UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
COUNCIL
A meeting of the Council was held on Monday 17 July 2006 at 2.15pm in Committee Room A,
Northcote House.
PRESENT:
Pro-Chancellor, Mr K R Seal (Chair)
Treasurer, Mr G A Sturtridge
Vice-Chancellor, Professor S M Smith
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor P Webley
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor R J P Kain
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor J M Kay
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor N Armstrong
Mr B M Biscoe
The Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Exeter
Mr S R Bosworth
Councillor Mrs C Channon
Mrs J L Davey
Mr A Desmier
Professor P Draper
Mr R M P Hughes
Mr P Lacey
Professor H Lappin-Scott
Professor M R Macnair
Sir Robin Nicholson
Mr L Pollard
Professor W B Richardson
Councillor R Slack
Dr P M Smith
Mr H W J Stubbs
Dr R F Symes
Professor N J Talbot
Registrar and Secretary, Mr D J Allen
Director of Finance, Mr J C Lindley
Academic Secretary, Mr D F Batty
Senior Assistant Registrar, Miss S E Odell
APOLOGIES:
Professor R J Hawker, Ms R King, Dame Suzi Leather.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Professor M Overton (Deputy Vice-Chancellor-designate), Professor K
Atkinson (Cornwall Provost).
06.31
Resignation of Council Member
The Chair REPORTED with regret the resignation from Council in June of Mr T D D Hoffman,
owing to pressure of other commitments.
06.32
Death of Dr K C H Rowe, Pro-Chancellor, 1972-85
The Chair REPORTED the death in June 2006 of Dr Kenneth Rowe, who had been ProChancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University from 1972-85. From the honorary
degree oration to him in 1986, it had been obvious that he had been a well respected and
loved member of the University, and the Vice-Chancellor had written to his family with the
University’s condolences.
06.33
Congratulations
The Chair congratulated the following on behalf of Council:
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(a) Dame Suzi Leather who had been appointed Chair of the Charity Commission from 1
August 2006;
(b) The Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of Exeter who had been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of
Divinity by the University of Birmingham, for the systematic and sustained application of
theology to public life;
(c) Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott who had been elected President of the International
Society of Microbial Ecology (ISME) from August 2006;
(d) Professor John Tooke who had been elected Chair of the Council of Heads of Medical
Schools, with immediate effect, to 2009.
06.34
Declarations of Interest
The Chair indicated that the Register of Members’ Interests was available with the Secretary
and invited members to declare any pecuniary, family or other personal interests pertaining to
the business before Council. No such declarations were made.
06.35
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2006 were CONFIRMED (CNL/06/29).
MINUTE 06.3 – MINUTES/MINUTE 05.71 – UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AND MINUTE
05.88 – GUILD OF STUDENTS
It was REPORTED that the Privy Council had approved the amendments to the Charter and
Statutes, approved by Council in December 2005.
MINUTE 06.9 – UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CORNWALL CAMPUS – PLANNING FOR
PHASE 3
It was REPORTED that it had been decided not to finalise the statement on the University of
Cornwall given discussions undertaken in the interim period.
06.36
Office of Chancellor
It was REPORTED that it had been agreed in May 2006, by correspondence with Council
members, that Dr Floella Benjamin OBE be appointed to the office of Chancellor and that the
Installation had taken place on 11 July 2006.
The Degree Days the previous week had been very happy and successful occasions, owing
in no small part to the Chancellor’s personality and interaction with students and parents.
06.37
Vice-Chancellor’s Report
Council RECEIVED a report from the Vice-Chancellor (CNL/06/30).
In addition he reported on the following:
(a) Staff Salaries and Framework Agreement
The recent nationally-negotiated pay deal had been accepted by the three main support
staff unions but the result of the University and College Union (UCU) ballot was not
expected until that day. If UCU members accepted the deal, in addition to the other
unions, it would be implemented from 1 August 2006. If it did not accept the deal,
problems would result as it was a national three-year deal, common to all University
staff. The deal represented an average minimum increase over three years of 17%,
compared to a public sector increase of 2% pa. So far as the Framework Agreement was
concerned, a meeting of the Joint Negotiating Committee would be held the following
day to see if agreement could be reached, for implementation of the Agreement from 1
August 2006. Again, the three main support staff unions had agreed and there was a
remaining problem for UCU concerning no detriment on the first point of the scale. It
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was important for Council to be aware that Senior Lecturers and Readers would be
assimilated across to Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor (a new nomenclature)
under the new arrangements.
(b) Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)
The next CSR was expected to be very tight indeed, so much so that the University
management team was considering the possibility of a 2-3% reduction in the unit of
resource as a result of it.
(c) Political Parties: HE Policy
It was important for universities to seek to influence the HE policies of the main political
parties, and to this end he had agreed to attend meetings of the Conservative Party’s HE
group in his capacity as Chair of the 1994 Group, to offer advice. He and others would
try to persuade both main parties to set up a joint working party to consider the lifting of
the fees cap after 2009.
(d) 1994 Group
He had now taken office as Chair of the 1994 Group, which had agreed to admit
additional members – Leicester, Loughborough, SOAS, and Queen Mary and Westfield.
In effect, the binary line had now been redrawn under the 38 research-intensive
institutions which were members of the Russell Group and 1994 Group.
06.38
Higher Education Research Assessment and Funding
Having received an information pack about the Government’s consultation on the Reform of
HE Research Assessment and Funding, Council CONSIDERED oral reports from the ViceChancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research (Professor Kain).
Referring to the relevant item in the Report from Senate (CNL/06/44), the Vice-Chancellor
reiterated the following points:

