University Executive Board minutes - 8 November 2022

On

Date:

8 November 2022

Present:

Professor K Lamberts (KL) (in the Chair), Professor A Blom (AB), Professor J Derrick (JD), Professor S Fitzmaurice (SF), Professor S Hartley (SH), J Jones (JJ), Professor J Litster (JL), R Sykes (RS), Professor G Valentine (GV), Professor M Vincent (MV), Professor C Watkins (CW), I Wright (IW)

In attendance:

J Strachan (JS), T Wray (TW), R Gower (RG) (Item 2)

Apologies:

-

Secretary:

K Sullivan (KS), Dr E Smith (ES)

  1. Closed Minute and Paper

  2. Developing Excellent Heads of Departments

    • (RG in attendance for this item)

    • UEB considered proposals to enhance the provision of support and development for academic Heads of Department (HoDs), following discussions at a UEB-HoDs Away Day in April 2022. The related paper detailed the current processes in place and recommended a series of new measures to aid the induction and ongoing engagement of HoDs throughout their tenure, as well as during their subsequent periods in academia.

    • During discussion, Members agreed that it was important to demonstrate UEB's willingness to listen and respond to HoDs; developing a pipeline of academic leaders had also been recognised by Council as a crucial element of succession planning. It was further noted that Faculty Directors could benefit from a similar offer.

    • UEB approved the proposals to:

      • Enhance the current year one development provision for HoDs.

      • Extend development provision to all HoDs throughout their tenure.

      • Introduce an annual review to enable improved forward planning of development for HoDs approaching the end of their term in office.

      • Develop further mechanisms to utilise the experiences of former HoDs, who could make a valuable contribution to committees and special projects.

  3. Closed Minute and Paper

  4. Closed Minute and Paper

  5. Closed Minute and Paper

  6. Speech and Language Therapy Apprenticeship

    • UEB considered an updated proposal for a new Speech and Language Therapy apprenticeship. The principal driver for revisiting the apprenticeship was to gain assurance about its ongoing importance to the University.

    • During discussion, Members agreed that it would be beneficial for the University to develop its Apprenticeship Strategy in the coming years and to consider provision in other parts of the University where there was incipient interest.

    • UEB approved the planned launch of the apprenticeship in September 2023.

  7. Closed Minute and Paper

  8. Closed Minute and Paper

  9. Report of the UEB Estates and Capital Sub Group

    • UEB approved the report, including a number of proposals set out in the related paper and accompanying business cases, subject to Finance Committee and/or Council approval where relevant in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation.

  10. Report of the UEB Health and Safety Committee

    • UEB received and approved the report, including:

      • UEB Health and Safety Committee’s (H&SC’s) Terms of Reference and Membership, noting that a review of the Committee was proposed and that the outcome of this review, including the expected formulation of new Terms of Reference and Membership, would be presented in the next report of the Committee to UEB.

      • The three Health and Safety Policies appended to the report

    • With regard to the proposed review of the Committee, clarification was provided in discussion that this would be one intervention in a range of other measures to drive positive change in the University’s H&S culture.. It was also noted that some of the planned review activities would entail consultation with the campus trade unions (TUs) and the Co-Chairs of the Joint University Campus Committee (JUCC).

  11. Round Table

    • Industrial Action: IW provided an update on preparations for the upcoming industrial action, including in the provision of learning and teaching.