union council 31 october 2019...2019/10/31 · union council 31 october 2019 time: 4pm – 6pm...

UNION COUNCIL

31 October 2019

Time: 4pm – 6pm

Room: Room 8, Gateway Building Floor 2 (City Campus)

___________________________________________________________

AGENDA

1. Welcome from the Chair

2. Apologies

3. Taking Membership and Declarations of Interest

4. Minutes/Notes of the last meeting

- 22 May 2019

- 14 October 2019

5. Trustee Board Update

- 29 April 2019

6. Ordinary Business

- President Updates and Forum Actions

- Current Make it Happen Ideas

- Policy – Stop the Ban on Bake Sales

- Policy – Make Sunderland SU Sustainable

- Society Grant Funding – Glass and Ceramics

7. Open Suggestions and Questions

8. AOB

9. Date and Time of Next Meeting:

- 28 November 2019, Reg Vardy 212e (St. Peter’s Campus)

UNION COUNCIL

22 May 2019

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Room: Reg Vardy Centre room 310 (St. Peter’s Campus)

___________________________________________________________

AGENDA


2. Apologies



5. Trustee Board Update

- 25 February 2019

- Recruitment of student trustees

- UC member for BoT recruitment


- President Updates and Forum Actions

- Current Make it Happen Ideas

- Access and Participation Plan – SU response

- Course Rep changes

- Skills Academy Training


8. AOB


- October 2019 (TBC)

UNION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

1. Welcome from the Chair – Mandi Purvis

2 Apologies and absence:

Apologies

Tracy Redhead (Chair of Union Council)

Erina Saloastrou (Course Rep)

Claire Proctor (Course Rep)

Sam Clark (Part Time Officer)

Yussra Hajaji (Course Rep)

Diana Lamb (Course Rep - not confirmed a member)

Absent

Beth Mason (Society)

Beth Hutchinson (Society)

Sarah Whitelaw (Course Rep)

Helder Costa (School Coordinator)

3 Membership:

Details of members of Union Council present:

Presidents:

Wellbeing – Mandi Purvis

Activities – Bryan Pepple,

Student members:

Katherine Lavender (Part Time Officer/Course Rep)

Staff present:

Adam Gawne (Policy and Campaigns Senior Officer).

Union Council at 3.15pm was not quorate and was held as a meeting.

4. Minutes of the last meeting:

No comments. Agreed by those present to be a true reflection of the last

Union Council.

5. Trustee Board Updates:

Mandi Purvis provided a verbal update of the minutes provided.

No comments or questions raised.

Board of Trustee minutes not available for 25 February 2019. To be

presented at the next Union Council.

Recruitment of student trustees – an application pack was handed out to

present members of Union Council. There are 4 positions available for

students who would like to help shape the SU and to develop leadership

skills.

UC member for student trustee recruitment – a member of UC has been

requested to sit on the panel for student trustee interviews on 24 June.

Katherine Lavender nominated herself to sit on the panel.


Officer Updates and Forums:

Bryan Pepple

Currently finishing year in role and awaiting new team to start on 1 July.

Looking forward to welcoming Adedayo and Himanshu.

Held Forums recently with poor attendance.

Enhancing Employability campaign information now on the website. Also had

further discussions around placements and will be continuing with this as

part of new manifesto for next year.

Mandi Purvis

The presidents had been part of discussions with the University about the

Access and Participation Plan (APP) which needed to be submitted to Office

for Students. Presidents worked closely with students to gather feedback and

ensure they were consulted on to inform the Students’ Union response. In

addition, the University’s Vice Chancellor held a consultation with students

after a request by Mandi. Final SU response submitted after a joint team

effort and will sit alongside the University’s APP submission.

Disconnect to Reconnect campaign underway to encourage students off their

phones and take part in activities together to combat isolation and loneliness.

Designed to raise awareness and start other conversations. Video edited and

now online. Originally wanted to hold an event however due to timing was

unable to do so.

Make it Happen Ideas:

An updated was provided on the current ideas and that the SU is progressing

and supporting all ideas with over 20 likes.

