Meeting 19/09/07. Minutes of the 118th meeting of the Council held 19 September 2007 at the HEFCW Offices, Llanishen Present:

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1 Meeting 19/09/07 Reference HEFCW/07/Min118 Minutes of the 118th meeting of the Council held 19 September 2007 at the HEFCW Offices, Llanishen Present: Members: Professor Sir Roger Williams (Chairman) Dr Len Arthur Professor Philip Gummett (Chief Executive) Professor Mari Lloyd-Williams (from minute 4.3) Mr Tim Rees Mr Ken Richards Professor Sir Brian Smith Professor Nigel Stott Dr Geoffrey Thomas Mrs Pauline Thomas (to minute 10.4) Observers: Dr David Bacon, Welsh Assembly Government Mr Mario Ferelli, Head of Analytical Services Group and Funding, HEFCE Officers: Ms Lisa Barry Dr David Blaney Mr Roger Carter Ms Rachel Clark Mrs Frances Good Mr Dale Hall Ms Niina Hammond Mr Richard Hirst Ms Celia Hunt Mrs Bethan Owen Ms Kate Stevenson Apologies: were received from Professor Garel Rhys and Mrs Tina Stephens. 1 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, APOLOGIES AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 1.1 The following members declared an interest in relation to agenda item 11 ( Reconfiguration and Collaboration HEFCW/07/55): Dr Len Arthur as a member of staff at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, including involvement for UWIC in the pan-wales expression of interest in developing a Wales Regeneration Network. 1

2 Professor Philip Gummett whose partner is employed at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education. Mr Ken Richards as a Member of Aberystwyth University Investments Committee. Professor Sir Brian Smith as international ambassador for Cardiff University. Professor Nigel Stott as Professor Emeritus at Cardiff University. The following members declared an interest in relation to agenda item 8, ( Welsh Medium Provision: Update HEFCW/07/56): Mr Ken Richards as Treasurer of University of Wales Guild of Graduates (to September 2007). Dr Geoffrey Thomas as an Honorary Fellow of Trinity College Carmarthen. 2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 29 JUNE 2007 (HEFCW/07/MIN117) that the minutes be accepted as a true record of the meeting held on 29 June MATTERS ARISING Council noted that there were no matters arising from the meeting held 29 June 2007 not covered elsewhere in the agenda. 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE S REPORT (HEFCW/07/CE5) 4.1 Research Sounding Group: Constitution and Terms of Reference Council received and considered a revised constitution and terms of reference to establish a Research Sounding Group on a permanent basis. to approve the proposed constitution and terms of reference. 4.2 Reflection on the September 2007 HEW/CHEW/HEFCW Strategic Dialogue meeting Council reflected on the outcomes of the HEW/CHEW/HEFCW Strategic Dialogue meeting held 6 and 7 September 2007 at Bangor University. Discussions had been broadly positive, though it was noted that there had been a lack of specificity on the issue of governance training (re: Remit Letter task). 4.3 Funding Gap 2005/06 (Annex Restricted to meeting attendees.) 2

3 Council received and considered a draft report on the Funding Gap 2005/06, and provided steers on the covering letter to the Minister with the report. The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under sections 22 and 36 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information potentially prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs and also which is intended for future publication. i to iv 4.4 Metrics-based Approach to Research Assessment: Council considered a proposal to undertake a consultation, in partnership with the other UK higher education funding bodies on the key proposals for the research assessment of science-based disciplines. Council further noted: i) the positive perception that had arisen from the HEFCE-convened meeting held in August 2007 about the feasibility of a metrics-based approach for science-based subjects. ii) that HEFCE would shortly be commissioning work to analyse the 2001 RAE which would provide a good basis for comparator work. to take forward sector consultation, and to ensure that a Welsh HEI is included in the pilot exercise which HEFCE will undertake in 2008 to test the methodology further. 4.5 Evaluation of Institutional Disability Equality Schemes Council received a proposal to commission a review of institutional disability equality schemes to consider issues of statutory compliance as well as collecting examples of good practice for dissemination across the sector. The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information which is commercially sensitive. i and ii 4.6 Learning and Teaching Fund Council received and considered a proposal for use of the Learning and Teaching Fund 2007/08. 3

