Committees of the Council

Audit and Risk Management Committee

Ex Officio Member

Treasurer: Mrs Celia Edey (Chair)

Appointed Members

Seven members, not being members of Strategy  and Resources Committee or holding an executive position, at least two of whom shall be External members of Council:

Mr Robin Paddock
Mr Peter Giblin
Dr John Grote
Dr Laura Mansel-Thomas
Mr Brian Stapleton
Mr Riccardo Tazzini
One vacancy

At least two members will have relevant experience in finance, accounting and/or auditing.

Officers in attendance

The Director of Finance
The Head of internal audit
A representative from external audit
The Registrar

Co-opted

The Committee may co-opt members as appropriate.

Terms of Reference

1. Financial and Internal Control

   1. To review the effectiveness of the financial and other internal control systems;

   2. to ensure that all significant losses have been properly investigated and that the internal and external auditors, and where appropriate the HEFCE Accounting Officer, have been informed;

   3. to oversee the institution’s policy on fraud and irregularity, including being notified of any action taken under that policy.

2. External Audit

1. To consider and advise the Council on: the appointment and, if necessary, the dismissal of the External Auditor; the terms of engagement; the audit fee; and any non-audit services from the External Auditor;

2. to guide the External Auditor on the nature and scope of the audit;

3. to receive and consider the External Auditor’s management letter in connection with the audit of the University’s Annual Accounts and the management response and any other matter the external auditor wishes to discuss;

4. to consider elements of the annual financial statements in the presence of the External Auditor, including the auditor’s formal opinion, the statement of members’ responsibilities and any corporate governance statement.

3. Internal Audit

1. To consider and advise the Council on the appointment and if necessary the dismissal of the Internal Auditor; the terms of engagement, the audit fee and any non audit services from the internal auditor;

2. to receive and approve a five-year Strategic Plan for the Internal Auditor;

3. to receive and approve an Annual Plan for the Internal Auditor and any other matter the internal auditor wishes to discuss;

4. to receive and consider the final report of each internal audit assignment, activity or investigation undertaken on behalf of the University by the Internal Auditor and any other matter the internal auditor wishes to discuss;

5. to review the work of the Internal Auditor in conjunction with the receipt of an annual report prepared by the Internal Auditor, the report to include an opinion on the degree of assurance that can be taken from the system of control;

6. to consider any internal audit matters not specifically covered above.

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4. Monitoring and co-ordination of internal and external audit

To monitor the effectiveness of internal and external audit on the basis of performance indicators approved by Council from time to time on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Management Committee; to promote co-ordination between the internal and external auditors.

5. Reports of an audit nature

To receive and consider any reports of an audit nature prepared by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE), the Quality Assurance Agency, the National Audit Office any other similar bodies.

6. Value for money

To satisfy itself that adequate arrangements are in place to promote value for money initiatives.

7. Economy, efficiency and effectiveness

To satisfy itself that satisfactory arrangements are in place to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

8. Quality of data

To satisfy itself that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure that data provided to the HEFCE, the Higher Education Statistics Agency and other public bodies is of a high quality.

9. Risk management

To advise the Council on the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance arrangements by

1. familiarisation with the concept and requirements of risk management;

2. acting as a catalyst for risk management activity across the University;

3. ensuring appropriate audit work on risk management is performed;

4. collecting information on risks and risk management;

5. receiving reports from the Risk Management Group regarding the actions taken on the highest risks identified on the Risk Register.

Reporting mechanisms

10. Annual report

To prepare an annual report for submission to Council and the HEFCE on the work of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, incorporating an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control system and the pursuit of value for money, together with an assurance on risk management.

11. Minutes

    To be circulated to all members and attendees of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and all members of Council.
     

12. Quorum

    The Committee shall be quorate when half of the members are present.
     

13. Meeting structure

    Meetings shall normally be held four times a year. Members of the committee, the external auditors and head of internal audit may request a meeting if they consider it necessary.
     

