Strictly Private and Confidential
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
UNRESERVED MINUTES OF THE UNIVERSITY BOARD MEETING HELD ON 24TH MARCH 2016
COMMENCING AT 4:30PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, ADELPHI BUILDING
Present:
David Taylor (Chair)
Andrea Adams
Fiona Armstrong
Jim Edney
Joanna Heaton-Marriott
Jon Hogan
Janice Horrocks
Josie Linsel
Mike Thomas
Bill McQueen
In attendance:
Michael Ahern (Chief Operating Officer)
Ian Fisher (Clerk to the Board)
Lynne Livesey (Pro Vice Chancellor)
Deborah Reid (Director of Finance)
Anne Roberts (Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor)
Fiona Winters (Deputy Clerk to the Board)
UB401. Welcome and Apologies
The Chair opened the meeting by thanking Josie Linsel and her team for hosting a tour of the Students’
Union prior to the meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from Ebrahim Adia and Richard Hext.
UB402. Benchmarking Data – Presentation by Tribal
The Chair reported that, because of pressure of time, the proposed presentation by Tribal would now
take place at the residential event 19th/20th May.
UB403. Declaration of Interests
There were no additional declarations of interest.
UB404. Chair’s Announcements
The Chair reported that the University’s Annual Fashion Show would take place on 16th June. Mr Taylor
explained that it was proposed to raise the profile of the event by inviting a wider variety of partners and
stakeholders and confirmed that details would be circulated as soon as possible.
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The Chair also announced that the Summer Graduation Ceremonies would take place between the 11th
and 15th July and that the attendance of Board Members would be much appreciated.
UB405. Reserved and Unreserved Minutes of the University Board Meeting held on 28th January 2016
That the Minutes of the Board meeting held on 28th January 2016 be agreed as a true record and signed
by the Chair.
UB406. Matters Arising from the University Board Meeting held on 28th January 2016
UB394 - The Board were informed that the Students Union had recently elected a President for the
2016/17 Academic year. The Vice Chancellor confirmed that the new President would not formally join
the Board until July. However, the Chair had agreed to invite the new President to the residential event
on 19th and 20th May.
UB396 - RESERVED
UB398 - The University Secretary reported that the Draft Revised Instrument and Articles had now been
submitted to the Privy Council for comment. Mr Fisher also reported that, following further discussion
with Josie Linsel, it had not been necessary to make the suggested amendment referred to in the Minute.
UB407. Board Appointments – Report of Chair of the Nominations Committee
The Chair of the Nominations Committee presented a Report and recommendations from the Committee
following the recent Recruitment and Selection process to identify additional Independent Members of
the Board together with a Staff Member. A copy of the Report is set out in the Minute Book.
Mrs Adams reported that the University had received a number of high calibre applications and that the
Committee considered that the individuals referred to in the Report would each make a valuable
contribution to the University.
Resolved:- That
(i)
Lesley Lloyd and Maria Darby-Walker be appointed with immediate effect as Independent
Members of the Board for an initial period of 12 months; and
(ii)
Dawne Gurbutt be appointed with immediate effect as a Staff Governor of the Board for an initial
period of 12 months.
UB408. Update from the Vice Chancellor
The Vice Chancellor presented a Report updating the Board on key issues relating to the University. A
copy of the Report is set out in the Minute Book.
TEXT REDACTED – RESERVED
In response to questions from the Board, Professor Thomas and Dr Livesey also provided the Board with
more details on the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme.
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TEXT REDACTED – RESERVED
With regard to the Northern Powerhouse initiative, in addition to endorsing the event referred to in the
Report, the Vice Chancellor and the Chair confirmed that the University was also seeking to engage
constructively where possible with Northern Powerhouse initiatives and projects. Professor Thomas also
confirmed that more details of the Conference referred to in his Report would be circulated in due
course.
Resolved:- That
(i)
the Report be noted; and
(ii)
RESERVED
UB409. Feedback from January Away Day session
The Vice Chancellor presented a Report dealing with a number of issues following from the Away Day
discussions in January. A copy of the Report is set out in the Minute Book.
In presenting his Report Professor Thomas briefly summarised the key issues to be addressed and then
took the Board through each of the recommendations set out therein.
