Governance News

At the last Council meeting of the 2017/2018 academic year on 29 June 2018, the Chair of Council thanked the following outgoing members for their contributions to Council and to the University:

Peter Clokey, lay member of Council since 2012 and Chair of the Audit Committee

Martin Coleman, lay member of Council since 2015 and member of the Ethics Committee

Professor John Fitzpatrick, academic staff representative since 2016

Richard Honey, lay member of Council since 2012 and member of the Safety, Health and Environment Executive Committee and the Finance and Resources Committee

Heather Norton, lay member of Council since 2015 and Chair of the Ethics Committee

Simeon Onaji, student member during 2017/2018

Dr Harshad Topiwala, lay member of Council since 2012, Chair of the Investments Committee and member of the Finance and Resources Committee and the Research and Innovation Board

Ruth Wilkinson, President of Kent Union during 2017/2018

Council wished them all well in their future endeavours.

On 23 March 2018 a meeting of the University Council was held at the University’s Medway Campus.  Council received presentations over lunch on HESA Data Futures and the University’s vision for Medway.

During its meeting, Council discussed the University and Colleges Union (UCU) dispute and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, led a discussion on Innovation.

Council approved the revised Terms of Reference for the Finance and Resources Committee, the revised Terms of Reference for the Remuneration Committee and the Senior Reward Policy, the proposed amendment to Ordinance 41 on Redundancy, the revised Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, the revised Fraud Prevention and Response Policy and Procedure, the revised Whistleblowing Policy and the new Anti-Money Laundering Policy.  Council also approved the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Annual Report for 2016/2017 and a recommendation that the student representation on Council be increased by one place for a postgraduate student.  Council received the annual Report of the Fundraising Co-ordination Committee.

On 16 February 2018 Council held its annual Strategy Day in Darwin College.

Topics included a presentation by the Vice-Chancellor and President on Challenges for the Higher Education Sector, a presentation on the Office for Students and discussions on refreshing the University Plan, strategy development and risk.  The meeting ended with a tour of the Sibson Building.

The meeting of the University’s Court on Friday 26 January 2018 was well-attended, with members of Court gathering for refreshments before the meeting started. It was the first meeting of the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Karen Cox.

Sir David Warren, Chair of the University Council, chaired Court; the Vice-Chancellor gave a presentation on the Annual Review for 2016/2017 and her outlook for the future; Bob Scruton, Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee, presented the Financial Statements for 2016/2017 and draft Standing Orders were approved following minor amendments.

Dr Peter Nicholls, Dean of KentHealth, gave a presentation on medical research and education and reported that the University had made a bid for medical school places, in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) which, if successful, would result in the establishment of a Kent and Medway Medway School. Dr Nicholls’ presentation was very well-received.

Council met on 29 November 2017 and approved the 2016/2017 Financial Statements and the statutory reports/returns for submission to HEFCE by 1 December 2017.

Council also considered and discussed the University’s Key Performance Indicators and the Annual Report on Risk Management and received reports from the Senate, the Honorary Degrees Committee, the Safety, Health and Environment Executive Committee, the Audit Committee and the Finance and Resources Committee.

Council approved an updated Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement, which will be published on the University website, and budgets for additional space for sciences and an upgrade of the central boiler house on the Canterbury campus, to include replacing the existing boilers and introducing a combined heat and power engine, enabling the University to meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions.

Council held an extraordinary meeting on 21 November 2017 to discuss the University’s bid for medical places. After receiving presentations and reports, Council endorsed the strategic direction represented by the bid.

At its meeting in October 2017 Council welcomed Professor Karen Cox, the new Vice-Chancellor and President; Ruth Wilkinson, the President of Kent Union, and Simeon Onaji, the student member of Council for 2017/2018, to their first meeting.

Council considered reports on the University’s bid for medical places and on the National Student Survey and received a presentation from Ruth Wilkinson on the new Kent Union Strategy and a briefing from Professor Sarah Vickerstaff on Athena SWAN.

At the last Council meeting of the 2016/2017 academic year on 30 June 2017, the Chair of Council thanked the outgoing members for their contributions to Council and to the University.  These were Ann Sutton, lay member of Council since 2011, Stevie Spring, lay member of Council since 2015, Rory Murray, President of Kent Union, and Sarah Hankins, student member during 2016/2017.  Council wished them all well in their future endeavours.

The final meeting of Council for the 2016/2017 academic year was held on Friday 30 June 2017.  Council received a presentation on the Graduate School and discussed the Annual Report on Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity 2015/2016.  This was followed by the Council annual dinner at which a presentation was made to the Vice-Chancellor by members and former members at Council, as this was her last Council meeting.

On 31 March 2017 a meeting of the University Council was held at the University’s Medway Campus.  Council received a presentation on research and the REF and the Annual Report of the Fundraising Co-ordination Committee.  A tour of the new Student Hub at Medway followed the meeting.