes (1 July 2002)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference

1. To advise the Court on the appointment of the external auditors, the audit fee, the provision of any non-audit services by the external auditors and any questions of resignation or dismissal of the external auditors.

2. To discuss if necessary with the external auditors, before the audit begins, the nature and scope of the audit.

3. To discuss with the external auditors problems and reservations arising from the interim and final audits, including a review of the management letter incorporating management responses, and any other matters the external auditors may wish to discuss (in the absence of management where necessary).

4. To consider and advise the Court on the appointment and terms of engagement of the internal audit service, the audit fee, the provision of any non-audit services by the internal auditors and any questions of resignation or dismissal of the internal auditors.

5. To review the internal auditors’ audit needs assessment and the audit plan; to consider major findings of internal audit investigations and management’s response; and promote co-ordination between the internal and external auditors. The committee will make recommendations to the Court to ensure that the resources made available for internal audit are sufficient to meet the institution’s needs.

6. To keep under review the effectiveness of internal control systems and risk management systems, and in particular to review the external auditors’ management letter, the internal auditors’ annual report, and management responses.

7. To monitor the implementation of agreed audit-based recommendations from whatever source.

8. To ensure that all significant losses have been properly investigated and that the internal and external auditors, and where appropriate the HEFCE Accounting Officer, have been informed.

9. To oversee the institution’s policy on fraud and irregularity, including being notified of any action taken under that policy.

10. To satisfy itself that satisfactory arrangements are in place to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

11. To receive any relevant reports from the National Audit Office, the HEFCE and other organisations.


12. To monitor annually the performance and effectiveness of external and internal auditors, and to make recommendations to the Court concerning their re-appointment, where appropriate.

13. To consider elements of the annual financial statements in the presence of the external auditor, including the auditor’s formal opinion, the statement of members’ responsibilities and any corporate governance statement.

14. To submit an annual report to the Court and designated officer, summarising the activity for the year. It will give the committee’s opinion on the extent to which the Court may rely on the internal control system and risk management system and the arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness. (This opinion should be based upon the information presented to the committee). The audit committee annual report should normally be submitted to the Court before the members’ responsibility statement in the annual financial statements is signed.

15. To meet at least three times a year and to report to the Court as appropriate thereafter.

All references to the University mean the University of Greenwich and any subsidiary Companies it has formed.

Crt\Audit\TermsofRef2002


Appendix 2 to Court Minutes (1 July 2002)

COURT AND COMMITTEE DATES 2002/2003

COMMITTEE TIME DAY DATE

Audit 7.00 pm Monday 23 September 2002

Finance and Estates 6.30 pm Monday 30 September 2002

Court 7.30 pm Monday 14 October 2002

Staffing and General 6.30 pm Monday 11 November 2002

Finance and Estates 6.30 pm Monday 18 November 2002

Audit 7.00 pm Monday 25 November 2002

Court 7.30 pm Monday 9 December 2002

Staffing and General 6.30 pm Monday 17 February 2003

Audit 7.00 pm Monday 3 March 2003

Finance and Estates 6.30 pm Monday 17 March 2003

Court 7.30 pm Monday 31 March 2003

Staffing and General 6.30 pm Monday 19 May 2003

Audit 7.00 pm Monday 2 June 2003

Finance and Estates 6.30 pm Monday 16 June 2003

Court 7.30 pm Monday 30 June 2003

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

Semester DatesSemester 1 - 16 September 2002 - 17 January 2003Semester 2 - 20 January 2003 – 20 June 2003

Vacation DatesChristmas - 14 December 2002 - 5 January 2003Easter - 7 April 2003 – 27 April 2003

Bank HolidaysMay Day - Monday, 5 May 2003Spring - Monday, 26 May 2003

18 June 2002/F:\Court\02-03cal


Documents

docs.gre.ac.uk · Web viewvi following an election by and from Teaching and Research members of Academic Council, Dr Rob Allen be appointed to the Court under Article 7(2)(b) for