The University Council Our values

The Council is the governing body of the University. It is responsible for the finance, estates, investments, general business of the University, and for setting the strategic direction of the institution. The Council endeavours to conduct its business in accordance with the seven principles identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership).

All members of Council are trustees of University, which is a charity, and all provide their time freely, contributing to the discussions and decision making of the organisation.

The Council continues to note the requirements of the Code of Practice on governance as set out in the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Higher Education Code of Governance (September 2020) and the Camm Review of Governance of the Universities in Wales (December 2019) and keeps these matters under review as part of the business of the Nominations & Governance Committee. The Committee received an updated action plan at each of its meeting noting progress during 2021/22. The University has now implemented the recommendations of the Camm Review (where the University was not already aligned and where it is within its powers to do so). However, it will continue to keep these matters under review.

The Council applies an approach of continuous improvements to governance and regularly reviews its effectiveness. The most recent governance effectiveness review was completed in 2018/19 and an action plan was implemented with all actions completed and reported to the Council.

A further effectiveness review has already been scheduled for 2022/23. This will be overseen by the Nominations & Governance Committee, and during the course of the Review by a smaller Strategy Group.

The matters specifically reserved to the Council for decision are set out in the Charter and the Ordinances of the University, by custom and under the Financial Management Code with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

The roles of Chancellor, Chair of Council and Pro–Chancellor are separated from the role of the University’s Chief Executive who is the Vice–Chancellor. The Council has a majority of members from outside the University, described as independent members, from whom its Chair and Deputy Chair must be drawn. Independent members give their time freely to the University. Also included in its members are members of the Senate, and members of academic and non–academic staff, as well as the Students’ Union.

The Council meets five times a year but much of its detailed work is handled initially by standing committees of the Council. The Council has five standing Committees (Finance & Strategy, Audit & Risk, Nominations & Governance, Health & Safety and People & Culture), and all Committees are formally constituted with terms of reference and membership which includes independent members of Council. The Nominations & Governance Committee requests annual assurances from each Committee that they have operated under the requirements of their Terms of Reference during the previous academic year.