This Notice is in reply to the Twelfth Report of the Board of Scrutiny (Reporter, 2006-07, p. 914) and to the remarks made at the Discussion of the Report held on 9 October 2007 (Reporter, 2007-08, p. 86).
Before the Discussion the Council published an informative Notice of points of assistance to members of the Regent House and others (Reporter, 2007-08, p. 3).
The Council commented in the preliminary Notice on the Board's remarks about University governance (paragraphs 25-32). The Council has since reported to the University about the next steps on governance, following the consultative process which took place through the issue of the recent green paper on governance (see Reporter, p. 109). The Council notes again that the Board welcomes the green paper's emphasis on governance being driven by purpose and effective policy, rather than by structural change for its own sake (paragraph 28); the Board's opinion in favour of a maximum of four external, independent, members of the Council (paragraph 29); and the Board's statement that it does not believe that this will have a significant effect on the overall balance of the Council (paragraph 29).
Below, the Council comments on the specific recommendations contained in the Board's Report in the light of remarks made at the Discussion.
1. Efforts should continue to be made to achieve a more accessible presentation of financial information.
Such efforts continue and the Council gives priority to developing good financial and other information for planning, budgetary, and strategic purposes.
2. The results of the analysis to be provided to the Council and the PRC into the 50% increase in academic-related staff numbers over the last five years should be published.
Information about staff numbers and an analysis thereof is to be provided as soon as possible.
3. All formal annual or similar reports on transparency, efficiency, accountability and value for money relating to the UAS should be made available to members of the Regent House.
Subject to proper considerations of confidentiality, including individuals' rights under the Data Protection Act, the Council agrees that such reports about any University institution should be made available.
4. Any reorganization of Non-School Institutions should focus only on areas where expectation of an improvement in performance and value-for-money can be reasonably demonstrated.
Any reorganization should lead to these outcomes or to improved management, accountability, or service delivery.
5. The newly appointed Registrary should be given the opportunity to review the proposals for the development of the UAS prior to their implementation.
The present Registrary, in office from 1 October 2007, is pursuing the development of the Unified Administrative Service.
6. The Strategic Implementation Plan should be published by EMBS when completed.
This Plan will be published by the Council, rather than by the Estate Management and Building Service, probably in the Lent Term 2008.
7. The forthcoming consultation process on North-West Cambridge should include a Green Paper and a further Report to the Regent House before the outline planning proposal is finalized and submitted.
Discussions are continuing with the local planning authorities on the basis of the previous Report and Grace. The situation is in some respects fluid, and further proceedings may be necessary before fuller proposals can be prepared for consideration by the University. The Council hopes that a Notice can be published as soon as possible.
8. The newly appointed Registrary and Director of MISD should review with some urgency both the governance and implementation aspects of CamSIS and whether there are likely to be any cost increases incurred in bringing the system up to standard that could affect the long term cost-effectiveness of the project.
As mentioned in the earlier Notice, the Council is well aware of the achievement and potential of CamSIS, the student information system, and also of the problems particularly arising from the failure of a major supplier. The Council agrees that the Registrary and the new Director of the Management Information Services Division should review the governance and implementation of CamSIS, and indeed any other aspects of the project which require their attention. The Council expects the Registrary and the Director to report to it about CamSIS before the end of the Michaelmas Term 2007.
9. The University should review existing electronic and other means of communication with a view to improving the way it communicates with staff.
The Council expects to receive proposals about improving internal communications during 2007-08. A review being undertaken by the Director of External Affairs and Communications is taking place, which will inform these proposals.
10. In any future situation where staff are asked to provide information for central processing, all should receive full information on the process and its implications before responses are required.
This recommendation related to the pay and grading process, which was necessarily conducted within constraints of timing and developing policies.
11. Relevant Departmental administrators should be given HERA training to facilitate the grading of new and vacant posts.
Not all departmental administrators need this training. The matter has been referred to the Personnel Committee for consideration.
12. The University should publish detailed statistical information on staff pay, including all the information promised in the amended Graces of 27 July 2005, as soon as possible and annually thereafter.
Information has already been published about the Pay and Grading exercise (Reporter, 2006-07, p. 612) and about the Professorial pay review (Reporter, 2006-07, p. 770). Further statistical information has now also been published (see p. 220). An equal pay audit and an impact analysis are in hand.