here - University of Leeds

Appointment of lay members of the Council
(voluntary/unremunerated appointments)
(Ref:COUNCIL15)
Introduction
The University is seeking applications and nominations in order to draw up a list of suitably
qualified and experienced individuals for a small number of appointments to be made later
this year, and possibly over the next one or two years, to the University Council. The
vacancies are for unpaid lay members (those who are neither employees nor students of the
University).
Members of Council – Role Description
As the governing body of the University, the Council has a collective responsibility to
promote the University’s wellbeing and to ensure its sustainability. In brief, the Council is
responsible for approving corporate strategy and associated plans and budgets; for
determining major business decisions and corporate policy; for the framework of governance
and management; and for monitoring institutional and executive performance. The Council
also has a number of specific financial responsibilities under the University Statutes and
under the Memorandum of Assurance and Accountability between the University and the
Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). The responsibilities of the Council
include:
(a) approval or modification of the University’s mission and objectives, and strategic and operational
plans to meet those objectives (including academic, financial, physical, staffing and capital
strategies), and the underlying values and principles that shape the work of the University;
(b) approval or modification of the main features of the University’s overall governance and
management structures, its systems of risk management, internal financial management and
control and accountability, and its financial regulations and procedures;
(c) approval or modification of the overall constitutional and organisational structures and shape of
the University;
(d) monitoring and evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the University against
approved plans, key performance indicators and benchmarking data for comparable institutions
(e) approval of the University’s annual general revenue budget and the main features of the
mechanisms for allocating resources within that budget;
(f) approval of major projects and business proposals;
(g) approval of the University’s annual statement of accounts;
(h) approval or modification of the main features of the University’s employment policies and
procedures (the Council is the employing authority for all staff within the institution); and approval
or modification of the University’s policy on health and safety, and other significant University
policies, and to satisfy itself that arrangements are in place for the implementation of those
policies;
(i) appointment of the Pro-Chancellor and Deputy Pro-Chancellor;
(j)
appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and other executive officers and, where necessary, their
removal;
(k) appointment of the lay members of the Council, and removal of members of the Council;
(l) making nominations to the office of Chancellor; and;
(m) ensuring that University business is conducted in accordance with best practice in corporate
governance within higher education, and with the principles of public life laid down by the
Committee on Standards in Public Life.
The Council is supported by a number of committees (including the Audit and Risk
Committee and the Health and Safety Committee) which report to it on a regular basis.
Part of the Council’s role in corporate governance is to satisfy itself that work being
undertaken on its behalf, whether by committees or officers, is consistent with the strategic
and policy framework laid down by the Council and that such work is sensible, legal,
constitutional, economical, efficient and effective.
As the body with ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the University’s affairs, the Council
has to maintain an overview of the University’s performance over the whole range of its
activities.
The University Senate is responsible to the Council for the academic governance of the
University, including regulating the admission of students; the curriculum and assessment,
maintenance and enhancement of academic standards; and the award of degrees and other
qualifications. In addition to its responsibilities for academic governance, the Senate has an
advisory role extending across most aspects of the University’s work. It also has a role in
serving as a two-way channel of communication, thus underpinning collegiality; and is
responsible in particular for advising the Council on academic and related strategies.
The University Court, which has about 90 members (the majority lay) serves as a
mechanism for – and a symbol of – the University’s accountability to the wider community; it
normally meets twice a year.
Composition of the Council
The Council consists of 23 members, who represent a mixture of internal and external (or
‘lay’) members, the latter category containing 14 members (4 of whom are required to be
alumni of the University) and thus constituting the majority of the membership. The twentythree members include two ex-officio members; six members elected by different staff
groups within the University; a nominee of the Clothworkers’ Company of London; twelve
lay members appointed by the University Court; and two students.
The two ex-officio members are the Chair of Council and the Vice-Chancellor of the
University.
The (lay) Chair of the Council is the Pro-Chancellor, Mr David Gray, Former CEO and
Chairman of Eversheds International.
The Vice-Chancellor, Sir Alan Langlands, is the chief executive and senior academic officer
of the University, formally responsible to the Council – within a prescribed framework – for
the operational management of all aspects of the University’s work. (The Vice-Chancellor
has delegated responsibility for specific aspects of the University’s management to the
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, pro-vice-chancellors, other senior officers and the deans of faculty
who make up the University Executive Group (UEG) but he retains ultimate responsibility for
their work.)
Individual members
All members of Council are expected to take decisions only in the interests of the University
as a whole, not to advance the interests of one particular part of the institution or of an
external constituency or private individual. All members of Council are required to complete
an entry in the University’s Register of Interests.
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Members of the Council have responsibilities analogous to those of the trustees of a charity.
Assuming that they act in accordance with the precepts set out in guidance given to
members on appointment, it is unlikely that any personal liability will arise for members; and
in any case the University has an insurance policy against the costs of any claims of
negligence that might be made against members of the Council in carrying out their duties.
In accordance with the provisions of charities legislation, no individual should accept (or
continue in) membership of the Council if he or she

