University Council
The role and function of Council
Council is the governing body of the University. It carries out its business by following the Instrument and Articles of Government approved by the Privy Council.
Council is responsible for the educational character and mission of the University. It oversees financial probity, the employment policy for staff and the corporate policies, rules and procedures that underpin how Bucks is governed.
It is also Council’s responsibility to establish an Audit Committee, set up a Senate and keep its constitution under review, and make recommendations to the Privy Council if the Instrument or the Articles of Government need revising.
In addition to the Audit Committee, Council has established a number of sub-committees to support its work. See the separate sub-pages for more information about these bodies, including terms of reference, membership, minutes (Council only) and dates of meetings for the current academic year.
The Council Committees document includes full details of constitutions and terms of reference, as well as a structure diagram, while the Council Procedures and Scheme of Delegation provide further information on how Council operates.
Council Members
The constitution allows for 25 Council members. Most members are independent or co-opted from beyond the University. There are also five members of University staff, including:
- The Vice-Chancellor
- An elected academic representative
- An elected representative of the University’s Professional Service Employees (PSEs)
- Two members nominated from the membership of Senate
The President of Bucks Students’ Union is also a member.
As well as their duties on Council, Council members are expected to serve on at least one standing or sub-committee. There are currently five standing committees that report into Council. These are Audit, Governance, Honorary Awards, Remuneration and Resources committees.
The Council Membership pages contain full profiles of our current members.
Council Committees
Introduction
Audit Committee meets three or four times a year and reports to Council. The main duty of the committee is to advise Council on how to establish and review the procedures for auditing the University’s activities.
Membership
Audit Committee consists of up to 5 independent / co-opted members of Council and a specialist external co-option.
Membership for the academic year 2019-2020 is as follows:
| Name | Position | Term / Category of Office |
| John Smith | Independent Member | Chair |
| Andy Cole | Independent Member | |
| Irene Kirkman | Independent Member | |
| Anthony Murphy | Independent Member | |
| Supriya Sobti | Independent Member | |
| Stephen Jordan | Specialist External Co-option |
Also in attendance will be the Vice-Chancellor, a Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Director and Deputy Director of Finance, the Director of Strategic Development & Change and Internal and External Auditors.
Terms of Reference
Please see the Council Committees document.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates for 2019-2020 are as follows:
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location | Meeting Type |
| 24 September 2019 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
| 5 November 2019 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
| 28 January 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
| 9 June 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
Officers
Secretary: Ellie Smith, Academic Registrar and Clerk to Council (x3554)
Minute Secretary: Kam Ahumibe, Registry Officer, Academic Registry (x5654)
Introduction
The Governance Committee meets three times a year and reports to Council. The Governance Committee is responsible for looking after issues relating to the governance of the University.
Membership
Governance Committee consists of the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor, the President of the Students' Union and a minimum of 3 independent members of Council. A member of UET may also sit in the Committee by the Chair's invitation.
Membership for the academic year 2019-2020 is as follows:
| Name | Position | Term / Category of Office |
| Irene Kirkman | Deputy Chair of Council | Ex-officio (Chair) |
| Professor Nick Braisby | Vice-Chancellor, Internal Member | Ex-officio |
| Dr Michael Hipkins | Chair of Council | Ex-officio |
| Anthony Murphy | Independent Member | |
| Tao Warbuton | President of the Students' Union, Internal Member | Ex-officio |
| Cheryl Pitt | Academic Elected Member | |
| Dr Susan Rosser | Independent Member |
Terms of Reference
Please see the Council Committees document.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates for 2019-2020 are as follows:
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location | Meeting Type |
| 8 October 2019 | 14:00 | 16:00 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
| 4 February 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
| 26 May 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
Officers
Secretary: Ellie Smith, Academic Registrar and Clerk to Council (x3554)
Minute Secretary: Kam Ahumibe Registry Officer (Governance & Quality) (x5654)
Honorary Awards Committee - Introduction, Membership, Terms of Reference, Meeting Dates and Officers
Introduction
The Honorary Awards Committee meets once a year and reports to Council and Senate. The main purpose of this Committee is to consider nominations for honorary awards of the University (both degrees and fellowships) on a confidential basis.