The peer-reviewed Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) enabled HEFCE to allocate
£1.4b pa of public funding, mostly to QR (the tranche of funding dependant on the
grading in the exercise).

The Roberts Review in 2003 had concluded that the sector wanted to keep the RAE,
contrary to expectations, and it had been decided to continue with a version of the
original process.

A document issued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the time of his Budget
Statement in March 2006 had, however suggested that cancellation of the RAE 2008
might be a possibility, to be replaced by use of “metrics” to assign the £1.4b.

Following intensive lobbying, including by the Vice-Chancellor as incoming Chair of the
1994 Group, the 2008 RAE would now be going ahead, but the Government was now
consulting on the Reform of HE Research Assessment and Funding post the RAE, with a
closing date for comments of 13 October, so that the information could be collated in
time for the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Statement.

If metrics were applied in accordance with some modelling, Exeter would lose 25% of its
QR funding but this was unlikely in practice.

The proposals were designed to direct more funds into Science and applied research,
and, counter-intuitively, the post-92 institutions stood to gain the most.

The dual support system would be under threat if the proposals were adopted.

It was hoped that the Russell Group and 1994 Group would work together on a
combined response to the consultation.
Professor Kain made the following points:

He was a member of a HEFCE/AHRC Working Party on the use of metrics.

Research Committee was leading on Exeter’s response, which would take close account
of the responses being prepared by the 1994 Group and Russell Group.
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
It was crucial not to lose sight of the RAE 2008, the outcomes of which were likely to
calibrate the shadow metrics being worked on and would determine QR in 2009/10 at
least. Quality benchmarks would be set for a long time by this RAE, and would provide
entrance tickets for some streams of competitive funding.

The pilot RAE was in process and the external assessors were at work, with feedback
due by the end of July. From comments already being received, there was support for
the calibration of quality resulting from the University’s research output monitoring (ROM)
process.

By the end of August, the templates would be received for the substantive returns to the
RAE.

There would be a further round of ROM in January 2007, followed by meetings of the
RAE Review Group which would take decisions about the staff to be submitted.

Pressure on submitting applications for research grants and contracts would be
maintained.

