Code of Conduct of Members of Council
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Code of Conduct of Members of Council
1. As a member of the Council you should not bring the University or Council into disrepute. It is expected that you conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Seven Principles of Public Life set by the Committee on Standards in Public Life at all times. The seven principles are:
Selflessness | You should act solely in the public interest. You should not act in order to gain financial or other material benefits for yourselves, your family or your friends. |
Integrity | You should not put yourself under any financial or other obligations to others who might seek to Influence you in the performance of your official duties. |
Objectivity | You should act impartially, fairly and on merit especially when awarding contracts. |
Accountability | You are accountable for your decisions and actions to the public, and must submit yourself to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to your duties. |
Openness | You should be open as possible about all the decisions and actions you may take. You should give reasons for your decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands. |
Honesty | You have a duty to declare any private interests relating to your public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest. |
Leadership | You should promote, support and exhibit high standards of conduct and be willing to challenge poor behaviour. |
2. As a trustee you are responsible for the delivery of the University’s charitable objects. In your decision making, you must act in the interests of the beneficiaries of the charity. The range of beneficiaries is wide and varied, including students specifically and humankind generally. There will be times when conflicting priorities exist between different cohorts of beneficiaries. As a trustee you will be required to make judgements to ensure resource is appropriately allocated between activities and ensure that financial reserves are maintained to ensure the sustainability of the institution
3. Members of the Council must act within the powers conferred on them by the Charter and Statutes. If you or any other member act beyond such powers, you could incur personal liability for the consequences of an unauthorised or negligent action taken in the name of the University. You should also ensure that you are aware of, and abide by, the Financial Regulations of the University
4. You hold a position of trust which includes a duty of confidentiality in relation to the University and its connected parties.
5. You should be aware of their wider responsibilities as members of Council, namely that:
5.1. each member enjoys equal status and carries equal responsibility and accountability to every other member whilst involved in Council business;
5.2. no member of Council is a delegate of any body, section, person or interest;
5.3. in ensuring that the University complies with any statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds, the responsibilities of individual members of Council include:
- ensuring that high standards of corporate governance are observed at all times;
- establishing the overall strategic direction of the University within the policy and resources framework agreed with HEFCW;
- overseeing the delivery of planned results by monitoring performance against agreed strategic objectives and targets;
- ensuring that the Council operates within the limits of its authority and in accordance with any other conditions relating to the use of public funds;
- ensuring that, in reaching decisions, the Council has taken into account any guidance issued by HEFCW.
6. You should adopt an attitude of constructive inquiry in all matters, rather than merely acting as a body which automatically approves the actions and policies of the university executive.
7. The University is committed to supporting, developing and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all of its practices and activities and aims to establish an inclusive culture free from discrimination and based upon the values of dignity, courtesy and respect. You are expected to share and support this commitment.