Author: Shaun Williams, Executive Director Engagement and Advancement
- As we progress planning for the 2024/25 budget, UEB discussed the University economy model, the over-arching scaffolding that then informs each year’s budget. It’s important to fully understand and interrogate the University’s ongoing cost base and income streams, and forecast carefully ahead, in order to identify significant changes which can then have major implications for the available budgets. Some of our core costs have increased considerably over the last two years, in part as we invest in a significant number of new initiatives and major projects.
- UEB discussed our proposed formal written response to the Coroner’s Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths, which was published last month following an inquest last August into the tragic death the previous year of one of our students, Matthew Wickes. At the inquest, the Coroner stated that there were no formal grounds for making a Regulation 28 report, but that he planned to request one to give impetus to the developments and improvements already under way at the University. Many of the recommendations made by the Coroner have already been implemented, including putting in place the MyEngagement system which can identify changing patterns of attendance at timetabled taught sessions, and which will help us identify those students who may need further support. Our response fully recognises the issues raised by the Coroner, and provides assurance around the actions underway or planned, and their timelines, in particular relating to the provision of mental health training for academic staff; the roll-out of the MyEngagement monitoring tool; and contact between students and Personal Academic Tutors. The University recognises that the death of Matthew and the subsequent investigation will have been incredibly difficult for Matthew’s family and friends, and we offer our deepest condolences again to the Wickes family and friends.
- UEB again discussed the need for a long-term parking and transport strategy, with sustainability at its heart, as part of our overall estates transformation. We recognise parking is a legitimate concern for many colleagues, but providing and encouraging greater use of sustainable transport is an important part of meeting our sustainability goals, which we know is deeply important to much of our community, as well as supporting Southampton City Council’s aim to reduce car usage in our city. UEB approved the procurement of a new parking management scheme for introduction in the autumn. This will include Automatic Number Plate Recognition, which will enable a better management approach to car parking eligibility and capacity planning.
- UEB reviewed and discussed an early draft of a proposal for a refresh of the University’s Career Pathways, which were first launched in 2004 and last updated in 2015. As part of the People Strategic Plan, a refresh is underway to ensure the pathways continue to meet the needs of the organisation. The work builds upon the existing content and includes aligning with the University strategy and Triple Helix, reflecting the shift from Enterprise towards KEE, clarifying qualification and experience requirements and delivering upon other commitments, notably the creation of Level 6 in the Technical and Experimental (TAE) job family. UEB agreed with the direction of travel and looks forward to further discussion.
- UEB reviewed and endorsed a new Scheme of Delegation, which outlines, at a high-level, where power is delegated from our governing Council throughout the University. It also provides brief summaries of some of those positions and bodies that are involved in decision-making and the delegation of those powers. During the development of the larger Modernising the Governance Strategic Major Project, it was identified that greater transparency and clarity was required around decision making; the aim is to enable the University to adapt to its changing needs and to deliver on our strategy more efficiently. The Scheme of Delegation is one part of this response and given its focus is on the delegations of Council’s powers, it necessarily has a high-level focus. Council will be invited to agree the Scheme in July.
- UEB heard that a record number of exhibitors have signed up for the Science and Engineering Day 2024, on Saturday 16 March, and we may also have a record number of attendees too; and there was the regular review of the University Risk Register.
- Finally, UEB noted this was the final UEB meeting to be attended by Julie Fielder, our Executive Director, Finance and Planning (interim), who leaves the University at the end of this week, after 10 years at Southampton, and is taking a six-month career break before embarking on new career opportunities. UEB thanked her for her tremendous contribution and commitment to the University over many years, and particularly during her interim role over the last year, and wished her every success in the future. UEB also welcomed Tamsin Dickinson, Director of Finance – Business Support, to her first UEB meeting . She will be stepping into the interim role until we are joined in May by Allison Jarvis, our new Executive Director of Finance.