4 i) to approve the use of 19,000 for the NUS project to enhance student representation in Wales in support of the institutional review process; ii) to approve the allocation of 5,000 from the Learning and Teaching Fund for travel and subsistence expenses for the Learning and Teaching Committee and the E-Learning Subgroup 4.7 Institutional visit to Swansea Institute of Higher Education 28 June 2007 Council received and noted the notes of the Institutional Visit to Swansea Institute of Higher Education held 28 June Resolved to receive the notes of the Visit. 4.8 Outcomes of Reaching Wider/Widening Access Advice to the Minister Council received and considered a copy of the advice on the future direction of Widening Access and the Reaching Wider Initiative, submitted to the then Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills on 29 June 2007 and the response received on 22 August. Resolved to note the advice submitted to the Minister on Widening Access and the Reaching Wider Initiative, and the Minister s response. 4.9 Advice to Welsh Assembly Government on measures to increase Research Council Income Council received advice submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government on 29 June 2007 on further measures which could be taken to assist the sector to increase its share of Research Council grant income. Resolved to note the advice submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government Draft Annual Report and Annual Public Meeting Council received and considered the draft Annual Report and proposals for the Annual Public meetings in December i) to forward comments on the draft Annual Report to the Head of Planning and Corporate Governance; 4

5 ii) iii) to delegate authority to the Chairman and Chief Executive to approve the final version of the Annual Report; and to hold an Annual Public meeting in both South East Wales (Cardiff Bay area) and in North/West Wales in December 2007, and to investigate the possibility of tying the latter to other HE events in the region New independent membership of the Reconfiguration and Collaboration Fund Panel Council considered a proposal for an appointment to the Reconfiguration and Collaboration Fund Panel. The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 40 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain personal information. i and ii 4.12 National Student Survey (NSS) Council received the results of the National Student Survey 2007, the summary outcomes of which had been released on 12 September and noted that it was unlikely the results would be available on the Unistats website (UCAS) until November at the earliest. to note the publication of the NSS data for 2007, welcome the conclusions reached for Wales as a whole, and note the delay in the launch of the Unistats website MEDICAL EDUCATION (Brought forward from For information section of the agenda - paper HEFCW/07/85) The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information which is potentially prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs. i and ii 5. E-LEARNING STRATEGY (HEFCW/07/65) 5.1 Council received and considered the draft Council circular on the E-learning Strategy consultation, which included responses to the consultation on the Statement of Position of E-Learning in Higher Education in Wales. 5

6 5.2 that the Strategy was an enabling Framework, and that e-learning now was more appropriately referred to as Technology-enhanced Learning ; 5.3 The importance of including assessment as a key area for attention in the e- learning strategy and that HEIs also needed to recognise the appropriate and inappropriate use of e-learning in enhancing learning. 5.4 that the Council had allocated 200,000 per annum for three years to support technology-enhanced learning developments, and that detailed proposals for the expenditure of this funding would be discussed with HEW. 5.5 that proposals for additional funding support were included later on the agenda (see minute 10.7) and these might impact on the discussions with HEW regarding the allocation process for the 200, that whilst in general the majority of the funding support for e-learning should be allocated to institutions, with appropriate monitoring and accountability, the Council also recognised the role of the HE Academy in helping to ensure maximum value is made of the funds by HEIs. 5.7 for members to inform the Senior Learning and Teaching Manager if they wished to attend the consultation event to be held 13 November to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to approve the final consultation for publication. 6. INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING: INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION (HEFCW/07/66) 6.1 Council received and considered the findings of the Estyn inspection of ITT at Aberystwyth University and subsequent officer action under the procedures for accreditation of providers of ITT. Council also noted that officers were engaged on revising the accreditation procedures, to reflect new Assembly subordinate legislation. The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information intended for future publication. 6.2 to INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING: RECONFIGURATION (HEFCW/07/67) 6

