Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the Council

This Statement is based on the Model Statement contained in the Higher Education (HE) Code of Governance published by the Chairs of University Committees (CUC) in September 2020, adapted to reflect the powers and responsibilities that the Council of the University of Warwick derives from the University Statutes.

The Council is the governing body of the University and its members are the trustees in relation to the University’s status as an exempt charity. Subject to the powers of the Senate as provided for in the University Statutes, it has ultimate responsibility for the affairs of the University. It is responsible for reviewing the work of the University and taking such steps as it thinks proper for the purpose of advancing the interests of the University, maintaining its efficiency, encouraging teaching, the pursuit of learning and the prosecution of research and providing for the recreation and wellbeing of students.

Consistent with the University’s constitution, the primary responsibilities of the University Council are as follows:

1. To enable the University to achieve and develop its mission and primary objectives of learning, teaching and research.
2. To approve and keep under review the University’s long-term strategic plans and, on the recommendation of Senate, its education and student experience, research and other academic strategies, including key performance indicators; ensuring that these meet the interests of the University’s stakeholders and beneficiaries, especially staff, students and alumni.
3. To ensure that processes are in place to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the University against its plans and approved key performance indicators. Where possible and appropriate, these shall be benchmarked against other comparable institutions.
4. To delegate authority to the Vice-Chancellor and President for the effective academic, corporate, financial, estate and human resource management of the University.
5. To establish and keep under regular review the policies, procedures and limits within such management functions as shall be undertaken by and under the authority of the Vice-Chancellor and President.
6. To ensure the establishment and monitoring of systems of control and accountability, including transparent financial and operational controls and risk assessment, value for money arrangements and clear procedures for handling internal grievances and for managing conflicts of interest.
7. To establish processes to monitor and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the Council and the University’s systems of governance and decision-making, including receiving and testing assurances on the adequacy and effectiveness of academic governance.
8. To conduct its business in accordance with best practice in higher education corporate governance, with the principles of public life drawn up by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and the Public Interest Governance Principles set out in the Office for Students Regulatory Framework, and with due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
9. To safeguard the good name and values of the University and to be responsible for the ethical governance of the University.
10. To appoint the Vice-Chancellor and President as Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and the Office for Students’ Accountable Officer and to put in place suitable arrangements for monitoring their performance.
11. To appoint the Secretary to the Council and to ensure that, if the person appointed has managerial responsibilities in the institution, there is an appropriate separation in the lines of accountability.
12. To be the employing authority for all staff in the University and to be accountable for ensuring that an appropriate human resources strategy is established for the University.
13. Subject to the powers of the Senate, to be the principal financial and business authority of the University, to ensure that proper books of account are kept and, to approve the University’s annual budget and financial statements and to have overall responsibility for the University’s assets, property and physical estate. The Council has to ensure that the going concern basis is appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements and to be satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The Council is required to prepare financial statements in accordance with the University Statutes, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting for Further and Higher Education Institutions and other relevant accounting standards, as well as the Accounts Direction issued by the Office for Students.
14. To be the University’s legal authority and to ensure that systems are in place for meeting all the University’s legal obligations, including those arising from contracts and other legal commitments made in the University’s name.
15. To receive assurance that adequate provision has been made for the general welfare of students.
16. To act as trustee for any property, legacy, endowment, bequest or gift in support of the work and welfare of the University.
17. To determine regulations for the custody and use of the common seal of the University.
18. To be responsible for effective planning, ongoing control, monitoring and review of the University’s health and safety management procedures.
19. To approve changes to University Statutes and to ensure that the University’s constitution is followed at all times and that appropriate advice is available to enable this to happen.
20. To promote the University’s values and behaviours, and a culture which supports inclusivity and diversity across the University.
21. In partnership with the Senate, to maintain and protect the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech legislation.
22. To ensure that all students and staff have opportunities to engage with the governance and management of the University by operating in an open, honest and accountable manner and allowing for a range of perspectives to have influence.

Approved by Council on 9 July 2025