Bryan Pepple will take lead on progressing the smoking shelter idea with the

university.

Katherine Lavender gave an update on Children Welcome Room and will be

meeting with James Madeley from the Progression Team to discuss students

with families coming on campus and campaign.

No other comments or questions.

Course Rep Changes and Skills Academy:

Information on changes to Course Rep system was shared at the meeting to

explain what has happened to date with the pilot in the Faculty of Education

and Society, where the system is against a national benchmark and what the

plans are for next year. Various recommendations have been approved by

the Representation Steering Group and will be taken forward and worked on

over the summer.

Also shared was information on the new Skills Academy to assist Course

Reps, Society leaders and SU Buddies to develop additional skills. Topics

were leadership, public speaking, Look After Your Mate and transferable

skills. All sessions had students sign up and attendance. Skills Academy will

be developed over the summer for earlier delivery starting in term 1.


Katherine Lavender suggested a possible idea for Make it Happen, where a

student’s campus card is uploaded to the main University app. This would

help students who forget or lose their card without having to pay for a new

one. Discussion took place on taking a picture of the card and saving it on a

device and also possibility of a digital card which could work with the swipe

system using phone NFC technology.

Mandi Purvis raised the issue of no halal food at University graduations and

students reaching out for advice via social media. Mandi has been in touch

with Elior at the Stadium of Light and discussed if halal food can be

organised. Received a positive response and will be contacting the team who

organise graduations to discuss further.

8. AOB:

None.


October 2019. Date, time and room to be confirmed.

SPECIAL UNION

COUNCIL

14 October 2019

Time: 5pm – 6pm

Room: Room 8, Gateway Building Floor 2 (City Campus)

___________________________________________________________

AGENDA


2. Apologies


4. Counting of Quorum


6. Special Business

- No to No Deal Brexit

7. AOB


- 31 October 2019, 4pm – Room 8, Floor 2 Gateway Building (City Campus)

UNION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

1. Welcome from the Chair – Himanshu Kalla

(Tracy Redhead, unavailable to chair the meeting)

2 Apologies and absence:

Apologies

Katherine Lavender

Yussra Hajaji

Absent

Sam Clark (Part Time Officer)

3 Membership:

The Chair checked status of students who attended and agree to all

becoming a member of Union Council. No declarations of interest made.

Details of members of Union Council:

Presidents:

Helder Costa (HC) – Wellbeing

Bryan Pepple (BP) – Activities

Himanshu Kalla (HK) – Education

Student members:

Jenny Goodfellow (JG) – School Coordinator

Harriet Behan (HB) – Course Rep Primary Education

Eirina Saloustrau (ES) – Course Rep Biomedicine

Stacy Humphrey (SH) – School Coordinator

Paul Sambrooks (PS) – School Coordinator

Juliana Abreu (JA) – Society Leader Environment

Kamila Gorna (KG) – Society Leader Environment

Hassy Ahady (HA) – Course Rep Biomedicine

Georgios Chnarakis (GC) – Course Rep ITHM

Staff present:

Adam Gawne (AG) – Policy and Campaigns Senior Officer

4. Counting of Quorum

Meeting was declared quorate.

5. Minutes of the last meeting:

No minutes presented due to special business for discussion.

6. Special Business

No to No Deal Brexit

Helder Costa thanked attendees for coming and being involved in the

discussion on No to No Deal Brexit.

HC presented two documents to the Council: HM Government paper “The consequences of “No Deal” for UK business”, and Universities UK No Deal Briefing.

HC informed the group that following a decision by the Executive Committee

19 September 2019 and a petition launched and presently active by Jenny

Goodfellow, both in paper format and digitally on the Students’ Union

website (receiving 53 signatures to date) that he is asking the group to

approve that the SU sign up to No to No Deal. This discussion and campaign

is not about No Brexit, but no to no deal as the UK made a decision in a legal

referendum to leave in 2016. This is because No Deal will have a negative

effect on students at Sunderland.

HC presented to members, papers released by the Government (The

consequences of “No Deal” for UK business) and Universities UK (No-Deal

Briefing) and explained what predicted severe consequences will likely be on

cities like Sunderland and students with Universities UK having been explicit

that a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU would be bad for our students, researchers

and 136 member universities.

