Appointment of lay members of the Council
(voluntary/unremunerated appointments)
(Ref:COUNCIL18)
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 independent (‘lay’) members.
The University Council
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 Office for Students’ Terms and Conditions of Funding for Higher Education Institutions. 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 being 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, where necessary, 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 UniversitySenate 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.
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 (at least 4 of whom are required to be alumni of the University) and thus constituting the majority of the membership. Thetwenty-three 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 Council; 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-Chancellors, pro-vice-chancellor, other senior officers and the executive deans of faculty who make up the University Executive Group (UEG) but he retains ultimate responsibility for their work.)
Individual members of the Council
Duties, standards and responsibilities
The main duties and responsibilities of Members of the Council are summarised below. Although they are necessarily expressed with some formality, they are not intended to be daunting. Members of the Council are able to support each other in the discharge of their responsibilities, and in any event to seek help, advice, guidance and information from the University’s executive, in particular from the University Secretary, who acts as Secretary to the Council. Networking can thus be helpful to members in the discharge of their responsibilities; and members are invited to attend a wide range of University events, including those showcasing the University’s education and research and celebrating its achievements.
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 induction and training programmes. In total, therefore, lay members may expect to dedicate approximately ten days a year to the University’s affairs.
Values and standards
Members of the Council are expected to promote – and act in accordance with – the University’s values, and specifically to promote academic excellence within an ethical framework, respecting the University's values of integrity, equality and inclusion, community and professionalism.
In so doing, members should also abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the (then Nolan) Committee on Standards in Public Life:
Selflessness - Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or their friends.
Integrity - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts or recommending individuals for reward and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
In particular, 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.
Responsibilities and liabilities as trustees
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.
Person specification
Members must be in 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 estates and infrastructure, IT and IT security, accountancy and audit. Candidates from outside these areas should not, however, be deterred from applying.
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(including a commitment to integrity, equality and inclusion, community and professionalism);
(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)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 corporate leadership, audit and risk management, commerce, retail and other customer-focused sectors, human resources and change management, compliance and regulation (including health and safety), manufacturing and technology, the law, health, education, the public sector, the charitable and not-for-profit sectors, strategy development, sustainability and communications and the media. In particular on this occasion, the University is seeking expertise in estates and infrastructure, IT and IT security, accountancy and audit skills. Candidates from outside these areas should not, however, be deterred from applying;
(v)willingness to participate fully and constructively in discussion and debate;
(vi)appreciation of and a commitment to standards of good conduct in public life (embracing selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership);
(vii)sound and independent judgement and a belief in collective responsibility and decision making; and
(viii)an understanding of, and respect for, the distinction between governance and management.
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 multi-cultural 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.
Support and preparation
New members will need to prepare diligently for office as a member of Council, by familiarising themselves with the written induction and briefing materials made available to them, by participating in induction programmes, and through discussion with an experienced member assigned as ‘mentor’.
Similarly, members are expected to prepare appropriately for meetings.
Between and ahead of meetings, members are able to seek any information or clarification they need from the Secretary to the University, relevant executive officer, or the Chair.
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 4.00pm and usually last for up to three hours, with a buffet supper to follow. There are also normally two away days a year.
Period of appointment
The appointments to be made this year will be for a period of up to three years from 1 August 2018 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 for appointment to the Council(ref: COUNCIL18), 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 (; fax: 0113 343 3925). The closing date is29 May. (If you wish to make more than one nomination please use a separate form for each nomination.)
If yourequireany adjustmentstoenable youto fully participate in Council meetings or other events, you are very welcome to contact the Secretariat (telephone: 0113 34 34036 or email: ) 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 and Governance 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 supportmembership of Council(or Court) and as otherwise statedunder the University's Data Protection Code of Practice. A copy of this code can be consulted at
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
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. Weare committed to a wide-ranging plan of actionto 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 havepublishedour equality and diversity policies and related planswhichdemonstrate how the University will put its commitment into practice.These documents are availableon the University’s website Further information and adviceis available from the University's Equality Service (telephone: 0113 343 3927 oremail:).
Nomcttee1718/information sheet 2018
Application for appointment as a lay memberof the University Council /
Please complete in type or black ink
Family Name / Title (Dr, Mr, Miss, Ms, Prof, Other)First name(s)
Address
Tel. No. (Home): / Tel. No. (Work):
Mobile No. : / E-mail :
Qualifications (including date(s) of award(s) and name(s) of awarding bodies)
Experience and Training (including dates of present/previous employment)
Note: Please use continuation sheet(s) as necessary
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Other comments (with particular reference to the specific skills, abilities and relevant expertise which the applicant might be expected to bring to the governance of the University)Note: Please use continuation sheet(s) as necessary
Please note that applications may also be considered for vacancies on the Court; the mechanism for - and symbol of - the University’s accountability to the wider community.
How did you learn about the vacancy? …………………………………………………………...
Signature of applicant ...... ………......
Date ...... ……….
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