A set of financial restrictions, brought in by the University to manage the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, will be largely lifted from 1 January.

The Financial Review Guidelines were first introduced in March 2020 and then eased following a review in January 2021.

They have provided an additional layer of cost control above and beyond our normal financial management.

At a meeting today (Monday 13 December), the University’s Executive Group (UEG) decided they were no longer needed in their current form.

The majority of the measures will be lifted altogether. Some others, including travel, are being absorbed into the University’s standard practices. This means that budget holders are once again free to use their discretion, within ongoing financial regulations, but they are asked to consider the University’s Sustainable Sussex ambitions in making any spending decisions.

Allan Spencer, the Director of Finance, said: “It is good news that we no longer need special financial measures in relation to the pandemic.

“Through people’s efforts and sacrifices, we have been able to achieve significant non-pay savings, which have undoubtedly contributed to the positive progress of the Size and Shape project.

“While we are in a position to ease these financial restrictions, we mustn’t lose sight of the progress we have been able to make, through them, towards our other strategic ambitions, most notably our sustainability agenda. We are all now thinking much more carefully about travel and virtual attendance is a much more realistic and attractive prospect. Likewise, I don’t expect any of us will be printing at the volumes we were post-pandemic. Wherever possible, we will be wrapping these measures into our business-as-usual policies.”

The FRGs are broken down into a number of key categories. Here is what has been decided for each category:

• Staff Costs – these measures are being lifted, as effective ongoing controls are in place to ensure all recruitment has a sound business case 
• Travel and accommodation - ability to travel will be reinstated but adapted, to encourage staff to first consider alternative arrangements in the first instance 
• Training and conferences - these measures are being lifted, with staff encouraged to choose sustainable alternatives where possible 
• Printing, stationery, and printed material – this will be embedded into standard practices 
• Catering for meetings – this will be adapted and embedded into standard practices. Further guidance will follow in the new year 
• IT assets and equipment - this will be embedded into standard practices, with clearer guidance on procuring equipment to support hybrid working 
• Fixtures and fittings, furniture and other assets – this will be amended to support hybrid working and embedded into standard practices

Updated policies and regulations, such as procurement guidelines, will be shared with colleagues in January.