Author: Yvonne Hawkins, Executive Director of Governance, Legal Services, Risk and Resilience
- The University received a bronze Race Equality Charter (REC) award in November 2022, with the next REC submission due in November 2027. Ahead of this, UEB noted we are preparing for a mid-way review in 2025. Work over the next 12 months will focus on three priority areas of inclusive recruitment, racial literacy, and ‘engage and understand’. Engagement activities are planned before the midway review, including focus groups of staff and students. This is part of our ongoing commitment to race equality and creating an anti-racist University.
- UEB received an overview of potential changes arising from the draft Employment Rights Bill, which has proposed 28 separate reforms. UEB noted details are currently light, as the Government will start consulting next year before implementing legislative changes.
- UEB received a quarterly report on progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are used to gauge the success of our Strategy. The report provided an update on our performance as measured by the National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes, and the Knowledge Exchange Framework. The report will be considered by our Council in November.
- The Digital Strategic Plan, approved by Council in July, articulates our ambition to be a University fit for the digital age. UEB endorsed an investment request for a five-year programme of activity that seeks to deliver a step change in our digital capabilities and approach. The investment request will now be considered by our Finance Committee and Council in November.
- UEB endorsed an updated Whistleblowing Policy. This has been revised to update the policy and clarify its use. Ratification of the policy will now be sought from the Joint-Joint Negotiating Committee (JJNC).
- UEB considered its management response to an internal audit of the processes and controls in place around Trusted Research at the University. One of the findings was that there is a lack of consistency in how line managers review and monitor conflicts of interests that are declared. To mitigate the risks this creates, existing mandatory training and associated guidance will be reviewed. UEB is asking all line mangers not only to have checked the potential conflicts of their reports, but to ensure there has been a discussion over mitigations.
- Finally, UEB noted that the staff engagement survey will launch on Friday 1 November.