People and Remuneration Committee Terms of Reference

Authority

• The Committee operates under the authority of, and reports to, the Board.
• The Board of Management authorises the Committee to:
  • Obtain independent professional advice if necessary.
  • Approve matters directly, as outlined under the Remit section.

Remit 

• Review, approve and monitor the implementation of the College’s People Strategy and associated plans, and submit reports and make recommendations to the Board of Management as appropriate.
• Review regular reports and key performance information related to all matters concerning human resources, organisational development, health and safety, staff welfare and well-being, and equality. Periodically review and approve the College’s policies and strategies regarding such matters.
• Members will receive regular updates on pay negotiations and agreements, including those related to national bargaining.
• Retain oversight of the effectiveness of the College’s employee relations, arrangements for negotiation and consultation, processes for dealing with discipline and grievance and Recognition and Procedure Agreements.
• Review and monitor communications, marketing, brand reputation, and community partnerships activity, in line with the Edinburgh College Engagement Plan.
• Review and approve the College’s equality outcomes and its equality and diversity policies, to ensure that they comply fully with statutory requirements and are reflected in the College’s strategic and operational plans so that equality and diversity form an integral part of decision-making in the College.
• Monitor the implementation of the College’s policies and regulatory reporting on equality and diversity, and regularly review its performance on key indicators in relation to protected characteristics.
• Receive updates on the Continuous Professional Development for support and teaching staff.
• The Committee will take into account;
  • That Executive Team should be fairly rewarded for their individual performance and contribution to the College's overall performance;
  • That performance–related elements of remuneration be designed to give keen incentives to the highest level performance based on individual KPIs which are aligned to the College’s measures of performance;
  • Where, in terms of Executive Team remuneration, the College stands in relation to other comparable institutions in the sector;
  • The relationship between the remuneration of the senior management and that of other employees of the College;
  • The benefits granted to the Executive Team;
  • The need to contain costs whilst employing suitably qualified and experienced staff;
  • The adequacy of pension arrangements and also the cost implication of pension arrangements, including the pension effect of remuneration proposals.
• To oversee and approve policy and decision-making in relation to severance, having regard to the relevant guidance:
  • To approve any relevant schemes or individual enhancements before seeking consent, where required from the Funding Council;
  • To bring severance matters to the attention of the Board as appropriate.
  • Recommend to the Board of Management any issues of significance that fall within the Committee’s remit.

Memberships and Attendance

• At least three Board members will be represented on the Committee. More than one-half of the Committee’s membership will comprise non-executive Board members. The remaining members shall include the Principal and Chief Executive, as well as both staff and student Board members.
• The duties of the Committee will be conducted as a closed session comprising non-executive Board members and a Student Member. The Principal and Chief Executive will be invited to attend the closed session at the discretion of the Committee Chair, but will not have the right to vote.
• Additional members may be co-opted to the Committee with the approval of the Board of Management. Co-opted members shall contribute to the business of the Committee but will not have the right to vote.
• Members of the Committee shall elect a Chair from among their number. In accordance with the Standing Orders, approved and issued by the Board of Management, the Chair should be a non-executive member. The Committee may also choose to elect a Vice Chair.
• The Chief Operating Officer and the Vice Principal Corporate Development shall act as Executive Leads for the Committee.

Meetings and Quoracy

• The Committee shall meet at least two times in each academic year. Meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders as approved and issued by the Board of Management.
• The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be no less than one-half of the members, as outlined in Membership and Attendance, who are entitled to vote. At least one-half of those attending must be non-executive members to complete a quorum.

Review

• Members will review the Committee’s Terms of Reference at least annually. Any amendments shall be submitted to the Nominations and Governance Committee for consideration and approval.