Governance office

Source: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/ Parent: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/visiting-speakers/

Governance handbook

The Governance Handbook provides guidelines, principles and recommended templates to support the operation of formal committees and groups across the University.  All colleagues across the University are welcome to use the Handbook and its guidance. The templates for agendas, reports, minutes and actions have been designed for ease of use, and – depending on local context and requirements – may be adapted according to a committee’s needs. The Handbook may also be used by staff supporting working groups, task and finish groups, and informal groups, if they so wish.

Colleagues providing agenda items for University formal governance committees (the Board and its committees, and Senate) are required to use the templates included in the Handbook to ensure a standardised approach, presentation and quality in support of University governance activity.

Along with the full set of guidelines, principles and recommended templates, accessed by clicking on the relevant boxes below, there is the Governance Handbook Summary – a quick round up of information with top tips for colleagues working with committees and groups across the University.

[## Committees

Committees are an essential component of university governance.

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/committees/) [## Roles and responsibilities

Comprehensive guidance for the roles, available to download.

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/roles-responsibilities/) [## Agenda Development and Scheduling

Committee meetings require circulation of an agenda and papers in advance of the meeting

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/agenda-development-scheduling/)

[## Report and paper writing

Guidance for drafting papers and reports to Committees

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/report-paper-writing/) [## University governance and decision making

Following the ethos, principles and requirements of good governance in higher education.

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/university-governance/) [## Minutes and Actions

Minutes provide an accurate, impartial record of a meeting

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/minutes-actions/)

[## Templates

A range of templates are available here for you to download and use

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/templates/) [## Data Protection and Freedom of Information

Further information on complying with GDPR and FOI

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/data-protection/) [## Further Information

Further information is available on Committee guidance

Read more](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/further-information/)

[## Our Governance Handbook summary

A round-up of the full handbook with handy tips.](https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/governance/handbook/governance_handbook_summary/)