The following issues were discussed at the Council meeting.

Finance

Council approved revised financial forecasts for 2018/19.

Audit and Risk Assurance

Council approved the re-appointment of PwC as external auditor for the 2018-19 audit. It also approved the re-assessment of the likelihood and impact of the key risks to the University and noted the format of a new operational risk register.

Internationalisation

Council approved a new International Strategy 2019 to 2021.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Council approved a new Statement of Equality Objectives 2019 to 2021.

Human Resources

Council discussed a report from the Director of Human Resources on anti-casualization of staff.

Teaching Excellence Framework

Council approved a response recommended by Senate to the call for views on an independent review of the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework.

Student Applications

Council discussed the admissions figures for 2018/19 and applications for 2019/20.

Effectiveness Review

Council approved several recommendations from the Effectiveness Review Steering Group, including:

  • to make every effort to ensure a lay majority at all scheduled meetings of Council

  • to place all its confirmed minutes on the University’s website unless there was a compelling reason for redacting or withholding information from publication

  • that the Council place for a member appointed by Convocation be renamed as a tenth lay member, but that one of the lay members be a University of Bath alumna/alumnus, subject to necessary Statute changes

  • that a Stakeholder Engagement Steering Group be formed to conduct the Review of Stakeholder Engagement Strategy; expressions of interest to be sought from Members of Court who were not Members of Council to fill up to three places on the Stakeholder Engagement Steering Group; that the four members of Council on the Stakeholder Engagement Steering Group be John Preston (Chair), Ruth Foreman, Christine Gibbons and Charlotte Moar

Chair of Council

Mrs Pamela Chesters CBE was appointed as Chair of Council from 8 April 2019 for three years.

Staffing Issues

Council discussed a report from the Director of Human Resources on anti-casualization of staff.

Students’ Union governance

Council received suggested amendments to the proposed revised Articles of the Students’ Union and approved the revised Articles, subject to a positive student referendum result.

Calendars of Committee meetings

Council approved the calendars of meetings for 2019/20 and 2020/21.