UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY DUAL ASSURANCE
A meeting of the Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability Dual Assurance was held on 15
December at 2.00pm in the John Usher Room, Northcote House.
PRESENT: P Lacey, H McCann, P Attwell, L Moore, A Connolly
APOLOGIES: J Kay, J Marshall
Lianne Moore
Executive PA to the Director of Campus Services
AGENDA
1.
Minutes
An amendment was made to the draft minutes (item 3 para 7).
2.
Matters/Actions Arising from the October 2015 meeting (not elsewhere on the agenda)
The Sustainability Strategy for 2015-2020 has now been approved by VCEG and will now go to the
December Council meeting.
AC advised that discussions to identify a suitable Chair for Sustainability Vision & Change Agent
Group took place at VCEG and it was suggested that an academic from Cornwall’s Environment and
Sustainability Institute be approached. K Gallagher will make initial contact.
Minute Action
No.
4
KG to provide action plan, revised
risk register and approve
quantitative environmental
performance targets at March
meeting.
4
KG to work with Procurement to
obtain a revised Sustainable
Procurement Strategy (inc value
chain requirements ISO14001) for
the June meeting.
8
PA, HM, AC to meet to discuss the
Master Plan followed by a briefing
to JK/JM and then Capital Strategy.
Owner
Status
KG
C/Fwd to March
Meeting
KG
C/Fwd June
Meeting
PA/HM/AC
Addressed in item 6
Matters/Actions Arising from the November 2015 meeting (not elsewhere on the agenda)
HM prepared a briefing document for the University meeting with Exeter City Council. PL advised
that the document was not discussed fully at the meeting, however, it was referred to and K Hassan
gave commitment that R Short will stay in close contact with HM regarding feedback on
amendments. R Short has since approached HM with some questions. It was noted that there
were discussions around G Oughton’s view on student accommodation and HMOs at the meeting
and it was unclear as to why the Guild was not represented by Sabbatical Officers .
3.
Residence Strategy Update
PA advised that the Residence Strategy Working Group will meet again in Jan/Feb 2016 and outline
planning permission will be obtained, with Council approval.
PA noted that it would not be possible to address backlog maintenance in residences until East Park
is complete.
It was agreed that the Capital Strategy needs to identify the business needs of the University and
opportunities. PL believed that student experience / student accommodation on campus needs to
be accepted as principals and captured within the Capital Strategy.
PA aims to deliver a Residence Strategy proposal to Council at the end of April 2016.
4.
Cornwall Campus Update
Falmouth met with their agents in London yesterday regarding residences documentation and
preparation of the OJEU notice in January. Falmouth have discussed with Exeter a ‘without
prejudice’ statement regarding Exeter’s bedroom requirements in Cornwall. Falmouth will pursue a
demand risk deal (no guarantee to fill rooms), however it is unclear whether the market will support
this. Exeter is not presently interested in investment in student bedrooms in Cornwall but aim to
facilitate Falmouth where we can (can use land etc.,) but without any commitment to a financial
deal.
The Exeter and Falmouth Strategic Partnership met in November to discuss a number of matters,
including residential accommodation. Exeter stated at the meeting that they were unconvinced
regarding Falmouth predicted numbers. Concerns regarding the impact of Falmouth’s planned
growth on the student experience were also discussed.
AC was of the view that should Falmouth wish to pursue with only 500 rooms they will need to
ensure that the reception etc., is able to provide for 1000 to allow for future development at a later
date.
Discussions took place regarding the current agreement with Falmouth regarding a 50/50 split of
infrastructure costs. It was noted that clarity is needed on the FX Plus costs, risk sharing, funding
etc., as Falmouth have a greater number of students. PA noted that asymmetrical funding and
capital receipt was discussed briefly at the Exeter and Falmouth Strategic Partnership meeting in
November.
PA noted that the current agreement with Falmouth is such that a defined perimeter of the campus
has been earmarked as shared land, to ensure there are no bidding wars between the two
institutions. PA felt there was a need for further clarity and agreement with regards to land in
proximity to campus.
5.
Residential Developments in Exeter
HM noted that a large number of planning applications have been submitted to the City for student
accommodation.
6.
PRG & Capital Strategy
HM to produce an overview of plans (Master Plan, Capital Strategy Plan etc.,) explaining what they
are, the history of why how they were developed and why they should now change, an explanation
of the need to commission a new Master Plan and the relationship with these plans and PRG.
Action: HM to produce paper to present to January VCEG.
7.
Any Other Business
AC noted that INTO developments are unlikely to influence the Master Plan, Residence Strategy, or
Capital Strategy.
Action: The remit of I&E Dual Assurance is to be reviewed at the next meeting.
Date of Next Meeting
9 February 2pm John Usher