COUNCIL MINUTES (OPEN)
Thursday, 23 March 2023
15:00 - 18:00
Coram, Queen Elizabeth II Centre, 41 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ.
MEMBERS:
Dinah Caine DC Council Chair
Lynn Pearcy LP Council Deputy Chair
Adam Denham AD Council Member
Aaron Porter AP Council Member
Anna Carlisle AC Council Member
Fiona McLaren FM Council Member
Ben Morton-Wright BM-W Council Member
Monika Barnes MBa Council Member
Pam Raynor PRa Council Member
Paul Rowlett PRo Council Member
Philip Stoltzfus PS Council Member
Stella Beaumont SBe Council Member
Susan Dilly SD Council Member
David Reddaway DR Council Member (via Microsoft Teams)
Irene Adeyinka IA Council Member (via Microsoft Teams)
Henrike Donnor HD Elected Council Member
Naomi Thompson NT Elected Council Member
Francis Corner FC The Warden
David Oswell DO The Pro-Warden
Jilly Court JC Interim Chief Operating Officer
Hafsa Haji HH Student Union President
ATTENDEES:
Matt Brooks MBr Director of Governance & Legal Services
Steven Graham SG Head of School, Arts, & Humanities
Adam Dinham AD Head of School, Culture & Society
Anna Carlile AC Head of School, Professional Studies, Science & Technology School
Imran Chughtai IC Chief Financial Officer
Stephen Graham SG Head of School, Arts & Humanities
Stephen Lake SL Director of Communications, Marketing, & Recruitment
Dr Clive Hayter CH Director of Strategic Projects and Planning
Alison Woolley AW Director of Development, & Alumni Relations
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CNCL143
Louisa Green LG Director of Student Experience, & Academic Registrar
SECRETARIAT:
Nellie Raymond-Willis NR-W Executive Assistant to Council Chair & Director of Governance & Legal
(Interim)
Laraine Moody LM Governance Officer (Interim)
Grant Hamilton Smith GHS Governance Officer (Interim)
APOLOGIES:
Andrew Laurence AL Council Member
Kiran Grewal KG Elected Council Member
# MINUTE
OPEN ITEMS – PRELIMINARY MATTERS
1.0 Welcome, Introduction, and Apologies
1.1 NOTED
1.2 The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and noted apologies received from AL and KG.
1.3 The Chair noted LG’s departure from Goldsmith’s this week and advised that she starts a new role at
Kingston University. Special thanks were given for the vital role she played, ably guiding the
university through the pandemic, industrial action, and regulation changes in relation to quality
standards and structural changes.
1.4 The Chair also noted HH departure from The Council and thanked her for support and work as a
member, along with her colleagues at The Student Union (SU) complimenting the quality of her
reports and outstanding leadership. The Chair asked for her congratulations to be forwarded to the
new President of the SU
2.0 Identification of Items for discussion
2.1 CONSIDERED
2.2 The Chair confirmed there were no identified items for discussion.
2.2 The Chair reminded Members that they should advise the Governance Officer in advance of the
meeting if there is an Item that is not on the agenda that they wish to be discussed during the
meeting.
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3.0 Chair’s Action
3.1 NOTED
3.2 The Chair advised that she took Action on behalf of the Governing Body since it last met on 24
November 2022 to:
i) co-opt Mark Emerton to the People, Organisation Development and Equalities Committee (5
December 2023);
ii) authorise the Chief Financial Officer or other senior officer of the College to execute such documents
or take such action as may be necessary to lodge a cash collateral with the US Department for
Education (9 December 2022);
iii) approve UoLW English Fees for 2023 (24 January 2023);
iv) approve the fee for the LLM for 2023 (16 February 2023); and
v) approve the fee for BA Computation Linguistics (9 March 2023).
4.0 Open Council Minutes, 24 November 2022 (CNCL142)
4.1 The Chair offered her profuse apologies for the lateness in circulating the 24 November 2022 Council
Minutes.
4.2 Council APPROVED the Open Council Minutes of the meeting of 24 November 2022 (CNCL142)
subject to the following amendments:
4.2 ACTION: Item 7.1 - The Minister of State is Gillian and not Julian.
4.3 ACTION: ATTENDEES: - Susan Edwards was present.
4.4 ACTION: It was requested that the minutes be amended to include comments made by MG
regarding the need for the new strategy to consider issues of governance, including inclusivity and
participation.