14. Review of Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference should be reviewed annually.

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Strategy and Resources Committee

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone (Chair)

University Steering Group Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Standards): Professor Jane Wright
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Partnerships):Professor Nigel South
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise): Professor David Sanders
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Resources): Professor Jules Pretty
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Director of Communications and External Relations: Ms Vanessa Potter

Appointed Members

Five External members of Council:
Mr David Boyle
Mr Paul Gray
Mrs Judith Judd
Ms Maria Stanford
Mr Philip Tolhurst

One member of Senate/academic staff appointed from the Deans
Dr Pam Cox

Terms of Reference

1. To advise the Council on matters relating to the overall strategic direction of the University and to recommend the strategic plan to Council for approval;

2. to monitor and review the general progress and development of the University in academic, social, external, governance and other policy;

3. to recommend to the Council the annual recurrent budget of the University;

4. to approve additions to the recurrent budget, up to the value of £1,000,000 (net expenditure), delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve non-recurrent budget increases, up to the value of £250,000 (net expenditure);

5. to delegate authority to the Vice-Chancellor to offer salary increases, up to £25,000, in urgent cases where counter offers of employment are deemed necessary. Where proposed increases are greater than £25,000, the Vice-Chancellor shall seek approval of the Chair of the Remuneration Committee;

6. to approve new projects added to the Capital Programme up to the value of £4,000,000 (gross expenditure), delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve additions to the Capital programme up to the value of £2,000,000 (gross expenditure) and to Pro-Vice-Chancellors and the Registrar to approve additions to the capital programme up to the value of £100,000. These delegations may only be exercised if, and only if, the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing eg loans, capital receipts;

7. to approve cost increases to approved projects in the Capital programme up to the value of £1,000,000, delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve cost increases up to the value of £20,000 and to Pro-Vice-Chancellors and the Registrar to approve cost increases up to the value of £10,000. These delegations may only be exercised if, and only if, the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing, eg loans, capital receipts;

8. to receive an annual report of all completed capital projects in the last 12 months comparing the initially approved budget to its outturn cost;

9. to comment on all recommendations sent forward from the Senate to the Council which have financial implications;

10. to make recommendations to the Council on all other financial matters;

11. to recommend to Council a human resources strategy of the University;

12. to review the operation of the Council and its various Committees and to make recommendations thereon;

13. to consider the institutional audit report;

14. to review the reports of any working parties which may from time to time be set up to deal with various subjects;

15. to review and discuss any other items concerning Council business not falling within the remit of another Sub-Committee that External members of the Council might wish to raise.

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Sub-Committees of Strategy and Resources Committee

• University Steering Group

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster (Chair)
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Partnerships): Professor Nigel South
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise): Professor David Sanders
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Resources): Professor Jules Pretty
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Standards): Professor Jane Wright
Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Science and Engineering): Dr David Pevalin
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Director of Communications and External Relations: Ms Vanessa Potter

Terms of Reference

1. To prepare and recommend to the Strategy and Resources Committee of the Council an annual recurrent budget for the University and to monitor the implementation of the approved budget;
    

2. to keep the allocation and deployment of University resources under general scrutiny.
    

3. to approve the provision of staff posts, delegating authority as follows:

1. to the Pro-Vice-Chancellors, authority to approve staffing replacements and new requests within budget below professorial within their individual faculties;

2. to the Registrar and Secretary authority to approve staffing replacements and new requests within budget below grade 11 within the professional services.

4. to approve non-recurrent non-staff additions to the recurrent budget up to the value of £250,000 (net expenditure);
    

5. to approve the annual budget allocations to Faculties and professional services;

6. to approve new projects to be added to the Capital Programme, up to the value of £2,000,000 (gross expenditure) provided the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing, eg loans, capital receipts;
    

7. to approve costs increases to approved capital projects, up to the value of £200,000 provided the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing eg loans, capital receipts;
    

8. to review and monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the University and the Annual Operating Statement and report to Strategy and Resources Committee, Council and other committees as appropriate;
    

9. to review and monitor the income and expenditure position of major cost centres throughout the year;
    

10. to receive biannually an account of actual and committed expenditure on legal and professional services
     

11. to approve tuition fees on behalf of Council and to report all such approvals to Council;
     

12. to recommend to Council for approval through Strategy and Resources Committee any major review of tuition fees, eg arising from a lifting of the cap on variable fees.