has been convicted at any time of any offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the
conviction is legally regarded as spent; or

is an undischarged bankrupt; or

has at any time been removed by the Charity Commissioners or by the court from being a
charitable trustee because of misconduct or mismanagement; or

is disqualified from serving as a company director.
Council meetings
The Council currently meets six times a year (on Thursdays), at approximately two-monthly
intervals. Meetings, which are held at the University, begin at 4.00 p.m. and usually last for
up to three hours, with a buffet supper to follow.
Person specification
Individual lay members are not only expected to contribute – by attending and participating
fully in Council meetings – to the Council’s collective discharge of its role and responsibilities
as the University’s governing body, but are also normally given the opportunity (and indeed
are encouraged) to serve on one or more of the University’s committees, including those set
up to appoint professors and staff of equivalent status. Members are also expected to be
willing to participate in appropriate internal/external induction and training programmes. In
total, therefore, lay members may expect to dedicate approximately ten days a year to the
University’s affairs.
A handbook produced by the Committee of University Chairs (the national body of chairs of
governing bodies) succinctly describes the role of lay members of a governing body as being
to ‘question intelligently, debate constructively, challenge rigorously … decide
dispassionately, and … listen sensitively’. To this end, the desirable attributes include:
(i) a broad general understanding and belief in the aims and values of higher education;
(ii) empathy with the values and vision of the University;
(iii) the ability to think strategically and to absorb, evaluate and question oral and written material on a
wide range of educational, financial, property, legal, governance and business matters;
(iv) willingness to participate fully and constructively in discussion and debate;
(v) appreciation of and a commitment to standards of good conduct in public life (embracing
selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and honesty) and to equal
opportunities good practice;
(vi) sound and independent judgement and a belief in collective responsibility and decision-making;
(vii) an understanding of, and respect for, the distinction between governance and management and;
(viii) possession of specialist expertise and experience at an appropriately senior level in one or more
areas relevant to the Council’s role and remit. These areas include education, human resources,
finance, property, legal and health and safety matters, and corporate responsibilities. On this
occasion the University is interested in identifying individuals who could bring to the
Council experience in the health sector, or executive experience within a national charity.
Candidates from outside these areas should not, however, be deterred from applying
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Whilst most Council members are resident in the Leeds region, this is not a prerequisite.
However, candidates should satisfy themselves that distance is not going to debar them
from playing a full part in the work of the Council. The University is proud to be a multicultural community. It values diversity, and is determined to ensure that it treats all
individuals fairly, with dignity and respect; that the opportunities it provides are open to all;
and that it provides a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all. To ensure that its
bodies are representative of the wider community, the University would particularly welcome
applications from, or the nomination of, women, black or minority ethnic (BME) and disabled
candidates.
Period of appointment
The appointments to be made this year will be for a period of up to three years from 1
August 2015 and may be extended for a further term of up to three years.
Expenses
The appointments do not carry any fees or other remuneration but travel costs incurred in
connection with Council and other University business may be claimed.
Other information
Background information about the University is given in the Annex.
Appointing process
If you wish to apply – or to suggest a third party – for appointment to the Council
(ref: COUNCIL15), please complete the form included with this pack. This should be
returned to the Secretariat, Room 11/72, E C Stoner Building, University of Leeds,
Leeds, LS2 9JT ([email protected]; fax: 0113 343 3925). The closing
date is 12.00 noon on 17 April 2015. (If you wish to make more than one nomination
please use a separate form for each nomination.)
If you require any adjustments to enable you to fully participate in Council meetings or other
events, you are very welcome to contact the Secretariat (telephone: 0113 34 34036 or email:
[email protected]) to enable us to make any arrangements as appropriate, if
your application is successful.
You are also welcome to contact us if you require this document in large print, in an
alternative format (e.g. braille, large print or audio), or if you would like to come along and
review access to the University's premises.
The Nominating Committee is canvassing widely for suggestions, and the pool of candidates
considered for appointment will not be restricted to those whose names come forward in
response to advertisement.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet members of the Nominating Committee.
