Committees of the Board of Governors

Terms of reference

• To consider the appointment of the external auditor, the audit fee, the provision of any non-audit services by the external auditor and any questions of resignation or dismissal of the external auditor.
• To discuss, if necessary, with the external auditor before the audit commences the nature and scope of the audit.
• To discuss problems and reservations arising from the interim and final audits, and any matters the auditor may wish to discuss (in the absence of management, where necessary).
• To consider and advise on the appointment of the internal audit service (and head of internal audit, if applicable).
• To review the internal audit plan, consider major findings of internal audit investigations and management’s response, and promote co-ordination between the internal and external auditors.
• To keep under review the effectiveness of internal control systems, and in particular, review the external auditor’s management letter, the internal auditor’s annual report, and management responses.
• To satisfy itself that satisfactory arrangements are in place to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
• To receive any relevant reports from the National Audit Office or the HEFCE.
• To monitor the performance and effectiveness of external and internal audit.
• To consider, if necessary, the draft annual accounts.
• To report to the Board of Governors any matters which might affect the Board’s responsibility for the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the institution and the Corporation and the safeguarding of the University’s assets.

Constitution

• 3 Members of the Board of Governors other than staff and student Governors
• 1 non-member of the Board with appropriate experience in financial and accounting matters

Appointment and term of office

• The members shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following financial year. Members would be eligible for re-appointment.
  
• The Chair, who shall be a member of the Board, shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following financial year.

Terms of reference

• To consider the University’s revenue and capital estimates and to make recommendations to the Board of Governors.
• To consider reports on the monitoring and control of the University’s budget.
• To determine, on behalf of the Board of Governors, appropriate Financial Regulations and Standing Orders relating to Contracts.
• To determine, on behalf of the Board of Governors, matters of employment policy, pay and conditions of service of staff employed at the University with the exception of holders of senior posts.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors on matters in regard to Information Systems and Technology.
• To determine, on behalf of the Board of Governors, any other matters as referred to the Committee from time to time by the Board.

Constitution

• Chair
• Deputy Chair
• 2 Other members of the Board of Governors other than staff and student Governors
• Vice-Chancellor

Appointment and term of office

The non ex officio members to be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year, to serve for the following academic year. Members would be eligible for re-appointment.

Terms of reference

To undertake the following Estates related responsibilities on behalf of the Board of Governors:

• To agree and monitor the University’s Estates Strategy
• To approve the contractual arrangements for capital building projects and monitor the progress of these projects
• To agree a long term planned maintenance programme and monitor its implementation on an annual basis
• To appoint estates related professional advisors to act on behalf of the University
• To consider, on behalf of the Board of Governors, any other matters as referred to the Committee from time to time by the Board.

Constitution

• Vice-Chancellor
• Four members of the Board

Appointment and Term of Office

The non ex officio members to be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year, to serve for the following academic year. Members would be eligible for re-appointment.

Terms of Reference

• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the appointment of independent members of the Board when vacancies arise.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the appointment of non-staff and student co-opted members of the Board when vacancies arise.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the possible re-appointment to office of independent and non-staff and student co-opted members once their existing period of office has expired.
• To review annually at the ordinary Summer Term meeting the terms of reference, constitution and appointment and term of office of members of each of the Board’s committees and make recommendations, as appropriate, to the Board.
• To review annually at the ordinary Summer Term meeting the Board's committee structure to ensure:
  • It meets the current needs of the institution, taking into account any specific major issues, such as abnormally large capital projects
  • Committees work effectively as individual units, within a clear, defined and integrated structure
  • There is no unnecessary duplication or referrals back and forth
  • There are no gaps in coverage
  • Each committee is aware of the major opportunities and key risks for which it is responsible
  • Each committee has the correct balance of skills and experienc
  • Each committee is clear about its reporting requirements.
• To consider at the ordinary Summer Term meeting and make recommendations to the Board in regard to the membership of each of the Board’s committees for the following academic year.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the appointment of Chancellor.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the appointment of Pro-Chancellors.
• To consider and make recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding the appointment of Associate of the University.
• To consider at the ordinary Summer Term meeting and make recommendations to the Board in regard to the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair to the Board for the following academic year.
• To undertake any other functions as and when required by the Board of Governors in relation to the appointment of members of the Board.

Constitution

• Chair
• 4 Independent members
• Vice-Chancellor

Appointment and term of office

The non ex officio members to be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following academic year. Members would be eligible for re-appointment.

Terms of Reference

On behalf of the Board of Governors:

• To determine the employment, contract and remuneration arrangements applying to the designated holders of senior posts, including pay, non-pay benefits, and terms and conditions of service and related matters.
• To determine any changes to the employment remuneration arrangements and related matters applying to the designated holders of senior posts, including, for example, the review of salary levels which normally takes place on an annual basis.
• To monitor and evaluate the individual performance of the designated holders of senior posts, with particular reference to the University Corporate Plan, the Annual Operating Statement and other objectives as agreed with the post holder.
• To approve the relevant statements to be included in the University's Annual Published Board of Governors report and Financial Statements in regard to the Remuneration Committee and salaries for holders of senior posts.
• To determine the terms, as appropriate, of any special severance arrangements applying in the event of any required and unplanned early termination of employment of any holder of a senior post.     

Constitution

Membership to be the same as the Employment and Finance Committee.

Appointment and term of office

• The members shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following financial year. Members would be eligible for re-appointment.
• The Chair, who shall be a member of the Board, shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following financial year.

Terms of Reference

(a) To ensure that confidence can reasonably be placed in the soundness of the University’s management of the academic standards of its awards and the management of the quality of the teaching opportunities available to students and to report to the Board accordingly.
(b) To consider the following Key Performance Indicator Reports and report as necessary to the Board:
(i) League Tables
(ii) HEFCE Performance Indicators
(iii) Student Retention
(iv) National Student Survey (NSS)
(v) Student Viewfinder
(vi) Destinations of Leavers
(vii) Student and Staff Diversity Profiles
(c) To consider any reports from the Quality Assurance Agency and report as necessary to the Board.
(d) To consider an annual report from the University’s Academic Board summarising the work undertaken in regard to its quality framework and report as necessary to the Board.
(e) To consider an annual report from the Vice-Chancellor on the implementation of the Single Equality Scheme.

Constitution

5 members of the Board of Governors
1 member of Academic Board nominated by the Vice-Chancellor
Vice-Chancellor

Appointment and Term of Office

(i) The members to be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year, to serve for the following academic year.  Members would be eligible for re-appointment.
(ii) The Chair shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following academic year.
(iii) The Deputy Chair shall be appointed at the Summer Term ordinary meeting of the Board each year to serve for the following academic year.