2011 Annual Statement of Governing Body Effectiveness
1. The Governing Body agreed to issue an annual statement on the means by which it reviewed its own effectiveness and that of the University, for communication to stakeholders. There are two main elements to assuring Governor effectiveness. The means of holding officers on the Executive to account for the quality of provision by, and the outcomes of, the institution, together with the processes that support those achievements. Secondly, the contribution made to the strategic direction of the University, including an involvement in its improvement and development, and monitoring the delivery of the Strategic Plan.
2. The Chairs’ Committee remained
responsible for oversight of the effectiveness of the Governing Body
at Canterbury Christ Church University during the academic year
2010/11. Matters relating to Governing Body effectiveness were
considered at each meeting.
3. The appointment of Professor Robin
Baker as the University’s Vice-Chancellor with effect from 1
September 2010 has encouraged a re-forming of the relationship
between the Executive and the Governing Body with more clearly
triangulated reporting lines between the Vice-Chancellor, the
Pro-Chancellor/Deputy Pro-Chancellor and the Clerk to the Governing
Body.
4. The Governing Body has made a
significant contribution to the strategic direction of the
institution through their involvement with the University’s new
Strategic Plan. The framework for the review and the
Vice-Chancellor’s suggested ‘bottom up’ approach, involving
consultation with a large number of staff and external stakeholders,
was approved at the Governors’ September meeting.
Progress of the review was considered at the Governors’ November
meeting and more particularly at a two day away event in January
involving the Board and members of the Senior Management Team.
Options associated with each of the high level strategic
propositions were considered by Governors at a further away event in
February prior to the Strategic Plan’s approval at a full Board
meeting in March. In addition, Governors approved the risk
appetite that the University should seek to adopt in meeting the
various challenges it faces, including those associated with
achieving the Strategic Plan targets.
5. The Governing Body’s oversight of
academic governance and their responsibilities for “the
determination of the educational character and mission of the
University”, as laid down within the Constitution, has been
strengthened in the current academic year. A proposal has been
accepted that there shall be one joint meeting of the Governing Body
and Academic Board in each academic year to allow Governors to have
a greater understanding of, and involvement in, the academic
governance arrangements of the University.
6. The Chairs’ Committee established a
group of Governors and approved terms of reference for a Governor
led review of the University’s governance arrangements. The
group, led by the Deputy Pro-Chancellor, began meeting following the
finalisation of the University’s Strategic Plan. The review,
which is expected to conclude in November 2011, will be a means by
which the Governing Body can satisfy itself on the Governing Body’s
effectiveness and on the performance of the institution itself.
7. The Governing Body received a report
detailing the University’s performance as measured in the context of
the high level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPI reports
were also received by the Employment and Staffing and Estates
Committees during the current academic year. Other Governing
Body Committees are developing KPIs as a means of reporting on
institutional performance in different areas of activity. The
recently established Governor Effectiveness Working Group will
consider the adequacy of the agreed institutional KPIs in light of
the new Strategic Plan and the changing context within the
University sector. The development of new KPIs will also
become a means by which the Governors satisfy themselves concerning
the monitoring and delivery of the new Strategic Plan.
8. Governors continue to monitor the
University’s performance, and views expressed by students in the
National Student Survey. Significantly improving the
University’s position in league tables by delivering an outstanding
student experience is a key objective within the University’s
Strategic Plan which will be closely monitored by the Governing Body
through implementation and delivery of the Plan.
9. In relation to Governing Body
effectiveness at a Committee level, the Health and Safety Committee
has been operating within revised terms of reference during the
current academic year. The Committee has adopted a more
clearly defined strategic remit with matters of operational
management considered by the Responsible Persons Group which now
reports directly to the Executive Senior Management Team on health
and safety matters.
10. Governor involvement outside the
traditional structure of meetings has continued with the use of
working groups. The briefing of Committee Chairs before and
between meetings has continued as an effective means for Governors
to engage in the institution and prepare for their chairing roles.
Buddying arrangements for non-chairs, paired with members of the
Senior Management Team, have continued and have provided a useful
way for Governors to better understand the University’s work.
11. The above statement represents an
overview of how the Governing Body reviewed its own effectiveness
and that of the University during the academic year 2010/11.