Applications/nominations submitted for appointment to the Council may also be considered
for Court membership.
Data Protection
The data controller is the University of Leeds. Information about nominees or from
applicants who are not appointed will be disposed of confidentially within 6 months. In the
case of the person appointed, information and future data will be processed to
support membership of Council (or Court) and as otherwise stated under the University's
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Data Protection Code of Practice. A copy of this code can be consulted at
http://campus.leeds.ac.uk/dpa/code.htm.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
The persons appointed will be required to comply with the provisions of the Health and
Safety at Work Act, related Regulations and the University’s Health and Safety Policy which
can be accessed via http://www.leeds.ac.uk/safety/.
Equality and Diversity Statement
Inclusiveness is a fundamental and core value of the University of Leeds, and we recognise
how important it is to work effectively across campus to create a culture in which all
members of staff and students are treated fairly and able to fulfil their potential within a
welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment. We are committed to a wide-ranging plan
of action to tackle unlawful discrimination on grounds of gender, race (including colour,
nationality, national origin and ethnic origin), disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation
and age.
We have published our equality and diversity policies and related plans which demonstrate
how the University will put its commitment into practice. These documents are available on
the University’s website www.equality.leeds.ac.uk. Further information and advice is
available from the University's Equality Service (telephone: 0113 343 3927 or email:
[email protected]).
Nomcttee1415/information sheet 2015
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Annex
Background Information : The University of Leeds
With its antecedents dating back to 1831, the University of Leeds is one of the leading
institutions in higher education in the UK, respected worldwide for the quality of its teaching
and research. It is also one of the largest in the UK: it has some 8000 staff and in excess of
32,000 students (almost 15 per cent of whom are international students). In 2013-14, the
University’s turnover exceeded £587million. With around 570 buildings, the University’s
estate is also one of the largest in the sector. The campus, occupying 98 acres, is situated
approximately one mile to the north of Leeds city centre.
Its size and international reputation enable the University to offer one of the widest ranges of
academic courses in the UK, with over 550 different first-degree and 300 postgraduate
degree programmes. In over a century of teaching, the University has played a leading part
in the development of modern higher education in this country. As well as continually
strengthening core academic disciplines, the University has also developed distinctive areas
of specialist expertise in rarer subjects. In addition, it offers a wide choice of interdisciplinary
degrees.
Internationally acknowledged as a centre of excellence for its research in a wide range of
academic and professional disciplines, Leeds is one of the top members of the Russell
Group of research-intensive universities. Its broad research skills base and superb facilities
attract interest from major multinational and small local businesses alike. Many of its
research initiatives cross traditional subject boundaries and are pursued through an
extensive range of interdisciplinary institutes and centres. Research grants and contracts
income in 2013-14 was £132 million. The University has a strong reputation for enterprise
and knowledge transfer. There are a number of University spin-out companies and many
academic staff are involved in applied research or consultancy contracts with industry and
the public sector.
In 2014 the University refreshed the Strategic Plan for 2014:2020. The creation,
dissemination and application of knowledge remain at the heart of the University’s ambition,
in addition to providing a wide range of opportunities for students and staff, ensuring
excellence in every aspect of student education, research and innovation and promoting
enterprise and creativity.
The University is committed to ensuring that it is accessible to everyone who can benefit,
regardless of age or background. To this end, the University has in place a range of
initiatives designed to help recruit students from all walks of life who demonstrate the ability,
motivation and potential to succeed in higher education.
Set out below, the University’s values are integral to the way in which it functions, by
informing its approach to fulfilling its responsibilities and providing a frame of reference to
guide decisions.
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Academic excellence: knowledge, academic freedom, critical independence, creativity,
innovation, world-class performance
Community: public service and citizenship; collegiality, teamwork and mutual respect
Integrity: openness, transparency and honesty
Inclusiveness: diversity, equal opportunity and access
Professionalism: provision of effective and efficient customer-focused services in all
aspects of our work (internally and externally)
Further information about the University is available at www.leeds.ac.uk.
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