This framework sets out where authority for key decisions rests within the Students’ Union. Where the primary authority has chosen to delegate the approval and execution of a decision or process, they will retain the ultimate accountability and corporate responsibility for the decision or process. There is, however, an expectation that decisions should be delegated to the lowest level within reasonable limits.
This document has been prepared with reference to the Articles of Association, the Students’ Union’s governing document. It is also intended to be entirely consistent with the published Financial Regulations of the Students Union.
Objectives:
- To streamline decision making, ensuring that decisions are not escalated above a level where there is sufficient expertise and experience to make the decision.
- To provide full clarity and transparency on decision-making and authorities to make commitments/accountability.
- To ensure that the business of the Union is not hampered by undue process - controls should be proportional to risk.
As the body with overall governance responsibility for the Union, the Board of Trustees (BoT) is itself responsible for approving the strategy and associated plans and budgets; for determining major business decisions; for the framework of governance and management; and for monitoring institutional and executive performance. These responsibilities may be delegated to formal committees of the BoT and/or to the Chief Executive (and the Leadership Team) as defined in the Articles of Association.
The Chief Executive (CEO), as the Senior Manager of the Union, is responsible to the BoT, for the operational management of all aspects of the Union’s work. The Chief Executive is expected to delegate responsibility for specific aspects of the Union’s management to individual members of the Union’s Leadership Team but retains ultimate responsibility for their work.
The Heads of Department (HOD) are responsible to the BoT (through the Chief Executive) for the leadership and overall management of their respective portfolios and sections in accordance with their job descriptions and the policies and Financial Regulations of the Union. They may delegate responsibility for specific aspects of their remit to other HODs and staff of the Union but retain ultimate responsibility and accountability for the management of their departments and faculties.
The appropriate budget holder may authorise expenditure up to the limits set out below providing it has been included in the budget approved by Trustees. Any order above these limits must be authorised by the Chief Executive or the individual’s line manager (subject to their own authorisation limit).
All orders above £25,000 need to be presented to the Trustee board for approval if not already included in the Union budget.
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Good for Resale / Merch
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Other Goods / Services
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Chief Executive
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£5,000
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£25,000
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Head of Finance & Operations
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N/A
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£5,000
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Other Head of Dept
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N/A
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£2,500
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Coordinators
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N/A
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£1,000
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The Committee or individual who holds the Delegated Authority is responsible for adhering to the delegation principles and for control of any action to sub-delegate the authorities delegated to them. Budget Holders may delegate authority within their budget, but they cannot delegate their overall accountability.
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