Strategic Performance and Resources Committee
Terms of Reference and Membership 2021-22
Role
The Strategic Performance and Resources Committee (SPRC) is a Council committee which has three key governance roles:
- shaping and recommending to Council a robust strategic process for the development of long term strategy within the University as well as shaping key enabling strategies
- scrutiny of financial planning and budgeting; and,
- scrutiny of the overall performance of the University in line with its strategy and financial plans.
The Committee has a role to consider and be assured that a robust strategic process is in place in relation to long-term organisational strategy and to the enabling strategies that fall out of this. Council retains prime responsibility for owning and approving the University’s strategy. SPRC’s focus, in line with other committees, is on oversight and assurance rather than management and delivery. It strives to liaise effectively with senior management and to give detailed consideration to proposals in a timely fashion in order to enable Council as a whole to best exercise its prescribed actions. The Committee has a responsibility to ensure that value for money for all students and taxpayers is embedded in decision making, in line with the University’s Value for Money Policy, having regard to VfM whenever it is called to review proposals and approve plans in line with its delegated authority, ensuring transparency and accountability in operational decision making and planning for the future. Where appropriate this regard to VfM should include measuring and reporting on performance to determine if projects have delivered their intended outcomes and secured value for money.
Terms of Reference:
Composition
Membership:
- Chair (independent member of Council)
- At least four independent members of Council
- Vice-Chancellor
- One student member of Council as agreed by Chair and Chair of SPRC
- Two staff members of Council (method of election / nomination to be agreed between the
Chair and the Vice-Chancellor) - formatting
In attendance:
- Provost
- Chief Operating Officer
- Director of Finance
Deputising for members is not permitted without explicit agreement of the Chair. The Chair may co-opt additional members as required.
The Committee cannot further delegate its responsibilities as set out above.
The Chair of Council will receive papers for information and have attendance rights.
Committee Management
Secretary provided through Governance Office
Quorum
Five members (at least 3 of which must be independent members)
Frequency of meetings
Five times per year
Reports to
Council
Current Membership
Chair: Kirstin Baker CBE
Independent members: Stephen Caddick, Mark Devlin, Adrienne Fresko CBE, Katie Ghose
Staff member: Gerhard Wolf
Sussex Direct: Committee Information: Strategic Performance and Resources Committee