Method of Operation

1. The record of meetings of the University Steering Group shall be copied to all members of Strategy and Resources Committee, Heads of Professional Services and Faculty Managers.
    

2. At the discretion of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar and Secretary, University Officers, as may be appropriate, shall be invited to meetings of the University Steering Group.

3. Monitoring of budget performance and approval of annual budget plans will be conducted by a 'Budget Review Group' comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Director of Finance and Deputy Director of Finance, receiving submissions from each Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary.

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Sub-Committees of University Steering Group

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Steering Group

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris (Chair)
Director of Information Systems Services: Mr Richard Murphy
A Faculty Manager: Ms Berna Casey
Director of Strategic Planning and Change: Dr Sonia Virdee
University Records Manager: Mrs Sara Stock
Librarian: Mr Robert Butler

Appointed

One representative from each Faculty, nominated by the Faculty Steering Groups,

Humanities and Comparative Studies: to be confirmed
Law and Management: Dr Abou-Seada
Social Sciences: Dr Doug Arnold
Science and Engineering: Ms Tracey Burge

Student Representative: Students' Union President or nominee

Co-opted

The ICT Steering Group may co-opt members, as and when required.

Terms of Reference

1. To ensure the University's ICT and information management provision is aligned with the University's business and strategic priorities and supports effectively operational and user needs;

2. to make recommendations to the University Steering Group on the corresponding resource implications relating to ICT activity;

3. to develop and oversee implementation of the University's Information Systems Strategy and related policy

4. to manage risk associated with ICT services and their use, including legal compliance and external regulation;

5. to monitor the high level performance of ICT provision;

6. to receive reports from the Director of Information Systems and and others as necessary to support the development of ICT and information management policy and strategy;

7. to report to the University Steering Group as necessary and to the Senate annually.

Sub-committees of Information Technology (ICT) Steering Group

• Academic Services

• Communications

• Corporate Business Systems

• Futures and Research Support

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Project Coordination Group

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris (Chair)
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Standards): Professor Jane Wright
Director of Information Systems: Mr Richard Murphy
Director of Strategic Planning and Change: Dr Sonia Virdee
Head of Learning and Development: Dr Jo Andrews
A Faculty Manager: Miss Emma Griffin
Deputy Director of Finance: Mr Marc Albano
Representative from the Communications office (CER): Ms Jo Davies
Academic representative: Dr Tracy Robinson
Student representative: President of the Students' Union Mr Nathan Bolton

Appointed

The Chairs of each of the Project Coordination Group sub-groups:

Academic Services: Professor Jane Wright
Research Support: Professor Maria Fasli
Communications: Ms Vanessa Potter
Corporate Business Systems: to be confirmed

In Attendance

External Consultant: Ms Bernarde Hyde, SUMS

Co-Opted

The Project Coordination Group may co-opt members, such as the project sponsors for major projects, as and when requred

Terms of Reference

Strategic Developments, Priorities and Oversight

1. To have responsibility for strategic programme management by taking an overview of major project activity at the University and to advise the University Steering Group regarding:

   1. Strategic fit and project priorities;

   2. Synergies and gaps between projects;

   3. Resource conflicts and pressures;

   4. Articulation and communication of the University's change programme.

2. To support the delivery, as required, of strategic development projects approved or commissioned by the University Steering Group.

3. To co-ordinate ideas and initiatives to exploit synergies in service enhancement and/or efficiency.

Management of Risk and Project Resources

4. To oversee risks associated with relevant projects, including legal compliance and external regulation.

5. To advise regarding the resource implications of projects and to make budget recommendations to the Registrar and Secretary.

