Reports

Report of the Council on an initiated Grace (USS consultation, consultative voting)

The Council begs leave to report to the University as follows:

1. In its Notice published on 24 November 2010 (Reporter, 2010–11, p. 200), the Council published the terms of an initiated Grace asking for consultative voting on the then current USS consultation. The Council said that it was arranging for a consultative vote, stating that there was therefore no purpose in proceeding with a Grace, and indicated that to comply with the terms of Statute A, VIII the Council would report formally in due course. This is that Report.

2. The consultative voting has now taken place. The form of the voting paper was discussed with representatives of those requesting the process. Voting papers were distributed to those concerned, together with an explanatory paper, which included the proposals put to the Joint Negotiating Committee by the Employers Pensions Forum and by UCU. Web references were also given. Members were reminded that it was important to be aware that the formal method for an affected person to express a view was individually during the consultation period (by 22 December 2010). It was pointed out that the employer (the University in this case) did not have a formal entitlement to express a view in the consultation period.

3. The result was announced on 20 December 2010 (the last day for the return of papers, and two days before the USS consultation with members closed). The results were:

In favour of UCU’s proposals	802
In favour of the employers’ proposals	186

The total number of valid votes received was 988. Eight spoiled papers and one blank paper were also received. 6,388 voting papers had been distributed.

4. The Council is grateful to the University Draftsman and the Pensions Office for making efficient arrangements for this consultative voting at short notice.

5. The Nominated Consultation Co-ordinator for the University has informed USS of the results of the consultative voting.

6. The consultation with individual members within the University closed on 22 December 2010, and the University has fulfilled all of its obligations under the terms of the consultation.

7. The Council therefore recommends:

That approval be given to its decision not to submit the Grace set out in the Notice of 24 November 2010.

17 January 2011	L. K. Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor	I. M. Le M. Du Quesnay	Vanessa Lawrence
	David Abulafia	A. M. Donald	R. Lethbridge
	A. Andrews	R. J. Dowling	R. Mansigani
	N. Bampos	N. J. Gay	Mavis McDonald
	R. J. Barnes	David Good	S. Oosthuizen
	D. Casserley	A. Hopper	Rachael Padman
	S. J. Cowley	Christopher Hum	J. Shakeshaft
	M. J. Daunton	F. P. Kelly	S. Wakeford