The University of Sunderland would likely suffer according to the

Government report. Universities UK highlighted that Brexit may cause issues

to visas, loss of funding and access from the EU, that EU students suffer

from changes to fee status, students will no longer be able to take part in

Erasmus and Horzion+ programmes. In addition, British qualifications may

not be accepted.

HC welcomed comments and for discussion to take place.

Discussion took place on No to No Deal Brexit with the following questions

asked and debated by members.

BP – What is the point of this meeting as Boris Johnson is looking for a deal?

Discussion took place on that it is still about preparation and putting pressure

on the Government as the EU may reject the UK’s offer or possible extension

request. There should be a plan in place for students who are paying lots of

money to study. HC noted that it is a national campaign and it is to apply

pressure to get a deal.

BP – Is there a wider body proposing an alternative deal? Further debate

took place around the No to No Deal campaign and the purpose of ensuring

there is a deal through NUS’s lobbying power. HK stated that also rushing a

deal would be detrimental.

BP – Are we coming up with solutions? Discussion took place on what other

groups have suggested as ways to get a deal, however it was noted that

certain members of the Government were pushing for no deal for other

reasons.

ES – As students is there anything we can do? Discussion took place on

possible things that students could do to support the campaign and to

encourage students to contact the SU.

BP – As Sunderland is pro-Brexit, what is planned to deal with possible

backlash? HC noted that the any risk would be monitored by Board of

Trustees. It was not about no Brexit and that he had spoken to students who

voted leave, saying they want a deal.

SH – What is going to happen through NUS taking action? HC informed

members that it was about applying pressure to the Government so they

would take notice of the impact on students.

ES – If no one wants a no deal, why is this going on? It was suggested that

elected MPs from parliament are not putting the country’s interests first.

ES – Will Brexit be beneficial? HC noted potential outcomes referred to in the

papers provided. A member noted that it is in important to be prepared as

students may suffer from food shortages if a no deal does happen.

HK noted that the UK will still have to pay regardless if it leaves without a

deal. A further discussion took place on issues around this and EU funding.

Students who are from the EU raised concerns that their UK loans that they

are currently entitled to, may be affected and that they are worried they

won’t receive funding and may be unable to complete their course or apply

for future courses.

BP opened up the discussion to those who had not spoken yet. Various

comments were made on the impact of the Queen’s speech and her role with

the Government.

BP noted that he considered the university not taking a stance on Brexit was

odd due to it being a business.

Further comments were made by students on the loss of rights for EU and

international students and access to funding. A discussion took place on why

would EU students come to the UK when there are another 26 countries

available to freely study at. Also highlighted was possible issues with

professional training qualifications and if they will be recognised across the

EEA.

HK highlighted the role of Protection Plans and how students should be kept

as they were when they started the course. Further comments were made

on transitions for students and that they should be implemented to ensure

students are not forced to leave the UK. It was noted that universities will

have to comply with Government policy on immigration and visa issues and

so pressure on companies and the University would likely be less effective

than pressure on law makers.

Members debated how the EU was progressing with talks and that the UK

was being made an example of to stop other countries leaving.

BP asked what are next steps following all this discussion. HC informed the

group that following a decision made at Union Council, that the Board of

Trustees will be asked to check the decision against legal advice and if all is

okay, to allow the SU to sign up to the No to No Deal campaign.

HK asked the group for any final comments. It was raised that any students

who signed the petition should be protected and names not disclosed. HC

informed the group that names would not be shared publically and that the

communications team would be careful in any correspondence out.

HK asked members to decide if they agreed to the SU opposing No Deal

Brexit. All agreed.

Decision: unanimous vote in favour of Sunderland SU adopting a policy

position of opposing a No Deal Brexit.