The Chair also reported comments received from Mr Hext underlining the importance of the University’s
objective of attaining a top 50 League Table position by 2020. In endorsing that view the Board noted
that, although many other Institutions would also be pursuing that objective, provided the University
made the required progress to achieve the KPIs the Institution would, in any event, be moving forward.
In that regard, Professor Thomas agreed to re-circulate a summary of the agreed KPIs together with an
update of current performance against the KPIs.
TEXT REDACTED – RESERVED
In order to take the Masterplan funding issue forward, it was agreed that Mr Ahern would present a
Report to the May meeting to update the Board on the ‘bigger picture’ of the Masterplan funding
requirements.
It was also agreed that a further Report providing more details relating to the Recommendations on page
1 (Retention Strategy) be presented to the next meeting.
Resolved:- That
(i)
the timing of the strategic priorities set out in Appendix 1 to the Report be agreed;
(ii)
save for the further Report required in respect of the Retention Strategy, the recommendations
proposed in respect of each of the strategies be agreed;
(iii)
the fact that the extrapolation of possible impact of the successful implementation of League
Table initiatives is based upon the rest of the sector remaining static be noted;
(iv)
the plans of the Executive Team for implementation of the strategies and the implications
thereof on operating surplus and cash flow and potentially budget allocations be endorsed; and
(v)
the consideration of Capital Funding options be deferred.
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UB410. TRAC Return 2014/15 Briefing Note
The Director of Finance presented a Report confirming that the TRAC Return for 2014/15 had been
submitted to HEFCE following completion of the usual University assurance process.
Mrs Reid confirmed that the Report was for information only.
Resolved:- That the Report be noted.
UB411. RESERVED
UB412. RESERVED
UB413. Use of Foundation Trustee Funds
Dr Livesey and Mr McQueen updated the Board on a recent discussion regarding the formulation of a
fundraising strategy. Professor Thomas reported that he was shortly to hold a meeting to discuss alumni
related issues and that the involvement of the alumni needed to be incorporated into the consideration
of the future of the Foundation.
In order to take the matter forward the Chair requested that a Report be presented to the next meeting
setting out the position at UCLan, including an explanation of the role and remit of the different
Charitable organisations, together with a summary of the models used elsewhere. The Board could then
look at establishing a small group in order to take that forward.
Resolved:- That a Report incorporating the information set out above be presented to the next meeting.
UB414. Prevent
Dr Livesey presented a Report updating the Board on the actions taken in order to ensure that the
University complies with the revised Prevent Duty introduced under the Terrorism and Security Act
2015. A copy of the Report is set out in the Minute Book.
In briefly summarising the Report, Dr Livesey explained that as the implementation of the new duty was a
strategic responsibility of the Board, approval was now sought to the actions set out in the Report.
In endorsing the Report, the Board noted the difficulties caused by the need to seek to reconcile the
Prevent Duty with the potentially competing Statutory Duty on the University to ensure Freedom of
Speech. The Board also noted the need for involvement of the Audit and Risk Committee in monitoring
this issue and Dr Livesey agreed to take this issue forward with the Vice Chancellor.
Resolved: That the Report be noted and the actions set out therein be endorsed.
UB415. Annual Safety, Health and Environment Report 2014-2015
The Chief Operating Officer presented the 2014/15 Annual Safety, Health and Environment Report 201415. A copy of the Report is set out in the Minute Book.
Mr Ahern explained that the Report was presented for information and that there were no issues he
wished to raise.
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Mr Edney reported that the Audit and Risk Committee received regular updates on this issue and that the
Committee was not aware of any issues.
Resolved:- That the Report be noted.
UB416. Any Other Business
1. Fiona Armstrong reported that since the last meeting, the University had received c£500k value of
positive publicity and thanked the Communications Team for all their hard work.
2. The Deputy Chair reported that the Remuneration Committee and Mr McQueen had just concluded
interviews for a new Executive Director of Human Resources. The interviews had gone very well and
the Vice Chancellor had been authorised to offer the post to one of the candidates. Mrs Horrocks
also reported that the University had now advertised for two Deputy Vice Chancellors and that the
Remuneration Committee would be taking that process forward in the near future.
UB417. Date and time of Next Meeting/Residential 19th and 20th May 2016 – The Belsfield Hotel, Cumbria
That the next meeting/residential be held on 19th and 20th May 2016 at The Belsfield Hotel, Kendal Road,
Cumbria.
I M Fisher
Clerk to the Board
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