7 7.1 Council considered the response received from the Assembly Government following the submission of Council advice on ITT Reconfiguration. 7.2 the Assembly s acceptance of the Council s recommendations on ITT reconfiguration, including its assurance, in principle, to meet justifiable transition costs and also that changes to education research capacity would be considered as a separate matter. 7.3 the action taken by the Chairman to agree the continuation of the Secondary undergraduate ITT placement grants in 2008/ that meetings had been held with the Heads of SIHE and Trinity College and with the universities of Aberystwyth and Bangor and that the Chief Executive would be visiting NEWI on 25 September 2007 and UWIC and UW Newport on 1 October. 7.5 that officers had met with sector representatives to discuss a jointly funded HEFCW/ESRC Wales-wide network for educational research capacity building. 7.6 to note the recent developments on ITT reconfiguration. 8. WELSH MEDIUM PROVISION (HEFCW/07/68) 8.1 Council received and considered an update on Welsh Medium provision. 8.2 the transfer of the Welsh Medium Teaching Development Centre from the University of Wales to sector ownership (hosted by Trinity College, Carmarthen, with Dr Medwin Hughes as the accounting officer). 8.3 responses to the formal sector consultation undertaken on the future use of the Welsh Medium Provision Fund, including the concern of institutions affected by the possible phasing out of current arrangements. 8.4 to note the transfer of unallocated funding of 78,398 from the 2006/07 Welsh Medium Provision Development Fund to 2007/ to approve continuation of the present allocation system for the Welsh Medium Provision Fund 2007/08 following the approach set out in the consultation circular (W07/25HE). 8.6 To agree to defer a decision on the allocation method for 2008/09 until February

8 8.7 to receive the new constitution of the Welsh Medium Teaching Development Centre. 8.8 to agree in principle to the continuation of the core grant to the Welsh Medium Teaching Development Centre to 2010/11 9. THIRD MISSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES HELD 6 SEPT 2007 (HEFCW/07/86) [Brought forward from for information section] 9.1 Council considered the unconfirmed minutes of the meeting of the Third Mission Committee held 6 September 2007 and the tabled Commercialisation in Wales Report (the Gibson Review). The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information potentially prejudicial to the conduct of public affairs. 9.2 to STRATEGIC USE OF CORE FUNDING (HEFCW/07/69) The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 22 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information intended for future publication and Section 36 information potentially prejudicial to the conduct of public affairs to OPEN UNIVERSITY FUNDING (HEFCW/07/70) 11.1 Council considered funding proposals concerning the Open University in Wales that the Open University in Wales had requested that the Council s ringfencing period be extended for an additional two years, to 2008/09 and 2009/10, in order to allow time for a fuller exploration of the implications of funding the OU completely through HEFCW s teaching funding model and initiative funding streams a request for additional funding from the Strategic Development Fund to extend the suspended funded project to explore collaboration opportunities for the Open University in Wales with the rest of the Welsh sector. 8

9 11.4 to approve the extension of Open University in Wales ring-fencing funding to 2009/ to approve an additional 10k for Open University in Wales collaboration project from the Strategic Development Fund. 12. RECONFIGURATION AND COLLABORATION (HEFCW/07/71) 12.1 Dr Len Arthur reiterated the declaration that he is employed as a member of staff at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, including involvement for UWIC in the pan-wales expression of interest in developing a Wales Regeneration Network. The Chief Executive reiterated the declaration that his partner is employed at the Swansea Institute of Higher Education Council received and noted progress with reconfiguration and collaboration since its last meeting on 29 June The paragraphs below are exempt from disclosure under section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act as they contain information which is potentially prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs and section 43 (information which is commercially sensitive) to ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no further business reported. 14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Council noted the date of the next meeting as 18 October 2007 to be held at the HEFCW Offices, Llanishen to be followed by meeting with Heads of HEIs to 1pm Fri 19 October: 15. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE ASSURANCE STATEMENT (HEFCW/07/72) 15.1 Council received and noted the draft Annual Governance Assurance Statement on the quality of governance in the HE sector to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to approve any amendments to be made following any comments received from Council members. 9