5.0 Matters Arising
5.1 Council noted that there were no Matters Arising from the Open Council Minutes dated 24
November 2022 (CNCL142).
5.2 Antisemitism Review - The Chair advised that Council APPROVED a Review of Antisemitism at
Goldsmiths in June 2022 and that much work has been done with the Chair and Mo Sethi KC, to
make sure that it is set-up in such a way as to ensure that it is really meaningful and will produce
constructive and practical recommendations. The opening of the Review will be announced after the
meeting along with a call for evidence. The Chair and The Warden will write to all students and staff.
Thanks were given to Mo in advance for the important work he will do and that colleagues will wish
to do all they can to support the review.
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5.3 ACTION: The Chair and The Warden to write to students and staff about the Review of Antisemitism
at Goldsmiths.
5.4 ACTION: Costs related to the Antisemitism Review to be brought back to members.
6.0 Action Tracker
6.1 Council NOTED updates to the Action Tracker.
6.2 JC advised that for previous Strike periods, very few staff declared participation, and that for this
Strike period, the College moved to requiring staff to confirm that they are not participating)” opt-
out”). Approximately, 500 staff per week have not opted-out of participation in Strikes. Deductions
for strike period will be made in May and June 2023. An approach to Action Short on Strike is being
considered.
7.0 The Warden’s Report
7.1 Council NOTED The Warden’s Report.
7.2 Concern was raised relating to quality assurance no longer supporting the implications of European
relationships and confirmation was given to the group, following recent developments on the
Northern Ireland Protocol, the College should start being eligible to access Horizon funding, key to
EU research partnerships.
7.3 It is important to continue investigating the relationship with China. There has also been interest in
Confucius Institutes (CI) from journalists, with Goldsmiths alongside CI hosts fielding a number of
journalist enquiries and FOIs.
7.4 As student numbers have been falling, it is important that this is monitored closely for the next
academic year.
7.5 FC reported that Goldsmiths is among several higher education institutions which are being reviewed
by the Office for Students (OfS) this academic year in relation to computing courses. In scope for the
exercise are not only courses wholly delivered by Computing but also joint courses with MCCS, Music
and CALL.
7.5 Thanks were given to BM-W for helping secure fundraising meetings with philanthropists, collectors,
artists, and influencers.
7.6 Council Members were invited to the Equity Awards event on 25 May 2023, which received £320k
from the City of London which will support 100 students.
RISK MANAGEMENT
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8.0 Risk Management Report
8.1 MB advised that this Item should have been marked for ‘discussion’, and not ‘consideration’.
8.2 The Risk Management Report is an iteration of the previous Risk Management Report that had not
yet been considered by ARC.
8.3 The assessment of Risks has changed; Student Experience and Outcomes – proximity; Student
Recruitment and Retention – proximity and Red Amber Green (RAG) increased; Office for Students
(OfS) Conditions of Registration – proximity.
8.4 It was noted that Audit and Risk Committee completed a deep dive into Staff Recruitment and
Retention; Student Recruitment; and Legal and Regulatory Risk Resulting from Industrial Action.
Consideration had been given at ARC to pre-empt know risks and the importance of an upgraded
infrastructure to give the data needed.
STRATEGY 2018-2023
9.0 Strategy Report Update
9.1 SL introduced the Strategy Report Update advising this report is likely to be the penultimate report
against the Strategy, as CH is working on a final Strategy Report for Council. CH and MBr will be
referenced in the report to ensure that the Governance Framework will ensure accountability in
relation to the new Strategy 2023-2033 and will also undertake a Risk Assessment.
9.2 The Chair commented that the KPIs currently don’t give dates and timelines and The Wardens report
to be linked to KPI’s and Risks. CH confirmed there are new methods being developed and included
in the new strategy plan.
9.3 The Committee were encouraged by the progress that has been made developing the strategy and
look forward to the presentation of the final document.
10.0 Student Experience & Student Outcomes
10.1 Student Experience Data (various surveys)
10.2 NOTED
10.3 The Committee noted Student Experience Data, which underpins consideration of current student
experience, which Council have previously requestedand the Chair welcomed the opportunity at the
next Council meeting to discuss the interpretation of the data
10.3 Career and Employability Student Careers Team
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10.4 NOTED
10.5 The Committee noted the Career and Employability documents commenting that the student
experience is one of the three key priorities for the College.
10.6 The group discussed the graduate outcome survey and the support that can be given to students
after graduation, linking alumni to their continuing education and careers, and the simple solution of
organising more social events, formal and informal.