These were pivotal months for the research future of the University.
In discussion, points made included the following:
(a) given the nature of Treasury interest in University research funding, thought should
perhaps be given to applied research by those at the cutting edge: the Treasury was
clearly wanting a dividend from the additional funding it had given to research;
(b) even the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) had made a knowledge transfer
appointment;
(c) the method put forward in the consultation paper seemed very complex if the aims were
to increase science spending and the amount of applied research;
(d) the split was not simply between Science and Arts/Humanities: there was a split within
Sciences;
(e) it was important to find the right balance in Science;
(f)
it was hoped that the Russell Group and 1994 Group would seek an equitable result, not
just for their own institutions;
(g) the drop in research applications at Exeter was worrying and urgent action was needed;
(h) 2006/07 would be an investment year, including good new appointments which would
contribute to research success;
(i)
the University was on target to submit more than 94% of its academic staff to the RAE,
which represented a significant improvement since 2001, the year of the last RAE;
(j)
following the RAE, there should be a new HR environment for academic staff motivation;
(k) every effort was being made to ensure that academic staff understood the possible
developments ahead.
In conclusion, the Chair commented that Council had had a good preliminary discussion
about future research assessment and funding, and would await further reports as
appropriate.
06.39
Institutional Performance Review – Corporate Plan and Key Performance Indicators
Council RECEIVED the third and final review of the indicators of success for 2005/06,
together with update on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) presented in the context of the
Key Characteristics they supported (CNL/06/31).
The Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor drew attention to the main areas of concern among the
indicators of success – research applications and postgraduate research student numbers.
So far as the KPIs were concerned, he drew attention to the following: research outputs
(which were good), graduate employability (which was improving), library/IT spend,
consultancy income and A level tariff points.
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06.40
Corporate Plan 2006-2010
Council CONSIDERED the draft Corporate Plan 2006-2010 (CNL/06/32).
The Chair said that this was the final iteration of the process in which Council had been
involved through the year. Risk had been integrated into the Plan and there were ongoing
debates on the Education and Estate Strategies.
The Vice-Chancellor added that in future the Corporate Plan would be linked to the Top 20 by
2010 strategy, as would the KPIs. The Chair alerted Council to the significant resources that
would be required to underpin the Top 20 Strategy and the difficult decisions that would need
to be made.
In discussion, points made included the following:
(a) more mention could perhaps be made of the Cornwall Campus under Outreach;
(b) there appeared to be a gap relating to the need for continuing updating of staff teaching
skills in a fast-changing environment under the Core Aims - Education, although
members were assured by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education that this aspect was
not being neglected and would be a key plank of the Education Strategy;
(c) so far as the sections relating to objectives and indicators of success were concerned, it
would be good to identify aspects that were uniquely Exeter, with benefits for marketing;
(d) there was some vagueness attached to certain indicators – for example, page 8, 5th
bullet point, applications and awards – which should be more specific, page 10, 5 th bullet
point – percentage of students gaining graduate-level employment – specify x to y%.
Council APPROVED the Corporate Plan 2006-2010, noting that the points made by Council
would be taken into account when the next year’s Plan was being drawn up.
06.41
Budget 2006/07 and Financial Forecasts to 2009/10
Council CONSIDERED a paper (CNL/06/33), presenting the budget for 2006/07 and financial
forecast to 2009/10.
Introducing the discussion, the Chair said that it was a plan with some very significant
changes:

costs (staff pay, Framework Agreement, energy)

revenue (fees, Additional Student Numbers)

