Please note, full Assembly papers, including the below, can be found on the Assembly pages here.
TO: Assembly
FROM: Kate McIntosh
RE: Board Report
DATE: 3 December 2019
_________________________________________________________________________
Report from the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees has not met since the last meeting of Assembly, but two Committees have convened for the first time, and the trustees’ report therefore gives Assembly insight into the discussions at these meetings.
People and Culture Committee
The People and Culture Committee met for the first time, and considered:
The Articles of Association; the trustees agreed to re-consider putting a proposal to amend the Articles of Association to referendum. The original case for reform was still valid, and more recently other matters had arisen which required reflection. The Board will therefore consider a proposal to amend the Articles at its January meeting.
The Elections Rules; the trustees considered a proposal from Assembly to amend the Elections Rules, and agreed to recommend the proposal to the University Secretary for her approval.
The trustees noted that the new Elections Rules were a clear improvement on the previous version but provisions were in tension with the existing Articles and Standing Orders. Article 4 provides that “If any dispute arises in relation to the interpretation of these articles or any of the Standing Orders it shall be resolved by the Board of Trustees.” People and Culture Committee were therefore of the view that:
People and Culture Committee therefore agreed that New Rules 18 to 20 could have no effect and would not be enforced by the Returning Officer.
Finally, People and Culture Committee noted the Chief Executive’s Review and Objectives.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee met for the first time, and considered:
DUCK development; including a report from the DUCK Chair of the success of student-led fundraising to date, and the plans for the year ahead.
Grant negotiation strategy; to support Durham SU in discussion with the University about continued funding for the students’ union.