6. to make recommendation to the University Steering Group on projects requiring additional University investmen.

Continuous Improvement and Efficiency

7. To consider project proposals from its subgroups with the purpose of delivering significant process or service delivery improvement combined with the best possible value for money outcomes.

8. To commission enhancement and efficiency related investigation and projects.

9. To utilise external process change expertise to support project implementation and to delivery intended process enhancements, and to utilise benchmarking data where available to review areas/processes for further investigation.

10. To challenge project sponsors, ensuring proposed projects are sufficiently radical to deliver real improvements and efficiency, and to test project plans, including dependencies and relationships with other projects, ensuring projects are set to deliver their objectives.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

11. To monitor progress of overall improvement programmes, including high level ICT provision and developments and to receive reports, as appropriate, on project progress against plans and milestones.

12. To ensure that post implementation project evaluations and reviews are conducted and the outcomes reported to the Project Coordination Group for consideration, to communicate benefits delivered and lessons learnt.

Reporting Responsibilities

13. To report to the University Steering Group.

Note: The Project Coordination Group does not approve or monitor capital investment projects but would consider their impact on other parts of the programme.

Risk Management Group

Ex Officio Members

Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Director of Information Systems Services: Mr Richard Murphy
Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
One Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Dean/Associate Dean/Head of Department: Dr David Pevalin
One Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Dean/Associate Dean/Head of Department: Dr Lisa Wade
Head of Health and Safety: Ms Claire Saunders

Purpose

The Risk Management Group is constituted by University Steering Group to oversee the execution of the University's risk management policy.

Te Risk Management Group has a key role in aiding Audit and Risk Management Committee to form its own opinion on the adequacy of the University's arrangements for the management of risk, The Group will meet ahead of each Audit and Risk Management Committee meeting, in order that its work can be reported to the Committee at each meeting.

Terms of Reference

1. Maintain a central register of risks (the 'Risk Register') for consideration by senior management, Council and any of its committees.

2. Review, and update if necessary, all items contained in the Risk Register at least annually, ensuring that all risks are assigned to a 'risk owner' and that appropriate procedures and actions are in place to mitigate risk.

3. Prepare and review an annual self-assessment of risk for faculties and professional services to promote awareness of risk management procedures, to ensure that all risks are captured and, where appropriate, are fed into the Risk Register.

4. Update the Risk Register for any known material changes that occur in between annual reviews.

5. Report to University Steering Group and Council on all material updates to the Risk Register and on the outcome of the annual review.

6. Consider the work of the University's Crisis Management Group and how this impacts on the implementation of the University's risk management policy.

7. Advise University Steering Group of any actions necessary to improve the management of risk within the University.

8. Issue guidelines to assist managers throughout the University on assessing risk of major new projects or ventures.

Sub-committees of Risk Management Group

• Crisis Management Group

The Crisis Management Group will report to the Risk Management Group

Sustainability Strategy Group

Ex Officio Members

Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability and Resources) (Chair): Professor Jules Pretty
Dean of Social Sciences: Professor Rob Stones
Director, Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
Business Development Management (Quality Assurance), Campus Services: Mr Darren Baker
Executive Officer, Vice-Chancellor's Office: Ms Monica Illsley
Academic Representative (Carbon Expertise): Professor Ian Colbeck
Director, Strategy Planning and Change: Dr Sonia Virdee
Director, Essex Sustainability Institute: Professor Steffen Boehm
Vice-President (Welfare and Community), Students' Union: Ms Lily Flaherty

Terms of Reference

1. To review progress towards the carbon reduction targets set out in the Carbon Management Plan.

2. To monitor progress with the national carbon trading system.

3. To assess the financial implications of both cost increases and savings as the University progresses towards activities with a lower net carbon footprint.