investments (RAE, Top 20, Schools/Services).
For the years beyond 2006/07, there were large surpluses but more detail on how these
would be used would be presented at a later date. For current purposes, Council was being
asked, on the recommendation of SPaRC, to agree to continue to invest and to tolerate an
operating deficit covered by the disposal of assets, to continue the trajectory, not without risk.
The Director of Finance first informed Council that for 2005/06 the expected outturn now
stood at a surplus of £2.3m for the year and might well increase to £3m, at historic cost. The
main variances from the £0.8m reported to Council in April 2006 were: slippage into 2006/07
(£0.9m), staff savings (£0.4m), and QR (£0.3m). Research earnings were running £0.2m
lower than forecast, which was a cause for concern.
The forecast was subject to adjustment for the recent ERBS valuation and asset sales (End
Cottage).
For 2006/07, there was a planned surplus of £3.5m with an operating deficit of £2.8m and a
£6.3m profit on asset sales. Surpluses for future years were currently forecast as follows:
2007/08 £1.3m, 2008/09 £8.1m and 2009/10 £11.1m. Investment spend would be committed
against those surpluses, before reports were submitted to HEFCE.
Council should have a greater degree of comfort this year in the forecasts, partly because
there had been a longer period of preparation. School Planning Groups had had greater
opportunity to contribute. There were £1.8m in contingencies for 2006/07, rising to £2.8m in
2007/08 and beyond, including provision for possible future pension costs. There was more
certainty about staff pay (accounting for 60% of costs), because of the three-year pay
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settlement and the Framework Agreement calculations. The growth in fees was based on the
known Additional Student Numbers and the income from variable fees. The forecasting
process could and would be further improved next year.
Council was asked to approve the budget for revenue and capital, including £7.7m investment
in the RAE, Top 20 and Cornwall, and £37.4m in capital projects including £25m in Cornwall.
The Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) confirmed that he had confidence in the
process this year, which had been helped by the additional time spent on it and the
thoroughness. He paid tribute to Mr Lindley’s leadership.
The Treasurer joined Professor Webley in congratulating Mr Lindley for the work done on the
budget and forecasts, which were much more transparent than previously. He was satisfied
that they had been prepared with appropriate diligence, and the paper had incorporated some
changes which he had suggested. A financial housestyle was in the process of being
developed and was one that could be applied to Phase 3 of the development of the Cornwall
Campus. He also welcomed the provision for contingencies.
Points made in response to questions included the following:
(a) the 4% assumption of the effect of the Framework Agreement had been tested by a
system shared by Personnel and Finance Services, which took account of pay
protection;
(b) audits were undertaken of fuel consumption and a table in the Estate Strategy set out the
details – the University was performing quite efficiently;
(c) a £4m contribution was expected from the sale of Crossmead and £2m from Rowancroft;
(d) it was assumed that HEFCE student numbers would be achieved in 2006/07, despite the
fall in applications, although there would be a need to monitor A level entry scores
carefully;
(e) wastage rates might improve as undergraduates would fee better off financially because
they did not have to pay for tuition fees up front.
Council APPROVED the budget for 2006/07 and the financial forecast to 2009/10.
06.42
Implementing the International Strategy
This minute is Commercial in Confidence and is available to Members of Council only.
06.43
Strategy, Performance and Resources Committee
Council APPROVED recommendations arising from the minutes of meetings held on 23 May
and 28 June 2006 (CNL/06/36 and CNL/06/37) concerning the following:
(a) Budget 2006/07 and Financial Plans to 2009/10 (minute 06.50);
(b) Estate Strategy (minute 06.53);
(c) Corporate Plan 2006-2010 (minute 06.54).
MINUTE 06.39 – EDUCATION STRATEGY
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education said that she would welcome Council’s comments on
the Strategy circulated with the papers. It was, she stressed, a living document. Plans such
as those for employability, A level scores and scholarships had been worked through, and
there was now a need for a user-friendly version, bringing out the notion of key differentiators,
referred to earlier under the discussion of the Corporate Plan. Further work should take place
with the Students’ Guild with which there was a good relationship. The Top 20 targets should
be sharpened and the resources quantified. The Chair commented that this would be an
