ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE UNION
Minutes: Committee Meeting
Date: Wednesday 07 September 2016
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Venue: Taylor A36
In Attendance: Adam Price (Chair), David Anderson, Derek Dawson, Alan Fenwick, Isobel Ford, Karolin Hijazi, Bill Harrison, Andrew Macgregor, Andrew Mackillop, Dannette Marie, Mike McConnell, Keith O’Sullivan, Frederik Pedersen, Rachel Shanks (from 150), Michael Wolfindale
Apologies: Mandy Murray, Ruth Payne, Fiona Stewart, David Watts
Minutes: Susan Melvin
1. Minutes of meeting on 24 August 2016 and matters arising
Approved and all matters arising will be dealt with under the agenda
2. Items for routine approval/to note
a) Report from Catering Forum – David McCausland:
· There was some discussion of the implications of the new student union provision in the former hub. The Tiki outlet will be replaced by a new bar, which will additionally serve alcohol and hot food until 9pm, and open on Sep 5.
· There will be some rearrangement of outlets at first floor level – the traditional counter will be split into two to enable an enhanced carvery and relocated in the former empty unit at the far left, the Mexican food counter will thus be able to move into the former traditional outlet on the far right and be enhanced with noodle based offerings, and Chicago town will be replaced by a pastry/pie/hot dog outlet.
· There are continuing recruitment issues in attracting high quality chefs given the on-shore wages we offer in comparison to off-shore rates previously enjoyed by many potential applicants. An innovative apprenticeship scheme with St Machar Academy is being progressed to bring in and train up fresh young talent.
· The new Hillhead outlets will open on 3 September, opening 5-9 for food and 5-11 for bar (plus brunch at weekends), and a new shop will replace JG Ross, also selling hot food and branded coffee
b) Volunteer to attend UCUS Exec meetings: Frederik Pedersen agreed to fill this role.
c) Actions from GM on 31 Aug
· Contact Mary for advice on “protective award” – Mackie will contact Mary, and will also ask for advice from an accountant to analyse University accounts (as per Court papers)
· Is Library a “core service”? This will be raised as an item at PNCC. It was noted that there is a recruitment pause in force within Professional Services at the moment.
· Where is money going vs where is money coming from? It was suggested that a comparison of savings/cuts across the Professional Services directorates might be helpful for background information – Derek to request that David Beattie, Director of Finance, attend JCCRA to explain. (If he is willing, request that DB also attend a branch committee meeting to brief branch officers. If not, ask that presentation notes from JCCRA be made available to committee and/or members).
3. Items for discussion
a) Calais Jungle Camp: Committee agreed that a £30 donation would be made from the branch. Andrew Macgregor will look into provision of surplus books from the Library. Frederik and Karolin will draft a letter to the Principal suggesting University support in similar terms to their support for Palestinian students via SUSPS (Scottish Universities Supporting Palestinian Students).
b) Jump Digital – Mike McConnell/Rachel Shanks: Concerns were raised that the University’s engagement with Jump Digital to deliver courses could be the start of “privatisation by the back door”. It was agreed that committee members would contact Senators in the first instance to raise this concern. Rachel will draft a form of words for committee members to use.
c) Contribution to LRD publication on Capability & Performance Management: Mike will email caseworkers to ask for examples that could be used by LRD.
d) UCU to provide CPD Courses: it was agreed that the first CPD course (“Moving into a Leadership Role”) would be held on Wed 23 November to tie in with recruitment week. This will only be available to members. Rachel and Susan to organise.
4. Standing items
a) Employee Engagement: the final meeting of the EE groups takes place shortly.
b) 9-day fortnight: this was formally approved before being rolled out. No further action required.
c) JCCRA updates – Derek gave a confidential report on the most recent JCCRA meeting. Committee noted a formal vote of thanks to those who have attended the JCCRA meetings as this has involved a lot of work.
d) PNCC: No report
e) Policy Reviews
· Terms & Conditions: Mackie and Rachel are now working on the non-IPR issues.
· Bullying & Harassment: No report.
· Recruitment Review Group: No report.
f) USS: No report.
g) ATUC: No report.
h) Health & Safety: No report.
i) Equalities:
· Reserved places on committee – attendance ratios today female 4:male 11.
j) Environment: No report
k) Facilities time: Mackie is still in discussion re facilities time for caseworkers.
l) Workload: Adam has a workload item for discussion and will email committee for comments.
m) Casework: There was a short casework group meeting this morning. Susan will email caseworkers with advice and send reminder to members re access to casework services.
n) Governance: No report.
5. AOB
a) Committee noted a huge vote of thanks to branch officers who have now demitted from office.
b) Next committee meeting will be held at 1pm on Wednesday 21 September in Taylor A36.
ACTIONS
Mackie
o Contact Mary to ask for advice re “protective awards” and for accountancy support to analyse University accounts (in Court papers) – previous committee minutes (2c)
o Item for PNCC – is Library a “core service”?
o Ask for details of Resource Allocation Model and how figures relate to School budget targets
Derek
o Request that David Beattie, Director of Finance, attend JCCRA to explain. (If he is willing, request that DB also attend a branch committee meeting to brief branch officers. If not, ask that presentation notes from JCCRA be made available to committee and/or members). (2c)
Andrew Macg
o Surplus books to Calais Jungle Camp – investigate (3a)
Frederik & Karolin
o Draft letter to Principal re Calais Jungle Camp (3a)
Rachel
o Draft form of words for committee members to use when contacting Senators re Jump Digital (3b)
o Arrange CPD course for Wed 23 November (3d)
Mike
o Email caseworkers for egs of use of Capability Procedure and/or Performance Management for LRD (3c)
Adam
o Email committee with workload info request (4l)
Susan
o Send out casework advice/updates (4m)
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