Membership
The Honorary Awards Committee consists of the Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and the two Senate members of Council, as well as 3 independent or co-opted members of Council and one member of Senate nominated annually by the Chair of Senate.
Membership for the academic year 2019-2020 is as follows:
| Name | Position | Term / Category of Office |
| Dr Michael Hipkins | Chair of Council | Ex-officio (Chair) |
| Professor Nick Braisby | Interim Vice-Chancellor | Ex-officio |
| Gurdeep Chadha | Independent Member | |
| Paul Morgan | Senate Nominee | |
| Anthony Murphy | Independent Member | |
| Bob Shennan | Independent Member | |
| Phil Wood MBE | Senate Member of Council | Ex-officio |
The Deputy / Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Clerk to the Council will also be in attendance.
Terms of Reference
Please see the Council Committees document.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates for 2019-2020 are as follows:
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location | Meeting Type |
| 5 February 2019 | 14:00 | 15:30 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
Officers
Secretary: Lorna West, Vice-Chancellor's Office (x3002)
Introduction
The Remuneration Committee meet twice a year and reports to Council. As a committee of the University Council, Remuneration acts under delegated authority to consider the performance and remuneration of senior employees. Please see our Public Information page for our Remuneration Committee Annual Reports.
Membership
Remuneration Committee consists of the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, the Chairs of Audit and Resources Committees and the Vice-Chancellor.
Membership for the academic year 2019-2020 is as follows:
| Name | Position | Term / Category of Office |
| Irene Kirkman | Deputy Chair of Council Chair of Governance Committee | Ex-officio (Chair) |
| Michael Hipkins | Chair of Council | Ex-officio |
| John Smith | Chair of Audit Committee | Ex-officio |
| Tim Marshall | Chair of Resources Committee | Ex-officio |
The Vice-Chancellor and Director of Human Resources will also be in attendance. The Vice-Chancellor will leave the meeting when matters relating to their own remuneration are discussed.
Terms of Reference
Please see the Council Committees document.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates for 2019-20 are as follows:
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location | Meeting Type |
| 3 March 2020 | 14:00 | 15:30 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
| 14 July 2020 | 15:00 | 17:00 | HW-VCCR | Standard Business |
Officers
Secretary: Ellie Smith, Academic Registrar and Clerk to Council (x3554)
Associate Secretary: Alexandra Bode-Tunji, Director of Human Resources
Introduction
The Resources Committee meets three times a year and reports to Council. The Resources Committee is responsible for recommending the annual operating and capital budget.
Membership
Resources Committee consists of the Chair and Deputy Chair of Council, the Vice-Chancellor and a minimum of 6 (maximum 8) independent or co-opted members of Council (one of whom will be Chair).
Membership for the academic year 2019-2020 is as follows:
| Name | Position | Term / Category of Office |
| Tim Marshall | Independent Member | Chair |
| Dr Michael Hipkins | Chair of Council | Ex-officio |
| Anna Crabtree | Independent Member | |
| Professor Nick Braisby | Vice-Chancellor | Ex-officio |
| Joanna Boardman | Elected PSE Representative | |
| Maggie James | Independent Member | |
| Annet Gamell | Independent Member | |
| Ken McCrea | Co-opted Member | |
| Dr Susan Rosser | Independent Member |
The Deputy / Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for resources, the Director of Finance and the Director of Human Resources will also be in attendance.
Terms of Reference
Please see the Council Committees document.
Meeting Dates
Meeting dates for 2019-2020 are as follows;
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Location | Meeting Type |
| 22 October 2019 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
| 3 March 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
| 23 June 2020 | 16:00 | 18:00 | HW-G5.05 | Standard Business |
Officers
Secretary: Ellie Smith, Academic Registrar and Clerk to Council (x3554)
Minute Secretary: Marcus Wood, Principal Registry Officer (Governance & Quality), Academic Registry (x5066)
University Seal and Coat of Arms
If you would like to use the University Seal and/or our Coat of Arms, please make sure to follow our guidelines. You can read about the process involved and download an application form via the links below.
- University Seal process and application form (Word)
- University Coat of Arms process and application form (Word)
Useful Council resources
The following external links / resources may also be of interest:
- Committee of University Chairs, the representative body for the Chairs of UK universities
- Governing bodies, equality and diversity: A handbook for governors of higher education institutions, Equality Challenge Unit, November 2016