appropriate discussion item for the Council Awayday next Spring.
MINUTE 06.53 – ESTATE STRATEGY
There had of course been a workshop about the Estate Strategy, attended by most Council
members, earlier that day, but it was necessary to bring the matter formally to Council. The
Vice-Chancellor drew attention to the major issue of the future of the St Luke’s Campus, on
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which no decisions had been made and which currently housed three very successful
Schools of the University, which needed space to grow. It would be necessary to discuss
their needs with them, as part of a feasibility study exploring future options.
In discussion, points made included the following:
(a) it would be useful for Council to visit the St Luke’s site;
(b) it was important to try to avoid placing the three Schools in a situation of planning blight
for future developments, while decisions were being made;
(c) the future of PMS in Exeter was very important and should link with the Science
Strategy;
(d) stakeholders including the Students’ Guild and Convocation would be consulted as part
of the process.
MINUTE 06.55 – TOP 20 BY 2010
The Vice-Chancellor drew Council’s attention to the 15 metrics adopted and to the
comparator group, which differed from the 1994 Group. Future work would be data-led. The
gaps had been quantified, the trajectory would be defined and resources would be identified.
MINUTE 06.60 – SCIENCE STRATEGY
The Vice-Chancellor said that the Board was building the way forward for the Sciences at
Exeter. Council should be forewarned that numbers would be brought in due course to give
meaning to the developments described and this should be seen in terms of the budget
statements considered earlier in the meeting.
The developments would be part of a
balanced strategy, but it was crucial to achieve the right result for Science. The Deputy ViceChancellor Education confirmed that there was excellent Science, Engineering and Medicine
in the University but it was small in scale and needed to be developed. The Chair saw this as
a major issue on which progress should be reported to the Council Awayday next Spring.
06.44
Physical Resources Committee
Council RECEIVED the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2006 (CNL/06/38).
06.45
Human Resources Committee
Council APPROVED a recommendation concerning the Tuition Refund Scheme (minute
06.13) contained in the minutes of the meeting held on 2 May 2006 (CNL/06/39).
06.46
Staff Liaison Committee
Council RECEIVED the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2006 (CNL/06/40).
06.47
Audit Committee
Having considered the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2006 (CNL/06/41), Council
APPROVED the appointment of Ernst and Young as the External Auditors for the year to 31
July 2006 (minute 06.20).
Having considered an oral report by the Chair of the Committee of the recent process of
selection of Internal Auditors, Council APPROVED the appointment of Mazars from 1 August
2006 for a two-year period, with the possibility of a two-year extension.
06.48
Council Nominations Committee
Having considered a report of the meetings held on 16 May and 7 June 2006 (CNL/06/42),
Council APPROVED recommendations concerning the following:
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(a) Membership of Council 2006/07 (16 May 2006, item 2);
(b) Appointments to Committees 2006/07 (7 June 2006, item 8);
(c) Appointments to Trusts 2006/07 (7 June 2006, item 9);
(d) Physical Resources and Safety Committees – Senate Membership (7 June 2006, item
10).
06.49
Job Specifications - Members of VCEG and Heads of Schools
Having considered a paper (CNL/06/43), Council APPROVED the job descriptions for the
following members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group:
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Resources
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Affairs
Registrar and Secretary
Finance Director
Director of Personnel and Staff Development
and for Heads of Schools.
06.50
Senate
Having considered a report of the meeting held on 3 July 2006 (CNL/06/44), Council
APPROVED recommendations concerning the following:
(a) Amendments to Statutes (item 6);
(b) Amendments to Ordinances (item 7);
(c) Amendments to Regulations and Procedures (item 8);
(d) Senate Effectiveness Review (item 9);
(e) Appointment of Associate Deans of Faculty of Postgraduate Studies (item 13).
ITEM 9 – SENATE EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW
The Chair reminded Council that the Governance Working Group had concluded that Senate
should be asked to conduct a review of its effectiveness, following Council’s review of its own
effectiveness in 2005.
The Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who had chaired the Senate review, said that it was clear
from the consultations that Senate was not working very well and that it was considered by
