The following issues were discussed at the Council meeting.

Effectiveness Review of Council

Council received an update on progress on appointing consultants to undertake the Effectiveness Review of Council. An announcement has now been made. Council reaffirmed confidence in its Chair by defeating a vote of No Confidence.

HEFCE Enquiry report

Council discussed the report on the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) enquiry into governance relating to remuneration and agreed to take action on all the recommendations made in the report and agreed further immediate changes.

Court

Council agreed that an additional meeting of Court would be held during the current academic year, with the first meeting brought forward to January and the second in June.

Financial reports and HEFCE returns

Council approved the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2017, noting the positive independent auditor’s report. It approved the financial forecasts for 2017/18 for submission to HEFCE. Council also approved the submission of the Annual Assurance return and the Annual Sustainability Assurance report for 2017 to HEFCE.

Audit

Council approved the Annual Report of the Audit Committee and the Internal Audit Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2017. Prevent Policy - Council approved the Prevent annual report and risk assessment, as required by the Government’s Prevent Duty guidance and counter-terrorism legislation.

Whistleblowing

Council noted that no reports had been made under the Public Interest Disclosure procedure in the academic year 2016/17.

Governance

Council considered and noted the annual self-assessment report on compliance with the Committee of University Chairs’ Higher Education Code of Governance.

IAAPS

Council approved the full business case for the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) and the financial investment for the project.

School of Management Building

Council approved the financial investment for the construction of a new building for the School of Management (subject to planning permission).

Council nominations

Council appointed Mr John Preston as Treasurer from 1 January 2018 for three years.

Deans

Council approved the re-appointment of Professor Veronica Hope-Hailey as Dean and Head of the School of Management and Professor Gary Hawley as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design, both from 1 August 2018.

Ordinance 14

Council approved an amendment to Ordinance 14.11 regarding the presentation of postgraduate research students at award ceremonies.