Code of Practice for Council Members

8 Code of Practice for Council Members 7 1.6. Committee Structure The Council and the Senate may establish such committees as they think fit, and delegate any of their powers and duties to any board or committee or to any officer. Committees must be provided with a clear remit and written terms of reference that state the extent and limits of the committee’s responsibilities and authority. Committees must take care not to exceed their terms of reference and should be so advised by the Secretary of the Council. Committees should distinguish between issues on which they are empowered to take decisions, and issues that they must refer to the Council for decision. Where a committee is acting under delegated powers, it should submit regular written reports to the Council on decisions that it has taken on the Council’s behalf. The Council has established 11 Standing Committees, the functions of which are summarized below: Administrative and Planning Committee The Administrative and Planning Committee is a statutory committee established to assist the Vice-Chancellor in the performance of his duties, to initiate plans of University development, and to assist the Vice-Chancellor in reviewing and coordinating the annual and supplementary estimates of recurrent and capital expenditures of the University. The Committee reviews or proposes certain academic and administrative appointments as stipulated in the Statute before these appointments are made. It also deals with other matters referred to it by the Council. Audit Committee The Audit Committee considers the appointment of the external auditors, the audit fee and any other related issues, and reviews the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the University. The Committee offers to the Council such additional assurance as it may reasonably require of the reliability of financial information submitted to it and of financial statements issued by the University, as well as the compliance by the University and its subordinated bodies with all statutes and other regulations to which they are subject. The Committee is also responsible for discussing with the University’s auditors the general approach to and scope of their audits, reviewing the external auditor’s management letter and University management’s responses, and reviewing the internal audit plan and ensuring coordination between internal and external auditors. It shall undertake such other related tasks as the Council may from time to time entrust to it. Campus Planning and Building Committee The Campus Planning and Building Committee undertakes to deal with problems connected with the overall planning of the University site, and to consider the Building Programme in relation to the development of the