many to be a rubber-stamping body. There was scope for better relations with its committees
and integration with the management structures. Senate (and other members of the
University) needed to understand its responsibilities and how they differed from those of
Council. Recommendations included the introduction of an additional meeting each year and
use the “two bites of the cherry” approach which was being successfully used by Council.
Professor Webley drew particular attention to the list of policies attached to the list of Senate
responsibilities, and the Chair said that he understood that the second Pro-Chancellor,
Professor Hawker, was content with the refinements made to the policies list, showing clearly
the division of responsibility between Senate and Council.
06.51
Remuneration Committee
Council RECEIVED a paper (CNL/06/45).
4 – PERFORMANCE EXPECTATION OF SENIOR MANAGERS
The Chair informed Council that he received a regular assessment of Vice-Chancellors’
salaries and an increasing number of institutions were using performance expectations of the
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type described in the paper. There had been a discussion of the appropriateness of the
approach, and it was the intention to have a similar debate with Senior Management Group in
respect of Heads of Schools and School Managers. For the future, consideration should be
given to stretching performance beyond objectives.
The proposal was that the performance of the Vice-Chancellor and the senior team should be
evaluated by Remuneration Committee against the outturn for the year, bearing in mind the
aim to be Top 20 by 2010 and the trajectory towards achieving that goal. Also evaluated
would be the progress in regard to the strategies being led by particular individuals in the
team. There had been strong support from the Committee for this approach.
The Vice-Chancellor added that there had been quite a long discussion with the Committee.
It would be important not to damage the institution and to achieve a balanced “scorecard”: the
Committee should take an overall view. Some views had been put forward from senior
management.
06.52
Academic Promotions Committee
Having considered the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2006 (CNL/06/46), Council
APPROVED the following recommendations:
(a) Applications for Promotion to a Personal Chair (minute 06.12);
(b) Applications for Promotion to a Readership (minute 06.13).
06.53
Joint Selection Committees for Chairs
Council RECEIVED a report (CNL/06/47).
06.54
University of Exeter Foundation Trustees
Council RECEIVED the Annual Report and Accounts 2004/05 (CNL/06/48).
06.55
Lazenby Committee
Council RECEIVED the minutes of the annual meeting held on 21 February 2006
(CNL/06/49).
06.56
Ethics Committee
Council RECEIVED the Annual Report 2004/05 (CNL/06/50).
06.57
Framework Agreement
Having considered a paper (CNL/06/51), Council DECIDED to authorise the management
representatives on the Joint Negotiating Committee to negotiate with the Trade Unions with
the aim of concluding agreement on the implementation of the Framework Agreement at the
University of Exeter.
06.58
Peninsula Medical School Joint Board of Management
Council RECEIVED a paper (CNL/06/52).
MINUTE 06.14 – PENINSULA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY
Council DECIDED to endorse the creation of the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
from 1 September 2006 and the proposals for a governance model, together with
amendments to the Memorandum of Agreement.
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06.59
Innovation Centre
Having considered a paper (CNL/06/53), Council APPROVED a recommendation concerning
the Innovation Centre Phase II – Taxation Treatment.
06.60
Staff Training and Development Report 2005/06
Council RECEIVED the Staff Training and Development Report 2005/06 (CNL/06/54).
06.61
Emergency Powers in Summer Recess
Council DECIDED to empower the Chair of Council, Treasurer and Vice-Chancellor (or, in the
absence of one, the other two) to act on behalf of Council in any urgent matters which might
arise during the Summer Recess.
06.62
Powers of Selection Committees in Summer Recess
Council DECIDED to empower the Vice-Chancellor to approve recommendations of Selection
Committees in respect of academic and academic-related posts during the Summer Recess.
06.63
Affixing of the Seal of the University
Council APPROVED the affixing of the Seal of the University to the documents listed in
CNL/06/55.
06.64
Retiring Members, 31 July 2006
Council DECIDED to place on record its gratitude to all retiring members, listed in a report
(CNL/06/56), as follows:
Professor Paul Webley, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (see also minute 06.66 below)
Professor Mark R Macnair, Dean of Faculty of Undergraduates Studies
Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, Dean of Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Mr S R Bosworth OBE