4. To assess progress towards implementation of standards and monitoring systems (ISO14001, Carbon Trust Standard).

5. To receive reports from the Green Task Force.

6. To report annually to the Council on the implementation of the Carbon Management Plan.

Sub-committee of Sustainability Strategy Group

• Green Task Force

Transport Policy Sub-Committee

Ex-Officio Members

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Sustainability and Resources): Professor Jules Pretty (Chair)
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
Chief Executive, Students’ Union: Mr Craig Stephens
Students' Union Vice-President (Services and Communications) (or his/her nominated representative): Mr Chris Fowler
UCU Representative: Ms Penny Brearey-Horne
Unison Representative: Mr John Wakeman
Unite Representative: Mr Roy Rodd

Appointed Members

Mrs Eleanor Totman, Commercial Operations Manager
Ms Charlotte Humphries: Transport Policy Co-ordinator
One vacancy

Terms of Reference

1. To be responsible for the development of the University’s Transport Strategy and to review the same on an annual basis;

2. to receive reports from the Estate Management Section, Transport Co-ordinator and the 2020 Travel Plan Co-ordinator regarding progress on current initiatives and suggested future initiatives;

3. to consider all new initiatives aimed at reducing the reliance on the motor car as the primary form of transportation to and from campus in the light of local, national and sector wide practice;

4. to present recommendations to University Steering Group for adoption of initiatives for the University of Essex.

Committee will meet once a term.

University Procurement Strategy Group

Ex Officio Members

Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
Deputy Director of Finance: Mr Marc Albano
Deputy Director of Estate Management (Purchasing): Mr Keith Mason
Director of Information Systems: Mr Richard Murphy
Procurement Manager: Mr Adrian Woodmore
Faculty Manager: Ms Alex Seabrook
Head of Department: Professor Christine Raines
 

Appointed Member

Mr Hugh Barrett (Chair)

Terms of Reference

The University Procurement Strategy Group will advise the University Steering Group on:

1. Development of the Value for Money Strategy.

2. Recommendations for improvements in processes and value for money on all external non-pay spend.

3. Amendments that may be required to the Purchasing Regulations from time to time.

4. Procurement procedures for goods and services in the light of the Purchasing Regulations.

5. Goods and services which are purchased against single source quotations/tenders, summarised by department, value and reason for exemption.

6. The classification of goods and services purchased by the University into the following categories:

   1. those items that are to be purchased centrally or under centrally organised arrangements;

   2. those items that are to be purchased on a co-ordinated basis by one department on behalf of all others;

   3. all other items to be purchased by individual departments and sections in conformity with the University’s Purchasing Regulations.

The Central Purchasing Unit will work to minimise b) and c), and maximise the commitment to national/regional contracts where appropriate and the negotiation of local contracts.

7. Matters connected with purchasing policy and practice referred to it from Finance & Strategy Committee and the University Steering Group.

8. Receive advice from and assign projects to the Commodity Advisory Group.

9. Receive reports on the performance of the Central Purchasing Unit from the Deputy Director of Estate Management (Purchasing).

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Sub-Committees of Strategy and Resources Committee (cont)

• Investment Sub-Committee

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble

Appointed Members

One member from Strategy and Resources Committee:
Mr David Boyle (Chair)

One external member with specialist knowledge:
Mr William Drake

Terms of Reference

1. To agree and keep under review appropriate asset allocation between equities, fixed interest and cash deposits, and within equities between the UK and overseas markets, taking account of the capital and income growth targets and risk set in the investment objective agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee;
    

2. to monitor the performance of the fund managers, against the benchmarks set in the investment objective and comparator funds and market indicies;
    

3. to review, against the benchmark, at least every three years from the date of appointment all managers/investments and either remain invested or replace;
    

4. to receive at each meeting an overall report, prepared by the Director of Finance, on the performance of the University’s investments and the key issues to be addressed.

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Investment Objective

To achieve, over rolling three year periods, an above average performance in capital growth and income yield, taken together, by investing in: equities with a target return ahead of the FTSE All-Share Index, fixed interest with a target return of exceeding the FTSE British Government All-Stocks Index, and cash deposits with a target return of 0.5% above the seven-day fixed deposit rate. These performance targets should be aimed for without taking undue risk.