7. AOB:

Each president welcomed students to join their Forums:

Education – 15 October, 3pm, SU Social Space

Activities – 16 October, 1pm, SU Social Space

Wellbeing – 17 October, 4pm, SU Social Space


31 October 2019, 4pm – Room 8, Floor 2 Gateway Building (City Campus)

Board of Trustees Report

Monday 29th April 2019 - 4.20pm Room 7, 2nd Floor, Gateway, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Laura Pike, Sarah Maluila- Tyler, Mandi Purvis, Bryan Pepple

Observer: Katie Redhead from University of Sunderland

Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Eleanor Farrington, Katie D’Arcy, Louise Dixon, Donna Thompson, Phil Benton

1. Welcome and apologies Marie Foalle

Bryan Pepple needed to leave early.

2. Declaration of Interest PB for Item 10.

3. Minutes of Meeting 29th April 2019

CEO Update

Elections

The Board agreed the minutes to be a true

and accurate record of the meeting.

The CEO gave a verbal update on a

meeting she had attended with the VC

reference undertaking a review on the SU,

trying to make us a successful SU for

Sunderland.

The CEO reported that the Elections were

successful, we did not hit our KPI’s but we

had reduced the voting period and received

no complaints.

4. Committee Minutes

Finance, Risk & Resources Committee 3rd June 2019

The Board were updated on the meeting,

which agreed capital expenditure provision

for spends on new furniture for the refurb

if required. Also an update on SUSS AGM

Meeting.

5. Annual Plan – Trustee Dashboard

The Union’s annual plan was approved, a

draft balance scorecard was introduced

with a new layout including Strategy,

Governance/Compliance, People / E&D and

Finance.

6. Officer Update The officers gave an update to the board

reference their campaigns, meetings and

work to date.

7. Policy Review

Recruitment Policy & Equality & Diversity Policy

The Board were informed that the SU have

put together two draft policies for review.

It was agreed that the members would

send MN any recommendations/changes

via email.

8. Finance / Risk

Management Accounts for the month ending 31st March 2019

University Budget Planning Update

The quoracy was challenged at the

beginning of the meeting with BP leaving

the meeting early. We have accepted the

minutes as a true record, however any

other approvals or decisions need to be

made via an email to confirm decisions.

The Board approved the management

accounts for March 2019 after the meeting

via email.

The CEO stated that the budget was

discussed earlier in the meeting based on

her meeting with the VC.

9. Union Council Report The CEO reported that a policy had been

passed at Union Council proposed by a

student on Online Accommodation Advice.

10. Counterculture Proposal The Board agreed to approve the proposal,

this item was discussed at the beginning of

the meeting.

11. Nomination for Board of Governors 19/20

The CEO reported that Himanshu Kalla

incoming President Education was the only

officer to nominate himself for the for the

position of Board of Governors

representative.

The Board agreed to accept HK as the

representative to Board of Governors and

confirmed via email to MN.

12. Student Trustees Application The Board were updated that to date we

only have one application, we will go ahead

and interview and re-open in the new

academic year.

13. Any other Business The Board had a discussion before the

meeting reference MN (CEO’s) training

request for an MBA at Teesside University.

The Board support this decision.

14. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday

24th June 2019.


Monday 24 June 2019 - 4.30pm Room 7, 2nd Floor, Gateway, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Laura Pike, Mandi Purvis, Bryan Pepple

Observer: Doreen Reveley from University of Sunderland

Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Eleanor Farrington, Louise Dixon, Donna Thompson, Phil Benton

15. Welcome and apologies Sarah Maluila-Tyler, Sarah has forwarded some questions, CR will bring up throughout the meeting.

16. Declaration of Interest None.

17. Minutes of Meeting 24 June 2019

The Board agreed the minutes to be a true

and accurate record of the meeting.

18. Committee Minutes

Finance, Risk & Resources Committee 3rd June 2019

The Board were updated on the meeting,

which agreed capital expenditure provision

for spends on new furniture for the refurb

if required. Also an update on SUSS AGM

Meeting.

19. CEO Update The CEO gave an update on the following:

-

University and Union Review

Access and participation

plan submission

Student trustee recruitment

ratify Mandi Purvis & Misson

Das

University Observer – MN to

draft role description for

next meeting.

20. Annual Plan – Trustee Dashboard Scorecard

The scorecard was percentages on the

following areas: -

Strategy Governance Compliance People / E&D Finance

21. Officer Update The officers gave an update to the board

reference their campaigns and work for

their year in office.

