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The Board of Scrutiny

First set up in 1995 as a result of the Wass Report (1989) and now enshrined in Statute (A VII), the Board of Scrutiny is an important internal mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability in all aspects of University policy. The primary role of the Board is to examine the way in which the University is run and to comment on this to the University's governing body, the Regent House.

Each year the Board is required to scrutinize the following on behalf of the Regent House:

  1. the accounts of the University;
  2. the Annual Report of the Council (including the Annual Report of the General Board to the Council); and 
  3. any Report of the Council proposing allocations from the Chest.

The Board may investigate any matters that arise from these documents and in so doing is empowered to consult any relevant official document, to make enquiries of any officer, to examine the policies of the University, and the arrangements made for the implementation of those policies, and to report thereon to the Regent House.

The Board reports its findings in the form of an Annual Report, which is usually published to the Regent House in July each year. The Report is subject to Discussion by the Regent House and the Council then replies to both the Report and the Discussion remarks by Notice published in the Reporter.

Membership

Membership of the Board of Scrutiny comprises eight elected members of the Regent House (of which two have been members for ten years or less) together with the two Proctors and the two Pro-Proctors. Elected members serve for four years, with four being elected every two years (in Easter Term of odd years). Holders of certain University officers and/or committee memberships are expressly barred in Statute or in Ordinance from membership of the Board, including members of the Council and the General Board and holders of the offices of Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Registrary, Assistant Registrary, or Assistant Treasurer.

Links to relevant legislation:

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