Ms R King
Mr T D D Hoffman
Professor Paul Draper
Professor Nicholas J Talbot
Dr Peter M Smith
Mr L Pollard
Julia L Davey
Alain Desmier
John O’Neill
Dr R F Symes OBE.
The Chair thanked all of them for supporting him in their various ways, and also wished the
Guild President and Deputy President success in their careers and thanked them for ensuring
the continuation of the strong relationship between the University and the Guild.
06.65
Chair’s Concluding Remarks
The Chair said that 2005/06 had been a good year, with very good progress made. Despite
an initial setback on the budget, with a forecast of a reduction in the surplus by £2m (from
£3m to £1m), it was now back on track and improved financial forecasting was keeping
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Council up to date. Good progress had been made on the Estate and Education Strategies,
and would inform the work being done to achieve the Top 20 position by 2010. Investment
was continuing and Council should be encouraged by the quality of the staff joining the
University, impressed by an institution which was facing up to its problems in a strategic way.
Good work was being done in respect of the RAE and the Great Western Research project.
Metrics were in place for achieving Top 20 status. The new External Affairs Committee had
made remarkable progress in identifying the University’s relationships. The industrial dispute
and the Framework Agreement negotiations had been handled outstandingly well. The
Planning Groups were a success and the relationship between the centre and operating units
was in much better shape. The University’s influence, impact and reputation had moved
forward, helped in no small way by the Vice-Chancellor’s election as Chair of the 1994 Group
and his role on the DfES Review Group. A Governance Review had been carried out, and
the “two bites of the cherry” approach was starting to work. A new Chancellor had been
appointed.
There was still much to do, however. The Top 20 metrics needed to be embedded. Financial
flexibility had to be created. The University had to move further towards becoming an
entrepreneurial institution. The RAE had to be delivered. There should be a focus on
ensuring value for money for students, in particular regard to employability, contact hours and
their performance. More international students and postgraduate research students needed
to be recruited.
Council should congratulate the Vice-Chancellor and his team on a very good performance.
He had enjoyed his first year as Chair of Council and looked forward to 2006/07.
06.66
Thanks to Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Secretary and Senior Assistant
Registrar
Council had now to say farewell and thanks to three important servants of the University.
Professor Paul Webley, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), was leaving to take up
the post of Director and Principal of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of
London. He had been a great Deputy Vice-Chancellor and would be badly missed, although
the move was an excellent one for him. The Chair of Council had been delighted to work with
him and admired his focus on performance and his determination to make the institution
improve. He saw where things needed to be done and did them.
David Batty, Academic Secretary, was taking early retirement in September 2006. He had
joined the University in 1978, from the University of Reading. His initial responsibilities had
included operational responsibility for degree days and student car parking and he was later
Secretary to the Boards of the Faculties of Science and Engineering. He had been the
founding Secretary of Learning and Teaching Committee, servicing every meeting from 1991
to 2005. He had had responsibility for managing major student discipline cases and student
complaints, and for VIP aspects of degree days for some years. He had a close interest and
involvement in University music, organising University professional recitals for over 15 years.
He had been a pleasure to deal with, always responding co-operatively with a smile. He
would be greatly missed and Council offered its best wishes for his retirement.
Sue Odell, Senior Assistant Registrar, was also taking early retirement in September 2006.
An Exeter graduate, she had joined the staff in 1986 from the CVCP Office and had been
Secretary to Court, Council, Senate and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Group for 20 years.
She had dealt with student affairs generally since 2001, with line management responsibility
for the Disability Resource Centre and latterly the Student Counselling Service. She had been
a great help and support to him as Chair of Council, was very efficient, distilled complex
discussions into clear minutes and was always thinking ahead. Council thanked her and
offered its best wishes for her retirement.
SEO/NR
18 July 2006
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