Culture People and Values Committee

Membership

  • Sion O’Connor (Chair)
  • Richard Lloyd-Owen (Chair of Board ex officio)
  • Philip Gummett (Deputy Chair of Board ex officio)
  • Dr James Gravelle (Interim Vice Chancellor) 
  • Irfan Fahim (Student Governor)
  • Debbie Jones
  • Professor Kathryn Mitchell
  • Jonathan Jones (Professional Services Governor)
  • Ian Morgan (Nominations and Governance items)
  • Michael Plaut (Nominations and Governance items)

Composition and Membership

3 to 11 members, including:

  • Up to 8 independent or co-opted members of the Board, 2 of whom must be independent members and one of whom to be Chair
  • Up to 3 co-opted members of the Committee
  • Chair of the Board (ex officio)
  • Vice Chancellor
  • Staff governor
  • Student Governor
  • Secretary: Head of Governance (whose remuneration is not considered by the Committee)

Quorum

At least three members, including two lay members and the Vice-Chancellor or other member of the Executive.

Attendance at meetings

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Chief People and Inclusion Officer and University Secretary shall normally attend meetings (except for those items where their remuneration is considered by the Committee).

Relevant officers of the University and the colleges may also be asked to attend as appropriate.

Frequency of meetings

At least four meetings per year.

Purpose

The Committee will oversee:

A)    Culture and values
B)    Employment
C)    Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
D)    Health and safety
E )    Nominations and Governance
F)    Senior staff pay consideration
G)   Welsh Language

The responsibilities of the Committee shall be to:

A) Culture and Values 

i)   oversee how the USW values are incorporated into the culture of the University and the behaviours of its staff;
ii)  consider how the decisions of the Board and its committees adhere to the Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) and the values of USW;    
iii) Review the culture amongst the staff and student population and assess how the measures in place are embedding USW values into the behaviours of the USW community.
iv) Approve the submission of reports on serious incidents at USW to the Charity Commission
v) Consider, based on whistleblowing cases, reports on information compliance and other relevant information, any changes required to internal processes to ensure that they are robust and utilised effectively

B)    Employment

a)   develop and advise the Board on long-term strategy
b)  approve on behalf of the Board such policies and procedures in respect of employment which are expressly mentioned in the Articles of Government and/or which could potentially lead to the dismissal of an employee, except where the Board specifically determines that matters be reserved for Board approval. To receive reports on other new or revised policies and procedures in respect of employment
c) make recommendations to the Board on a framework for the pay and conditions of service of staff other than the Vice-Chancellor and other holders of senior posts (see Article 3(1)(e))
d) make recommendations to the Board on:-
i.     rules relating to the conduct of staff
ii.     rules relating to the dismissal of staff
iii.    grievance procedures
in accordance with Articles 9, 10 and 11
e) receive regular reports on staffing matters, including the staff   profile of the University
f)  review the strategic risks affecting the University in the area of human resources and advise the Board thereon
g) advise the Board on any other matter referred to it by the Board 

C)    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

i)     advise the Board on equality-related matters requiring a decision by the Board;
ii)   to advise the Board on the promotion of equality diversity and inclusion

D) Health and Safety

a)     approve health and safety policy for the University and keep under review and advise the Board on arrangements for health and safety within the University
b)     receive regular reports on health and safety matters and; 
c)     advise the Board on any matter referred to it by the Board

E) Nominations and Governance

i)     make recommendations to the Board on arrangements for the appointment of members and officers of the Board of Governors.
ii)   Recommend persons for appointment as independent and co-opted members of the Board, such recommendations being for consideration either by the Board or by a Committee of Independent Members whichever is required by the provisions of the Instrument of Government.
iii)  consider succession planning for Board members and to evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge and diversity of the Board.
iv)  make recommendations as to membership of Board committees.
v)  make recommendations as to membership of the RWCMD and CMT Boards of Directors
vi) advise the Board on its structure and general governance matters

F)    Senior Staff Pay Consideration

i)     review the remuneration of the Executive, and make recommendations to the Board;
ii)   receive, not less than annually, a report from the Vice-Chancellor on the remuneration of other senior staff and senior post holders, as recommended by the Vice Chancellor, and approve (or not) the recommendations regarding;

  • Deputy Vice Chancellor
  • Pro Vice Chancellor (Innovation and Engagement)
  • Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Student Experience)
  • Chief Operating Officer
  • Chief Finance Officer
  • Deans of Faculty
  • Academic Registrar
  • Director of Estates and Facilities
  • Director of International
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Director of Learning Services
  • Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment
  • Director of Organisational Development
  • Director of Research & Business Engagement
  • Director of Student Services
  • Director of Strategy and Development
  • University Secretary

iii)    review the remuneration of the Principal and Assistant Principal of The College Merthyr Tydfil and the Principal and Director of Finance & Operations of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and make recommendations to the College Boards of Directors and to report to the University Board;
iv)    make recommendations to the Board on severance payments to senior post holders (excluding the Vice-Chancellor)
v)     to receive information on severance payments to other senior staff whose salaries are reported to the Committee
vi)    consider institutional interest, sustainability and reputation as well as the public interest and the safeguarding of public funds as part of its deliberations and must require comparative information to inform its decisions;

G) Welsh Language

a)   advise the Board as appropriate on issues relating to the Welsh Language
b)   receive regular reports on compliance with the Welsh Language Standards

Annual Report

Download the Annual Report