Scheme of Delegation

Scheme of Delegation Explanatory Notes 

This guidance is not intended to be exhaustive. Both the University's Scheme of Delegation and the Terms of Reference of the relevant committee will also be helpful reference points. 

Examples of minor amendments: 

• Minor changes to documentation, for example: 

• • Correcting errors (typos etc) 
  • Updating contact points/names/terminology/job titles
  • Minor clarifications 
  • Minor changes to policies where the policy principles are not being altered but wording process steps are being clarified/streamlined
  • Minor changes to policies required to comply with legislative requirements over which the University has no control and for which consequences are not far-reaching 
  • Changes to align with previously agreed procedures or minor changes to an existing document that do not: 
    • Alter the original intention of the document 
    • Require wider consultation 
    • Have resource implications outside of the delegated authority of the group/committee 
    • Have health and safety implications (unless such matters are within the remit of the group/committee) 
    • Have strategic significance 
    • Impact on or relate to the institutional risk register 

Examples of major amendments: 

• Changes to the overarching principles or original intention of the document 
• Changes that may affect individuals (staff or students) - also consider whether such changes require a new Equality Impact Assessment to be undertaken (for staff or students) 
• Changes that require wider consultation or will have a wider impact on other University services, including changes that will have resource implications 
• Complete re-writes of existing documents
• Changes required to reflect updates to legislation/regulation, where material changes are needed with far-reaching effect (unless such changes have been explicitly delegated to a specific body). 
• Changes that result in additional cost to the University. 

A brand new Policy/Framework/Regulation would need to be approved by the identified senior (parent) committee. 

If you are unsure whether the committee in question has the relevant delegated authority to approve any changes, whether major or minor, please contact the Governance Team.