22. Finance/Risk

Management Accounts

Budget 2019/20

The Board noted the management

accounts.

The Board approved the budget for

2019/20.

23. Governance Update – Returning Officers Report from March Elections

The board agreed and accepted the

Returning Officer report.

24. Sunderland SU – Advertising Service Agreement

The CEO reported that we gain income

from Redbus for display screens we wanted

Board approval to renew the service

agreement.

The Board agreed to renew the service

level agreement.

25. Date and time of next meeting There will be a Special Board meeting on

the 17 July after the Board Away Day.

The next meeting will be held on Monday

28 October 2019.


Wednesday 17 July 2019 – 3.45pm Pinnacle Suite, Hope Street, City Campus Trustees: Colin Ranshaw (Chair), Laura Pike, Marie Foalle, Andrew Murtough, Bryan Pepple, Helder Costa, Himanshu Kalla, Mandi Purvis, Misson Das

Present - USSU: Marie Nixon, Louise Dixon, Phil Benton

1. Welcome and apologies

2. Committee of the Board of Trustees

Finance, Risk and Resources Committee AM – Chair MF – External Trustee HK - Officer Trustee MD – Student Trustee Governance Committee CR – Vice Chair of Board of Trustees Chair of Union Council HC - Officer Trustee (Chair of Committee) MP – Student Trustee Appointments Committee LP – External Trustee 1 x Union Council Member BP - Officer Trustee HC – Officer Trustee 1 x University Representative Disciplinary Committee Chair of Union Council SMT – External Trustee 2 x Members of the Executive (sabbatical or non- sabbatical) Executive Committee All sabbatical and non-sabbatical officers CEO Management Sub Committee CR – External Trustee (Chair) BP – Chair of the Trustee Board CEO in attendance but not a member of the Committee

Trustee Mentor Network AM – HK & MD LP – BP & DG SMT – HC & MP

The Board agreed to all the above committees.

3. Student Trustee Recruitment

The Board were informed that interviews

had taken place this morning and would

like to recommend the appointment of

Dominic Gray.

The Board agreed to approve and

ratify the appointment of Dominic

Gray.

4. Budget 2019/20

MN reported that no material changes to

the budget presented at the board in June

19.

5. Change in Sabbatical Officer HC was elected as President Wellbeing

2019/20. The appointment had been

agreed via email by the trustees.

The Board agreed to ratify the email

vote on the appointment of HC as

President Wellbeing.

6. Recruitment of External Trustees

The board discussed the forthcoming

vacancies and charged the Appointments

Committee with recruiting two external

trustees; one as Vice Chair due to CR

stepping down late 2019 and MF in the

spring 2020.

The Board agreed to recruit a Vice

Chair and External Trustee.

7. Election Chair of the Board of Trustees

CR reported that three Officer Trustees

needed to nominate one of them to hold

the post of Chair of the Board of Trustees.

All three Officer Trustees elected BP.

CR would act as Vice Chair until the

appointment of a new Vice Chair as part of

the external trustee recruitment.

CR handed over the position of Chair to BP

and congratulated him on his appointment.

BP thanked everyone for the opportunity.

8. Date and time of next meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday

28 October 2019.

Policy Heading: Stop Bans of Bake Sales on Campus

Date Proposed: 31 October 2019

Authority: Union Council

This Council Notes (Facts):

Bake sales are a traditional and inexpensive way of fundraising which can provide students with the opportunity to buy a baked good at a (potentially) lower rate than what is provided through catering outlets.

Bake sales are an opportunity to raise awareness around a cause or group (society) which students can become actively involved in or join as a member.

Sunderland Students’ Union (SU) is established in providing events and activities on campus and is responsible for managing health and safety and ensuring due diligence for student led activities.

This Council Believes (Opinions):

Student fundraising is an essential activity to support the development of community groups on campus and provides campus vibrancy and should not be stopped by the University.

The SU provides quality guidance and training for student activity and events and is equipped to support students to undertake bake sales on campus.

