The Council is the institution's governing body, and its administrative and financial authority. It is responsible for controlling the institution's finances, and for ensuring the proper implementation of its strategic plans, and thereby ensuring that it operates effectively within the bounds of its resources. The Council's powers are defined in the Charter and Statutes. Its members are expected to assume corporate responsibility for ensuring that it exercises these powers properly and thoroughly. The management and governance of the institution are underpinned by several fundamental principles which are set out in the report of the Dearing Committee. These include respect for institutional autonomy, and the recognition that governance should be conducted openly and be responsible to constituencies internal and external to the institution.
The Council meets at least three times per year. Members are notified of the dates of ordinary meetings before the beginning of each academic year; they are expected to make every effort to attend, and to inform the Registrar and Secretary if circumstances prevent them from attending. Members may also be invited to serve on standing committees and ad hoc committees/panels.
Members of Council, on first appointment, will receive a copy of the CUC Guide for Members of HE Governing Bodies, and are asked to familiarise themselves with its main principles and recommendations, and in particular, its "Summary of Responsibilities of Members of Governing Bodies".
A programme of induction and training is offered for members. This may consist of sessions arranged "in-house" by the institution, or by other bodies or agencies on behalf of a group of HE institutions. Members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of such induction and training programmes.
Members of the Council are expected to act according to the highest standards of accountability and probity.
The Council is entrusted with public funds and therefore has a particular duty to fulfil the highest standards of corporate governance at all times and ensure that it is discharging its duties with due regard for the proper conduct of public business. Institutions of higher education were included among the public spending bodies examined by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and consequently members of governing bodies should observe the Seven Principles of Public Life drawn up by the Committee. These principles are as follows:
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 or other 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 rewards 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 interests 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.
The Council has established a register of members' interests, and all members must submit relevant information i.e. any interests that might be relevant to membership of the Council. It is intended that the register should be available for any member of the public who might wish to see it. Members area also asked to inform the institution if there is any subsequent change in their personal circumstances that might be relevant to their position as members of the Council.
Members are asked to take note of and comply with the policy of guidance on public interests disclosure. (Annex 1)