• Strategy and Resources Staffing Sub-Committee

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris (Chair)

Appointed Members

Professor Neil Cox
Mrs Sue Endean
Professor Jo Jackson
Mr Richard Murphy
Professor Maria Fasli

Terms of Reference

1. to formulate and execute policy on all matters concerning the terms and conditions of employment of the groups of staff listed below, and to report such policy and action to the Strategy and Resources Committee;

1. Senior Support Staff in Grades 7 to 10 (covering staff previously known as 'other' related, computer officer, senior administrative, senior library and some senior clerical and technical staff);

2. Office Support Staff in Grades 1 to 6 (covering staff previously known as secretarial, clerical, and some miscellaneous office based staff)

3. General Support Staff in Grades 1 to 6 (covering staff previously known as library assistant, technical and data processing assistant, manual, and miscellaneous non-office based staff);

2. To carry out the Annual Salary Review for the groups of staff listed at 1.a) to 1.c)  above and to present a report to the Strategy and Resources Committee.

3. To implement the above terms of reference in the light of all appropriate information, including appropriate financial information.

4. The Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee Staffing Sub-Committee to have delegated power to act on behalf of the Sub-Committee between its meetings.

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Nominations Committee

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone (Chair)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris

Appointed members

Two External members of Council:
Professor Sir Deian Hopkin
Ms Maria Stanford

One academic member of Council, normally appointed from the Deans
Dr Pam Cox

Terms of Reference

To make recommendations to Council on the appointment of:

1. External and appointed members of Council

2. Council appointed members of Court

3. Council appointed members of Council Committees

4. External members, who are not members of Council, to Council Committees.

5. Internal members, who are not members of Council, to Council Committees

Remuneration Committee

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone(Chair)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Chair of Equality and Diversity Committee: Ms Judith Judd
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris

Appointed Members:

Three External members of Council:
Mr Paul Gray
Ms Maria Stanford
Mr Philip Tolhurst

Terms of Reference

1. To determine the salary, other remuneration and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary (in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary);
    

2. to determine the salary, other remuneration and conditions of service of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor;
    

3. to approve visits abroad by the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary;
    

4. to approve outside earnings of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary;
    

5. to approve the hospitality fund of the Vice-Chancellor;
    

6. to consider  recommendations by the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary on the salaries, other remuneration and conditions of service of senior office holders, professorial staff and senior support staff on Grade 11;
    

7. to receive a report on early retirement packages and severance payments to members of the University and to approve payments in advance where

1. the cost to the University would not be recovered in two years or less; or

2. any payments above contractual entitlement are paid to any member of University Steering Group;

8. to receive a report on action taken by the Vice-Chancellor under Ordinance 36.4 or 37.4;
    

9. to receive a report on action taken by the Vice-Chancellor to approve salary awards to staff who have received offers from other organisations;
    

10. to receive a report on action taken to approve the payment of market supplements;

11. to consider any other related business.

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Advisory Groups

Equality and Diversity Committee

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Director of Human Resources: Mrs Sue Endean
Academic Registrar: Mr Stephen McAuliffe
Director of Student Support: Ms Rachel Fletcher
Deputy Director of Student Support (Disability): Ms Angela Jones
Equality and Diversity Officer, Students' Union: Mr Tyrone Wilson
Vice-President International Officer, Students' Union: Ms Jovanna Yiouseli
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations - Widening Participation and Community Engagement: Ms Rachel Earle
Human Resources Policy and Projects Officer: Ms Karen Bush

Nominated/Representative/Elected Members

One representative of each of the three campus Trade Unions: Mr Colin McAuley, Professor Peter Patrick, Mr John Wakeman

Appointed Members

One External Member of Council
Ms Judith Judd (Chair)

One Dean
Dr David Pevalin

One Head of Department
Dr Alison Rowlands

Terms of Reference

1. To agree policy in relation to equality and diversity issues, consulting students, staff and external interest groups as appropriate, and to make recommendations to Senate and to Council as appropriate;

2. to monitor key performance indicators in accordance with an agreed schedule;

3. to monitor the implementation of requirements and recommendations that arise from the introduction of new policies and procedures or the review of existing policies and procedures;

4. to review existing policies, procedures and service provision in relation to equality and diversity;

5. to receive and advise on action arising from external consultation exercises;

6. to decide on the programme of Equality Impact Review (EIRs), to receive final EIR reports and monitor the implementation of any recommendations arising from final EIR reports;

7. to provide governance and strategic oversight of the Harassment Advisory Network;

8. to submit an annual report to Council.

