# University Council

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/

Council is the governing body of the University, in accordance with our [Charter and Statutes](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/charter-statutes/).

It has ultimate accountability for decision making, ensuring there is effective management in place and determining our future direction.

Council stewards the University’s reputation, resources and infrastructure.

It also ensures we remain financially sustainable and that we meet our legal obligations, so we can deliver academic excellence and our public good mission for many years to come.

Council appoints and advises the Vice-Chancellor, and ensures that the University is well led.

Council has 23 members, including student and staff representatives, but most members come from outside the University.

In order to provide independent oversight, the Chair and the majority of Council members are not members of University staff.

They volunteer their time and bring independent experiences and insights from a range of sectors and professions.

Council meets four times each year and also holds a strategic away day at the start of each new academic session.

> ## Terms of reference
>
> Council's Statement of Primary Responsibilities explains what it does, how it reviews its own effectiveness and how it delegates authority.
>
> [Read the Council's Terms of reference](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/terms-of-reference/)

## Questioning and curiosity

Chair of Council, Dr Alice Maynard, talks about the role of non-executive members in questioning and holding Council to account, and why we need different perspectives at the table.

Alice became Chair of Council in August 2023.

[Find out more about our Council members](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/members/)

<https://youtu.be/4xznZZeRIJo>

[Council membership](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/members/)

[Council meeting dates](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/council-meetings/)

[Council minutes](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/council-minutes/)

[Information for committee secretaries](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/members-secretaries/)

## Subcommittees

Council delegates work to subcommittees ([view organogram](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MVGdZkrX8TdB8kqQ8keuF7f1yMm6CPQOwNi6BfSNxdk/edit?usp=sharing)) chaired by independent Council members. Senate and University Executive Board (UEB) also report to Council.

Council's subcommittees are:

### [Audit and Risk Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/audit-risk-committee/)

### [Constitution and Nominations Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/constitution-nominations-committee/)

### [Finance Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/finance-committee/)

### [People and Remuneration Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/pay-and-grading/remuneration/remuneration-committee/vc-remuneration/)

### [Urgent Decisions Group](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/urgent-decisions-group/)

## What’s it really like being a staff governor?

Jonny Exon is Interim Head of College Life at the University and served as a staff member on Council from 2022 until 2024. In this blog for WonkHE, Jonny Exon explains how joining Council as an elected staff representative gave him a voice in university governance.

He gives the lowdown on what it's like to sit on Council and how staff membership helps ensure that decisions reflect the complex realities of university life.

[What’s it really like being a staff governor?](https://wonkhe.com/blogs/whats-it-really-like-being-a-staff-governor/)

## Find out more

### [Other Subcommittees](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/)

### [Committee of University Chairs publications](https://www.universitychairs.ac.uk/publications/)

## Contact us

**Chair of Council: Alice Maynard**

Pro-Chancellor

- [chair-of-council@york.ac.uk](mailto:chair-of-council@york.ac.uk)

**For agendas and minutes: Adam Hewitt**

University Secretary

- [adam.hewitt@york.ac.uk](mailto:adam.hewitt@york.ac.uk)

**Meeting administration:**

- [council-support@york.ac.uk](mailto:council-support@york.ac.uk)

## Related links

- [Council Elections 2024-25](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/election/)
- [Preparing papers for committees](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/members-secretaries/preparing-papers/)