10 16. AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE MINUTES: MEETING HELD 10 JULY 2007 (HEFCW/07/73) 16.1 Council received and noted unconfirmed minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee held 10 July to receive, subject to the confirmation by the Committee, the minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting held 10 July FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CAPITAL FUNDING (HEFCW/07/74) 17.1 Council received and noted details of the new arrangements for capital funding with effect from to approve new arrangements for capital funding with effect from AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT (HEFCW/07/75) 18.1 Council received and noted the Annual Report of the Audit and Risk Committee to approve the Annual Report of the Audit and Risk Committee LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING HELD 22 JUNE 2007 (HEFCW/07/76) 19.1 Council received and noted the minutes of the meeting of the Learning and Teaching Committee held 22 June to approve, subject to the confirmation by the Committee, the minutes of the meeting of the Learning and Teaching Committee held 22 June CORPORATE RISK REGISTER (HEFCW/07/77) 20.1 Council received and noted the Corporate Risk Register and also proposed developments to the current risk assessment processes and procedures i) to approve the latest version of the Corporate Risk Register. 10

11 ii) to agree to the proposed developmental changes to the risk assessment process. 21. WIDENING ACCESS COMMITTEE MINUTES: MEETING HELD 12 JUNE 2007 (HEFCW/07/78) 21.1 Council received and noted the minutes of the meeting of the Widening Access Committee meeting held 12 June to approve, subject to the confirmation by the Committee, the minutes of the meeting of the Widening Access Committee meeting held 12 June APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING HELD 29 JUNE 2007 (HEFCW/07/79) 22.1 Council received and noted the minutes of the meeting of the Appointments Committee meeting held 29 June i) to receive the minutes of the meeting of the Appointments Committee meeting held 29 June ii) iii) iv) to ratify the proposed amendments to its Terms of Reference. to ratify proposed amendments to Council s Standing Orders. to agree a number of points of detail on appointments procedures including maintaining a list of potential members. v) to note a number of new committee appointments. 23. ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL HEALTH: SECTOR AND INSTITUTIONAL (HEFCW/07/80) MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ONLY 23.1 Council received and noted the financial health of the three higher education institutions (HEIs) which had been required to submit mid year financial returns at the end of March to note the Analysis of Financial Health of the HEIs. 24. WIDENING ACCESS STRATEGY FEEDBACK (HEFCW/07/81 TABLED) 11

12 24.1 Council received and noted key developments relating to institutions widening access strategies 2006/09 and widening access strategy fund allocations for 2007/08. i) to note institutions progress with and planned developments in widening, access provision. ii) to note the Chief Executive s approval, under delegated authority, of the 2007/08 institutional widening access strategy allocations. 25. WELSH LANGUAGE SCHEME REPORT (HEFCW/07/82) 25.1 Council received and noted the second annual compliance Welsh Language Scheme Report to note the Welsh Language Scheme Report as submitted to the Welsh Language Board. 26. HR COMMITTEE MINUTES MEETING HELD: 14 JUNE 2007 (HEFCW/07/83) MEMBERS ONLY 26.1 Council received and noted the minutes of the HR sub-committee meeting held 14 June to note the minutes of the HR sub-committee meeting held 14 June ORGANISATIONAL DESIGN (HEFCW/07/84) 27.1 Council received and noted an update on the Council Organisational Design to note the Council Organisational Design update. 28. APRIL TO JUNE 2007 (Q1) MONITORING REPORT HEFCW FINANCIAL YEAR (HEFCW/07/87) 28.1 Council received and noted the financial monitoring on programme and running cost expenditure for the period April to June 2007 (Q1) and an update on the financial year position, on a cash basis, including cash brought forward, for the period to note the April to June 2007 (Q1) Monitoring Report HEFCW Financial Year

13 Signature Date 13

I set out below my response to the Report s individual recommendations.

I set out below my response to the Report s individual recommendations. Written Response to the Enterprise and Business Committee s Report on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Skills by the Minister for Education and Skills November 2014 I would like to set