Health and Safety Committee

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
USG Health and Safety Lead: Professor Jules Pretty (Chair)
Director of Human Resources: Mrs Sue Endean
Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
University of Essex Campus Services, Head of Operations: Mr Chris Oldham
Southend Campus, Campus Manager: Ms Zoe Manning
Loughton Campus, Campus Supervisor: Mr Graham Cushway
Deputy Chief Executive, Students’ Union: Ms Marianne Provan
Faculty Manager, Humanities and Comparative Studies: Miss Rachel Lucas
Faculty Manager, Law and Management: Ms Berna Casey
Faculty Manager, Science and Engineering: Ms Alex Seabrook
Faculty Manager, Social Sciences: Miss Emma Griffin
Head of Health and Safety (professional adviser to the Committee): Ms Claire Saunders
Head of Occupational Health: Ms Lara Carmel

Appointed Member

Dr Marion Wood

Nominated/Representative/Elected Members

One nominee from each of the recognised Trades Unions (3):
Unite: Mr Colin McAuley
UCU: Mr Darren Calley
Unison: Mr John Wakeman

One student member elected by the Students' Union Council: tba

The following specialist officers will be co-opted as and when required:

• Fire Safety Officer

• University Ionising Radiation Protection Officer

• University Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Adviser (UNIRPA)

• University Biological Safety Adviser (UBSA)

• Other specialist officers as deemed appropriate by the committee

Terms of Reference

The purpose of the Health and Safety Committee is to support Council in overseeing the implementation of the University's Health and Wellbeing Policy and Plan by:

1. Reviewing and revising the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy and recommending policy objectives to University Steering Group and Council;

2. developing and monitoring the implementation of a University-wide Health, Safety and Wellbeing plan;

3. approving and overseeing the development, implantation and review of other health and safety related policies and standards;

4. agreeing health and safety performance measures and providing an annual report on health, safety and wellbeing performance to University Steering Group and Council;

5. considering reports on changes to legislation and best practice that significantly affect health, safety and wellbeing practice at the University;

6. consulting on the introduction of any measures that may substantially affect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students;

7. considering reports:

   1. from the Health and Safety Advisory Service, Occupational Health Service,  Safety Advisory Group and other relevant specialist officers, for the continuous improvement of the University's health and safety arrangements

   2. on issues of strategic health and safety policy and practice raised by the trade unions and representative of Faculty and Professional Services management on audits, significant incidents and health and safety related enforcement action by regulatory bodies

   3. from the Students' Union and University of Essex Campus Services, on their health and safety performance or specific issue of health and safety practice and agreeing actions, or where necessary making recommendations to University Steering Group and Council to address significant health and safety performance issues and for the continuous improvement and promotion of health, safety and wellbeing

9. as appropriate, set up sub-committees or groups to focus on particular health and safety risk areas;

10. to refer significant health and safety risk and management issues to University Steering Group, Risk Management Group and/or Council, as appropriate;

Meetings

• To meet twice a year. Items must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the meeting. Late papers will only be permitted to be tabled at the Chair's discretion.

• Standard items will be the Annual Reports (autumn term meeting), Health and Safety Plan (summer term meeting), Minutes of sub-groups and Safety Advisory Group.

• The starring system used by other committees will be adopted. Normally papers from sub-committees would not be starred for discussion.

Sub-Committees of Health and Safety Committee

Biological Hazards and Genetic Modification Safety Committee
Ionising Radiation Protection Committee
Safety Advisory Group

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