Council is the governing body of the University. It is the legal entity and ultimate authority of the University and it is unambiguously and collectively accountable for institutional activities, taking all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern within its remit.
The Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) is the formal Secretary of the University. Any enquiries about the constitution and governance of the University should be addressed to her via the Interim Director of Strategic Planning and Governance, Victoria Grey, on v.grey@lancaster.ac.uk.
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Council are collectively responsible for the University. Members need to be satisfied that processes and procedures are in place which are sufficient and effective in running the business of the University. As the University is an exempt charity, all Council members are Trustees of the University.
Learn more about our governing body including the role of Council members and biographies on the members by visiting our Council members page.
The Charter, first granted in 1964, sets out the purpose and powers of the University. The Statutes underpin the Charter and both the Charter and the Statutes are approved by the Privy Council.
Ordinances support the Charter and Statutes and are created and approved by the Council. Other regulations may be created and approved by Council or by other committees on delegated authority from the Council.
Please note that the minutes are usually published following formal approval at the next meeting.
The powers of Council are outlined in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances (see in particular Statute 10). Council has also approved a Statement of Primary Responsibilities of Council. The Council has reserved certain types of decision to itself and these are defined in Ordinance No. 4 (Matters reserved to Council for decision).
The organogram of decision making sets out delegated authority visually.
The Council Standing Orders are the written rules which regulate the proceedings of Council.
The Standing Orders for committees are the rules on the way in which the business of those committees, in particular the Council, the Senate and their sub-committees, are conducted, for example, rules of debate, methods of voting, powers of the chair, etc. The Standing Orders for committees were approved at Council in May 2022 and have been created for all sub-committees to simplify and standardise the approach, while allowing for individual committee requirements where needed.
The University’s Council has embarked on a review of its effectiveness. The review has been led by an external, independent review team from higher education specialists AdvanceHE.
The effectiveness review has been commissioned as part of Council’s commitment to best practice and continuous improvement.
Council established a Council Effectiveness Steering Group chaired by Deputy Pro-Chancellor Professor Ella Ritchie. This group developed the scope and brief for the review based on Council’s feedback.
Review activity included:
the observation of a range of governance meetings including Council and some of its sub committees;
an assessment of key documentation;
interviews and surveys with members of Council, Executive and regular contributors to Council business;
benchmarking against the sector.
Key areas of focus for the review included:
how Council is supported and developed to ensure that its members have the combined skills to tackle current and emerging issues given the complex and challenging operating environment for universities and, to ensure that the most is being made of Council members’ skills, experience and expertise in delivering the University’s strategy;
its impact and performance and how this can be enhanced;
ways to innovate management of Council’s business to ensure that it is agile, and makes best use of its time while meeting OfS requirements and aspirations;
how Council can most effectively engage with new, emerging areas of business and governance.
A summary report of review outcomes. Council most recently monitored progress against the implementation plan at its meeting in March 2024.
