M. Explanatory Note

  • The University endeavours to conduct University Business in accordance with the Nolan Principles2
  • The Council is the principal executive body and policy making body of the University. The Council has general responsibility for administration, planning of work, management of resources and general supervision of finances including of all University institutions other than the University Press3. It has the authority to take legal advice and conduct proceedings on behalf of the University4. The Council and its Finance Committee exercise the University's powers of investment subject to certain restrictions5. The Council has responsibilities in relation to the care, management and maintenance of property6.
  • The Vice-Chancellor has the customary rights and duties of the office7 and is the designated officer responsible to the Public Accounts Committee.
  • Pro- Vice-Chancellors perform duties as prescribed by Statutes and Ordinances, the Council or the Vice-Chancellor.8
  • Heads of University departments and secretaries of Faculty Boards have financial responsibility under Statutes and Ordinances and are accountable for the proper application of funds.9 Heads of other institutions are similarly responsible under particular provisions of Statutes and Ordinances.
  • Acting Heads of Department may be appointed during a vacancy and count as Head of Department. The General Board appoints Deputy Heads and defines their duties and powers.10
  • The Registrary is the principal administrative officer of the University under the direction of the Council and is the head of the Unified Administrative Service.11
  • The University Offices form the Unified Administrative Service under the supervision of the Council and are organised in divisions.12
  • Special Ordinances A (viii) 4 provides for delegation by any University body to any committee or University officer (including in relation to finance) subject to Statutes and Ordinances.
  • The Audit Committee has responsibilities under Statutes and Ordinances. The University's internal and external auditors have unrestricted access to all records, assets, personnel and premises and the right to obtain such information and explanations as they consider necessary. The OfS, Research England, HM Revenue and Customs, and others may also have the right to audit University Business.
  • The purpose of the Procurement Act 2023 is to encourage competitive tendering for public contracts throughout the European Union. The Council, on the advice of its Finance Committee, reviews and confirms annually whether the University remains outside their scope. The Council intends that the University's procurement procedures should continue to follow the good practice set out in the Regulations.
  • In addition to compliance with Financial Regulations Staff must also comply with the requirements of Statutes and Ordinances and Sites and Building Regulations.
  • Ethical guidance on acceptance of donations and the provisions for acceptance of donations by or with the authority of the Vice Chancellor are set out in Ordinances.13

2 See the University's Corporate Governance Statement, annexed to the University's Annual Reports and Financial Statements.
3 Statute A Chapter IV 1, Statute A Chapter VI 1(a), Statute C Chapter I 1(c) and Statute F Chapter I, 1(a).
4 Ordinances Chapter I, The Council, Legal Powers.
5 Statute A Chapter II 6(b) and Ordinances, Chapter XIII, Financial Matters, Regulation 6.
6 Statutes A Chapter II 3 and Statute F Chapter II 2–3.
7 Statute C Chapter III 3.
8 Statute C Chapter III 17.
9 Statute A Chapter V 17(c)

10 Ordinances, Chapter IX, Departments and Heads of Department, Regulations 4 and 5.
11 Statute A, Chapter VI 1.
12 Ordinances, Chapter XI, Special Regulations for University Officers, Unified Administrative Service, Regulations 1 and 2. Footnote 12
13 Ordinances, Chapter XIII, Council Notice: Ethical Guidelines on the Acceptance of Benefactions.