Skip to main contentCambridge University Reporter

No 6472

Wednesday 5 July 2017

Vol cxlvii No 38

pp. 709–751

Notices

Calendar

11 July, Tuesday. Discussion in the Senate-House at 2 p.m. (see below).

21 July, Friday. Congregation of the Regent House at 10 a.m.

22 July, Saturday. Congregation of the Regent House at 10 a.m.

Discussion on Tuesday, 11 July 2017

The Vice-Chancellor invites those qualified under the regulations for Discussions (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 103) to attend a Discussion in the Senate-House on Tuesday, 11 July 2017, at 2 p.m., for the discussion of:

1. First-stage Report of the Council, dated 26 June 2017, on the alteration and refurbishment of two buildings on the Old Addenbrooke’s site (Reporter, 2016–17, 6471, p. 694).

2. First-stage Report of the Council, dated 26 June 2017, on the construction of a new Shared Facilities Hub building in West Cambridge (Reporter, 2016–17, 6471, p. 695).

3. Report of the Council, dated 26 June 2017, on a new geological collections building for the Department of Earth Sciences (Reporter, 2016–17, 6471, p. 697).

Office of Registrary: Appointment

29 June 2017

The Council gives notice that, following consultation with the Vice-Chancellor-Elect, it has appointed Emma Machteld Clara Rampton, M.A., Oxford, C.P.E., L.P.C., College of Law, London, Acting Registrary of the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, to the office of Registrary from 1 October 2017.

Report of the Council on the financial position and budget of the University, recommending allocations from the Chest for 2017–18: Notice in response to Discussion remarks

3 July 2017

The Council has received the remarks made at the Discussion on 27 June 2017 (p. 745) concerning the above Report (Reporter, 6469, 2016–17, p. 604).

The Council notes the remarks made by the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor on the financial pressures facing the University. It also notes the reminder from Dr Morfoot, in her capacity as a member of the Board of Scrutiny, of the Board’s role in scrutinizing this Report on behalf of the Regent House.

Mr Sargeant observes that market pay is only paid to those on Grade 9 and above. The Council acknowledges that the majority of market pay recipients are on Grade 9 and above, but clarifies that market pay arrangements can apply to any grade on the salary spine if there is objective market data to support them. As at 1 June 2017 there are staff members on Grades 6, 7, and 8 in receipt of market pay.

Mr Sargeant asks why the University has not signed up to be a Living Wage Employer accredited by the Living Wage Foundation. The Council confirms that the University continues to pay all employees, including those with variable hours, at the level of the Voluntary Living Wage (VLW) or above, which is a commitment that has been demonstrated since 2014. In practice this involves paying those staff on a pay point that falls below the VLW a supplement to bring their hourly rate of pay in line with the VLW. This position is reviewed each year and to date the University has agreed to maintain this approach in acknowledgment of the importance of ensuring rates of pay give due regard to the cost of living in the UK.

To answer Mr Sargeant’s question directly, the University chose not to seek accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation as it would thereby have no control over or input into future VLW increases which are applied each year. This position is kept under regular review. The Council also notes that the University offers its staff an attractive range of benefits that extend well beyond statutory requirements but which are not taken into consideration within the Living Wage Accreditation and which are not provided by many other employers.

Furthermore, the Council notes that the University is obliged to meet the new mandatory National Living Wage (NLW) introduced by the government on 1 April 2016 for workers aged 25 and over, and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for workers under the age of 25. These rates are reviewed by the Low Pay Commission annually. A review of the first few grades of the single salary spine in light of the rising VLW, NLW, and NMW rates is due to be considered by the Remuneration Working Group in Michaelmas Term 2017.

The Council acknowledges Mr Sargeant’s comments in respect of contractors and, whilst noting that the University invitation to tender documentation requires outsourced contractors to provide their policy with regards to the VLW, the Council proposes that further consideration is given to this matter by the HR Committee in Michaelmas Term 2017.

The Council is submitting a Grace (Grace 2, p. 722) for the approval of the recommendations of this Report.

Joint Report of the Council and the General Board on procedures for student complaints and reviews: Notice in response to Discussion remarks

3 July 2017

The Council has received the remarks made at the Discussion on 27 June 2017 (p. 746) concerning the above Report (Reporter, 6469, 2016–17, p. 628).

The Council thanks Professor Virgo, Mr Allen, Ms Sebatindira, Dr Frasca-Spada, and Professor Evans for their comments. With regard to Professor Evans’s last point, the Council notes that the proposed Ordinance (Annex A to the Report) provides a set of principles governing the procedures, and this new Ordinance would remain under the oversight of the Regent House.

The Council is submitting a Grace (Grace 3, p. 722) for the approval of the recommendations of this Report.