Summary of the key topics discussed
Update from the Principal
Peter Mathieson, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, updated Court on a number of recent developments, including:
- significant financial pressures on the higher education sector, with additional costs arising from the announced increase in National Insurance employer contributions;
- the commitment of the University’s leadership to clear communication with staff regarding the financial situation and measures to address it;the development of the University’s portfolio review;
- a successful programme of 15 winter graduation ceremonies, with over 8,000 people graduating;
- continued high performance in research and innovation, including record research translation figures in 2023/24.
Finance
The Director of Finance presented the University’s Annual Report and Accounts, an analytical review 2023-24 and a forward-looking Q1 2024-25 forecast summary. It was clarified that the headline figures in the accounts for 2023-24 were affected by a number non-recurring items of restricted funding, meaning that these figures did not indicate the University’s underlying financial position.
Drawing on input from Audit & Risk Committee and Policy & Resources Committee, Court approved the Annual Report and Accounts, subject to completion of the external auditor’s work and some clarificatory amendments.
Responsible Investment Policy: Analysis of Consultation Responses
Court received an independent analysis of the responses to the recent consultation exercise on the University’s Responsible Investment Policy. It was noted that the policy was to be updated for submission to relevant governance bodies within the academic year. This would occur in parallel to the development of a new group whose establishment had been agreed by Court at its October meeting.
Student Experience Update
Court was updated on work being undertaken in relation to the student experience. The progress outlined and alignment with the Students’ Association’s student experience framework were welcomed.
Annual Court Internal Effectiveness Review
Court received a summary of internal effectiveness review processes and their results. These had aligned closely with the outcomes of the external review conducted over the summer, in response to which relevant work was already in progress.
Minor updates to Court’s Statement of Primary Responsibility were approved.
Other items
Court received an overview of student recruitment and intakes in 2024/25 and a year-end report on the University’s performance measures to support Strategy 2030. Regular reports were received from the Students’ Association, the Sports Union, the Development and Alumni Office and Court’s committees. The Health and Safety Annual Report was received and the Health and Safety Policy approved. Resolutions establishing two personal Chairs were approved.
More detailed information on the University Court, including the membership, agenda, open papers and approved minutes can be found on the University Court webpages: