Effectiveness Review of Council 2013 - Cardiff University

12/710
the policy networks. This was in line with a commitment to review that was
entered into at the time these changes were approved in July 2011.
3. Working Method
3.1 It was decided that the review would be conducted by means of the following:
Consultation with other universities/bodies who have conducted recent
effectiveness reviews.
A structured survey of members.
Specific consultation with Chair of Council and Vice-Chancellor.
3.2 Feedback from the Chair of Council following his one-to-one meetings with
Council members was also considered as part of the Review.
4. Consultation with other universities
4.1 Mrs Peel, supported by Dr Chris Turner and Sharon Orton, has met with:
Richard Walters, Clerk to the Governors, Cardiff Metropolitan University (5
February 2013).
Mark Humphriss, University Secretary, Bath University (12 April 2013).
4.2 Both these meetings produced useful insights into the conduct and the
outcomes of periodic effectiveness reviews. Cardiff Metropolitan University
was one of the pilot institutions for developing the LFHE framework and was
therefore able to provide information on which elements of the very detailed
framework document were most helpful. In addition to learning about the
approach used at the University of Bath Mark Humphriss’s experience as an
Independent Assessor for Swansea University’s effectiveness review was
useful in determining whether such an approach would be beneficial for
Cardiff University.
4.3 Mrs Peel decided that it was not necessary to engage an independent
assessor for the review. In her judgement the primary benefit of such an
assessor was to allow members to convey their views with freedom but that at
Cardiff the experience was that the Council members had already been
forthcoming with their views and the fact that Mrs Peel herself would be
stepping down from Council shortly was seen as helpful in ensuring that
members did not feel constrained in providing their views. Bath University’s
approach to effectiveness reviews of both Council and of Senate was also
instructive in suggesting that it would be helpful to focus on a set of key
outcomes (around 10) that would add value to the work of those bodies rather
than a multiplicity of relatively minor adjustments to process.
5. Survey of Council members
5.1 The survey of Council members and officers was launched on 11 March 2013
and a reminder sent to recipients on 25 March. The working group wishes to
thank all respondents (24) and those interviewed individually. Twenty four
responses were received:
2