Code of Practice for Council Members

26 Code of Practice for Council Members 18 4.2. Council Proceedings The Council shall meet at least 3 times in each academic year and additionally on the written request of the Chairman of the Council or the Vice-Chancellor or any 5 Council members. The quorum at any meeting of the Council shall be 12. The Secretary of the Council is generally responsible for developing the agenda and supporting papers for Council meetings, in consultation with the Chairman of the Council and the Vice-Chancellor. They shall be provided to Council members 7 days in advance of the meeting. All resolutions are formally recorded in the minutes, and a resolution in writing which is approved in writing by a majority of Council members shall be valid and effectual as if they have been passed at a meeting of the Council. 4.3. Corporate Decision Making The Council should exercise its responsibilities in a corporate manner; that is to say, decisions should be taken collectively by all Council members acting as a body. Council members should not act individually, or in groupings, to take decisions on Council business on an ad hoc basis outside the constitutional framework of the meetings of the Council and its committees. 4.4. Delegation The Council may, subject to the University Ordinance and Statutes and such conditions as it may impose, delegate any of its powers and duties to any Board, committee or to any officer. Such delegation must be clearly defined in writing and be formally approved by the Council. Although the Council may delegate its authority to other bodies or individuals to act on its behalf, the Council is nevertheless still ultimately accountable and has to accept corporate responsibility for the actions taken. 4.5. Role of the Chairman The Chairman is responsible for the leadership of the Council and its effectiveness, such as • promoting the well-being and efficient operation of the Council, discussing those issues when it needs to discuss, and dispatching its responsibilities in a business-like manner; • ensuring that all Council members observe the highest standards of corporate governance, probity and integrity; • facilitating the proper discharge of its functions and delegated responsibilities by the Council committees, and its timely report back duty in contributing to the proper conduct of Council business;