Board of Scrutiny

Noon, Thursday 14 October 2004

Room G26, Faculty of Law

Present:Stephen Cowley, Nicholas Holmes, John Little, TimothyMilner, Saskia Murk-Jansen, David Phillipson,Nick Pyper Jennifer Rigby, Roger Salmon, John Spencer(Chairman), Helen Thompson (Secretary)

Inattendance: Tessa Payne

1.Apologies

Margaret Glendenning

2.Election of Chairman and Secretary

John Spencer was elected nem con asChairman for the year ending 30 September 2005 (proposed by Stephen Cowley and seconded by David Phillipson).Helen Thompson was elected nem con as Secretary for the period to 31December 2004, and Nicholas Holmes for the period to 30 September 2005 (both proposedby Stephen Cowley and seconded by David Phillipson).

The Boardthanked Roger Salmon for his service, as this would be his last meeting.It was agreed that the Chair would write toSusan Bowring suggesting that the elections for the Board of Scrutiny vacancyand the Council took place at same time, as a means of saving costs.

3.Minutes of previous meeting

These wereagreed subject to checking the vacancy date of the Under-35 position on the Board .

4.Matters arising

There wereno matters arising.

5.The Vice-Chancellor’s address

The Boardconfirmed that the Vice-Chancellor’s address had been well received, althoughit has raised a slight concern about the future of College supervisions.

6.The Ninth Report - Discussion

It wasnoted that the Discussion of the Ninth Report will take place on Tuesday 26October.It was agreed that the Chairmanwould give a brief introduction and identify a few key aspects of theReport.The Chairman confirmed that hewould circulate a draft of his speech for comment prior to the Discussion.

7.New Pay and Grading Structure fornon-clinical staff - Discussion

It wasnoted that the response to the proposed New Pay and Grading Structure fornon-clinical staff had been generally hostile.There had been a number of factual criticisms, which included concernsabout the impact of the proposal on the remuneration of staff at the lower endof the scale.The Board noted that theReport did not follow the terminology enshrined in the Statutes and Ordinances,in that they have no reference to academic-related staff, although thiscategory of staff had been referred to in the Report.Additionally, the Board have a concern aboutthe implications of widening membership of the Regent House.The Board noted that although there arealways concerns when any new system is introduced, it is vital that theseconcerns are addressed if the system is to be satisfactorily implemented, andthat the introduction of the new system should not be rushed, to the potentialdetriment of staff relations and the University as a whole.

It wasagreed that the Board would prepare a written submission on the current draft,and that a sub-committee would be convened to do this.Membership of the sub-committee was confirmedas Stephen Cowley, Nicholas Holmes, Jennifer Rigbyand John Spencer.A first draft will beprepared by Stephen Cowley and Nicholas Holmes forthe next meeting of the Board.

8.Personnel Department

The Boardagreed that a meeting should be arranged with Peter Deer as soon as possible,to discuss the Review of Personnel and the Report on Pay and Grading.

It wasagreed that the Secretary would contact peter Deer requesting a meeting in thefirst week of November.Attendees wouldbe the sub-committee and anyone else who wished and was able to attend.

9.Programme for the year

It wasthat attention would be focussed initially on the Report on Pay and Grading,with consideration being given to publishing a Report following the publicationof the next version of the Report from the Personnel Department.This possibility would be discussed withPeter Deer at the meeting with him.Additionally the Accounts would be reviewed in detail following theirpublication in December, with a particular interest in the progress of the RAM,and joined-up budgeting.A meeting withAndrew Reid would be arranged in due course.A meeting with the Board of Graduate Studies would be considered in theLent Term.Additionally a Report on IPR was expected later this term which theBoard would review, along with the issue of delegation.

10.Any other business

There wasno further business

11.Date of next meeting

The nextmeeting will be held on Thursday 28 October.Venue to be confirmed.