This Council Resolves (Actions to take & by whom):

The SU to manage on campus bake sales and create a calendar of when they can be undertaken each academic year, bookable via the SU website.

Students must complete all health and safety requirements including risk assessments and food hygiene training.

Any bake sales for a charity must have written confirmation from the charity that they are happy for this to take place.

The Students’ Union and President: Activities will proactively use their social media to help promote student fundraising activities and approved bake sales.

Proposed by

Bryan Pepple, President: Activities 2019-20

Policy Heading: Make Sunderland SU Sustainable

Date Proposed: 31 October 2019

Authority: Union Council

This Council Notes (Facts):

The environment is under extreme pressure from everyday human activities,

which has led to increased pollution and emissions being released as well as

caused significant destruction to vital ecosystems and biospheres across the

planet.

Many countries and governments have pledged to ensure the global planet

temperature does not rise above 1.5oC as part of the Paris Climate Accord. In

addition, cities (including Sunderland) and organisations have declared Climate

Emergencies in response to the issue of climate change.

Everyday small actions by individuals can make significant differences to the

impact on the planet through reduction of energy use and better use of

resources.

This Council Believes (Opinions):

As an organisation, Sunderland Students’ Union has a responsibility to be more

sustainable and should address areas of waste of energy and resource use, to

ensure that it is contributing to global efforts on sustainability and climate

change.

The Students’ Union (and University) should raise awareness of environmental

issues affecting students and provide student friendly resources about

sustainability via the Students’ Union website and social media.

Students should be inspired to take sustainable action as part of the Union’s

Your Place strategy and through the Activities and Opportunities offer.

This Council Resolves (Actions to take & by whom):

Sunderland Students’ Union to create a Sustainability Committee, to report to

the Union’s Health and Safety group, which will be responsible to monitor,

evaluate and develop recommendations on how the Union can become more

sustainable in its operations.

The Sustainability Committee will be chaired by a student from the

Environmental Society (or President in lieu of a society), have cross

organisational representation and include opportunities for students to sit on

the group.

The SU, via the Presidents, will lobby the University of Sunderland’s Estates and

Facilities Service to make improvements across all campuses and be actively

launching campaigns to encourage students and staff to be environmentally

responsible.

The Students’ Union, whenever possible and economically viable, will:

o use sustainable or recyclable paper for printing materials;

o avoid the use of non-recyclable plastic/materials for (but not limited to)

merchandise, give away items and when providing refreshments;

o become more ethical in its purchasing, using local companies or those

who have high sustainable standards, avoiding companies which cause

environmental damage or are deemed to not be sustainable through

their operations; and

o introduce a sustainable/Fairtrade range of merchandise for students to

purchase as part of income generation.

Proposed by

Helder Costa, President: Wellbeing 2019-20

Your Societies Grant Funding

Checklist / Decision

Reference 02

Applicant Glass and Ceramics

Nominal Code 340

Members 22

Membership Fee £10

Current Income £1,283.41

Amount Requested £893

Grant Information The society are organising a three-day glass painting and

silver staining workshop with a noted artist, Jonathan

Cooke. The course will run week commencing 9th

December 2019 and will be held in the National Glass

Centre. Mr Cooke has generously reduced his fees, which

normally stand at £300 per person. The overall cost for

this is £1,786 but the society have a variety of different

ways to fundraise the other half of the money by selling

tickets, selling Christmas ornaments that they will make

and then finally covering the remainder of the cost out of

society funds. This will mean society members are only

paying £30 for these sessions.

Cost Evidence

Supplied

Initial Assessment:

Activities &

Opportunities Team

Given the valuable opportunity and enhancement of

academic experience, we feel like this sum of money

would be very beneficial to the society. As this has been

well thought out and due to their willingness in raising

half of the funds themselves, we would suggest it is a

worthwhile investment. The status of the artist may also

give the University some good publicity.

Recommended: Award grant

Initial Review:

Exec Decision Panel

Queries for applicant

Amount Awarded &

Purpose

Conditions of Grant

union council 31 october 2019...2019/10/31 · union council 31 october 2019 time: 4pm – 6pm...

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