MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE TRIPARTITE ADVISORY GROUP (TAG)
22 June 2010
9: 30 - 10: 30 am
Attendees
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
Stephen Kerr, Deputy Director and Head of Higher Education and Learner Support
Audrey MacDougall, Head of Lifelong Learning Analytical Services Division
John McClelland, Chair of Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC)
Mark Batho, Chief Executive of SFC
Laurence Howells, Senior Director of Learning, Research and Knowledge Exchange
Anton Muscatelli, Convener of Universities Scotland
Bernard King, Vice Convener of Universities Scotland
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland
Apologies
Martin Cheyne, Chair of the Chairs of Scottish Courts
Andrew Scott, Director of Lifelong Learning
Secretariat
Ann McVie, Higher Education and Learner Support Division
Agenda
1. Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed for the record.
2. Progress report from Technical Subgroup
The Scottish Government presented a progress report from the Technical Subgroup.
Work on the assessment of comparative levels of funding was progressing, albeit more slowly than originally envisaged. The Technical Subgroup was now engaging with the contractor to refine the range of possible measures and produce a draft report for consideration by TAG. Work on the economic impact of universities was at a more advanced stage. The focus was now on producing an accessible summary for what was a detailed, comprehensive and technical analysis of the economic contribution of universities. It had not been possible to engage an external contractor for the workstream on the efficiency and effectiveness of universities' use of funding, within the budget available for this work. There was however a considerable amount of material available across the Group about the efficiency and effectiveness of universities. The Group would be meeting shortly, to assess the available material and identify the best way forward. It was agreed that the Technical Subgroup should aim to have concluded all aspects of its work by September. There was continued external interest in the work of the Technical Subgroup.
3. Implementing New Horizons
The SFC reported that its Circular on the Horizon Fund had issued on 18 June, following an iterative discussion with US. The resultant process had been designed to be logical, fair, systematic and transparent. US acknowledged that its feedback had been taken into account. Going forward, it was agreed that it would be important to review how well the process was operating and make any necessary revisions, to ensure it was fit for purpose. The aim was for the process to be as simple and transparent as possible, while maintaining an appropriate level of accountability.
On Knowledge Exchange, both the SFC and US acknowledged that that the debate had moved forward considerably over recent months, prior to the issue of the consultation. This was evidenced in the largely consistent, and positive, responses to the consultation.
US presented the work it had been undertaking on an overarching outcome statement for the university sector. Considerable progress had been made since the previous meeting. The next step would be to refine the proposed indicators and ensure they represented the full extent of universities' contribution to the National Performance Framework. Input to this process from the SG and the SFC would be welcomed.
It was agreed that it would not be mandatory for each higher education institution (HEI) to produce its own outcome statement. It was however recognised that the final version at sector level would provide a useful framework for possible adoption by individual institutions. It was therefore agreed that, once the final statement had been endorsed by TAG, it would be circulated to all HEIs and published.
4. Future funding models and next spending review
US briefly outlined how the sector was contributing to the Government's Purpose and to Scotland's economic, social and cultural development. It was recognised that the sector made a substantial contribution and that, through New Horizons and the work of TAG, there was now an improved understanding of that contribution and the importance of universities for economic recovery.
Looking ahead to very challenging public funding settlements, US would work constructively with the SG and the SFC to maximise efficiencies over the short, medium and longer term.
5. Communications
It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting would be published on the Scottish Government website.
6. Next Meeting
It was agreed the next meeting would take place in September/October.
Ann McVie
Scottish Government
June 2010