Council

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Purpose

The Council is the governing body of the University, established in Charter and Statutes.

The powers of Council are set out in Statute 6 and Ordinance 4, Section 4.4.

The Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the Council reflects the powers and responsibilities that the Council of the University of Warwick derives from the University Statutes.

The Code of Practice for Corporate Governance summarises the decisions taken by the Council relating to corporate governance.

The Scheme of Delegation outlines the responsibilities and delegated authorities for making key decisions in the name of, or on behalf of, the University of Warwick, including the powers reserved to and delegated from the Council.

Ordinance 4.4: Powers of the Council

Subject to the Charter and Statutes, the Council will have the following powers, duties and functions:

Charitable Purpose and Strategy

(1) To oversee the work of the University and to ensure the advancement of the charitable objectives of the University, in partnership with the Senate as appropriate.

(2) To approve and oversee progress towards the University mission, vision and strategy.

(3) To determine the risk appetite of the University and to monitor strategic risk identification and management.

(4) To monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the University against its plans and approved key performance indicators.

(5) To receive and test assurance through reports from the Senate and the Council and joint Senate-Council Subcommittees relating to their respective remits and in line with the University’s strategic plans, including key performance indicators and risk assessment as appropriate.

Governance

(6) To approve amendments to the Statutes and Ordinances, subject to the provisions of the Charter.

(7) To approve new and revised academic and related Ordinances on the recommendation of the Senate. The Council may delay or disallow any Regulations made by the Senate that engage matters of concern to the Council.

(8) To approve the establishment of Faculties and Departments on the recommendation of the Senate.

(9) To approve the establishment of degrees on the recommendation of the Senate.

(10) To approve matters relating to promoting, maintaining and protecting the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech, in partnership with the Senate.

(11) To approve matters relating to the ethical governance of the University.

(12) To approve amendments to the constitution of the Students’ Union.

(13) To approve the selection of a Seal, Arms and a Mace for the University and to control the custody and use of the Seal.

People Matters

(14) To approve the appointment of:

a. The Chair and Vice-Chair of Council

b. Members of the Council, as provided for under Statute 5.

c. The Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellors, the Vice-Chancellor, the Treasurer and the Secretary to Council, after consultation with the Senate where prescribed.

(15) To approve the Remuneration Policy Framework and to oversee the salaries and conditions of tenure of posts to which it appoints.

(16) To approve matters affecting the employment for all University staff and, on the recommendation of Senate, matters relating to the appointment, duties, promotion and conditions of services of all members of the Academic Staff.

(17) To approve matters relating to student welfare/wellbeing, student support and the student experience, in consultation with the Senate.

Financial Matters

(18) To have overall responsibility for the University’s assets, investments, property and physical estate and to approve the University’s annual capital and revenue budget, financial plan and annual financial statements.

(19) To approve the sale, purchase, exchange, lease and accept leases of real and personal property on behalf of the University.

(20) To approve loans and borrowings in line with the University’s annual budget and financial plan, on the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

(21) To approve proposals relating to investment in the University’s subsidiary and related entities, on the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

(22) To accept transfers of all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of the Trustees of the University of Warwick Foundation being the Trustees for the time being under the Declaration of Trust dated the twenty-fourth day of October one thousand nine hundred and sixty-two, and any later revisions or amendments thereto.

Other

(23) The Council should review the discharge of its responsibilities, including through its Subcommittees on a regular basis and no less often than every three years.

(24) Generally to exercise all such powers as are or may be conferred on the Council by the Charter and Statutes, including the power to make Ordinances in the exercise of those powers of the Council.

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Reporting Structure

The following Committees report directly to the Council:

Art Collection Committee
Audit and Risk Committee
University Estate and Environment Committee
Finance and General Purposes Committee
Fundraising Ethics Committee
Nominations Committee
Remuneration Committee

The following are joint Committees of the Senate and the Council:

Social Inclusion Committee (formerly the Equality and Diversity Committee)
Honorary Degrees Committee
Research Governance and Ethics Committee

Click here to see a diagrammatic representation of the Committee Structure.

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Secretariat

Secretary to Council: Dr Chris Twine, University Secretary

Head of Governance: Katharine Gray, Head of Governance Services

Assistant Secretary: Sophie Black, Governance Manager

Please use universitycouncil at warwick dot ac dot uk in the first instance to make contact with the Council Secretariat.

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Timetable for Submission and Report Templates

The Secretary should be notified of items of business for the Council four weeks in advance of its meeting.

Link to Council paper submission deadlines.

Templates should be requested from the Secretariat.

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Meetings

Dates of meetings of the Council can be found within the University Committee Timetable.

Link to Public Council agendas and minutes of previous meetings.

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