10.4 Student Union Presentation
10.5 Council members welcomed the presentation from the president of the Student Union information
provided by the union this year has been invaluable to the Council this year when considering the
critical strategic issue that is student experience.
10.6 The Chair repeated her thanks for all of the work and support HH has provided to the Council and
hoped that future regimes will continue this great work.
STRATEGY 2023-2033
11.0 Strategy Development Update
11.1 It was welcomed that a clear framework for strategy was starting to emerge. It was seen that real
progress was being made, but members of council remain concerned that work will not have been
sufficiently progressed to enable the Council to approve the plan in 2023.
11.2 The Chair suggested the group were invited to attend the Council Strategy Sub Group meeting in
June and there would be a final review of the plan at the next Council meeting. Should there be the
need a n extra provisional Council meeting date will be added to the diary for July
11.2 There was discussion surrounding KPIs lagging and FC confirmed new methods were being developed
and included in the new strategy plan.
11.3 Enabling plans or strategies with members particularly keen to see focus on people and international
reach. It was observed that actions on these areas does not need to be held in abeyance pending
development of the strategic plan.
11.4 ACTION: Invite Council Members to the CSSG meeting in June. Additional add a provisional Council
date in July.
CONTROLS & ASSURANCE
12.0 Academic Controls & Assurance
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12.1 Academic Board Report
12.2 It was noted that the meeting of Academic Board scheduled for 15 March 2023 was postponed until
the later this month, and therefore apologies were given in that there is no report for Council.
12.3 Academic Standard
12.4 The Academic Standards Report was NOTED.
12.5 Post REF Strategy Review
12.6 The Post REF Strategy Review was CONSIDERED
13.0 Internal Audit Plan
13.1 Council APPROVED the Internal Audit Plan, subject to amendments brought to June Council meeting.
14.0 Office for Students Reportable Events
14.1 It was NOTED that there were no Reported Events to the Office for Students since Council last met
on 24 November 2022.
15.0 Annual Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Report
15.1 It was NOTED that there will be an analysis of data at a later meeting.
GOVERNANCE
16.0 Review of Governance Framework
16.1 APPROVED
16.2 The Nominations and Governance Committee commend Council for approval the review of the
Governance Framework.
17.0 Review of College’s Constitutional Documents
17.1 APPROVED
17.2 The Nominations and Governance Committee commend Council for approval of the Review of
College’s Constitutional Documents.
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18.0 Appointment of a successor to Dana Caine CBE as Chair of Council when her term of office
concludes on 31st August 2024
18.1 APPROVED
18.2 The Nominations and Governance Committee commend Council for approval of the appointment of
a successor to Dana Caine CBE as Chair of Council when her term of office concludes on 31st August
2024
18.3 Appointment of a successor to Lynn Pearcy as Deputy Chair of Council when her Membership of
the Governing Body concludes on 31 August 2023.
18.4 APPROVED
The Nominations and Governance Committee commend Council for approval of the appointment of
a successor to Lynn Pearcy as Deputy Chair of Council when her Membership of the Governing Body
concludes on 31 August 2023.
19.0 Appointments of Co-opted Members of Council to Committees of Council
19.1 APPROVED
19.2 The Nominations and Governance Committee commend Council for approval Fiona McLaren to the
Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee for a term of three years (effective 1
September 2022); and
19.2 APPROVED
19.3 Stella Beaumont to the Nominations and Governance Committee, the Remuneration Committee and
the Honorary Degrees and Fellowships Committee for a term of three years (effective 1 September
2022).
19.4 Fiona McLaren to the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee for a term of 3
years (effective 1 September 2022);
20.0 Finance & Resource Committee Impact Report
20.1 Council NOTED the Finance & Resource Committee Impact Report.
21.0 Audit & Risk Committee Impact Report
21.1 Council NOTED the Audit & Risk Committee Impact Report
22.0 External Relations Committee Impact Report
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22.1 Council NOTED the External Relations Committee Impact Report.
23.0 Health & Safety Impact Report
23.1 Council noted the Health and Safety Impact Report.
24.0 Nominations & Governance Committee Impact Report
24.1 Council NOTED the Nominations & Governance Committee Impact Report.
25.0 Any Other Business
24.1 The was no further business.
26.0 Date and Time of Next Meetings
26.1 Council will next meet on 22 June 2023 at 15:00-1800.
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