Governance

The students' union is a charitable company. There are two overarching ways in which we are led: firstly through the union's democracy which makes political decisions and secondly through the union's governance. Governance focuses on how the charity is run, democracy focuses on how we represent your interests.

Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Plan sets direction for the next few years. It is based on student and stakeholder feedback. It gives us targets to achieve to enhance the student experience at UWTSD.

Memorandum & Articles of Association

This is a legal document which explains the role of the students' union and its powers. It was reviewed and updated in 2021, the approved version will be uploaded soon. To amend this legal document there is a process as set out in the first few pages which includes Board of Trustees, the University's Council, the union's democratic body, and a Company Law Meeting.

Bye-laws

Our Bye Laws give us a framework on how to deliver the Memorandum & Articles of Assoication. Think of them like a toolkit designed to give structure. They can be amended by the Board of Trustees and the union's democratic body jointly.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees meets regularly. It oversees the strategic direction of the students' union and ensures that the charity is complying with relevant legislation.

Affiliations

Affiliation is where the students' union links with another organisation to provide a service to the student population. These affilitations are reviewed annually by students through the Annual General Meeting. The students' union is affiliated to two organisations NUS and BUCS.

NUS - National Union of Students

The students' union is affiliated to both NUS UK and NUS Charity. NUS UK is the recognised body of students across the UK, it is a campaigning organisation which seeks to defend and extend the rights of students. NUS Charity is a charity which supports students' unions directly. Membership of NUS Services Limited is also part of our relationship with NUS UK, meaning that we have access to purchase ethically and as part of the consortium of students' unions (and other organisations who join the consortium). Find out more about NUS on their website.

BUCS - British Universities and Colleges Sport

We are members of BUCS meaning that our students have the opportunity to play against other universities. It is one of the national bodies relates to student support. Find out more about BUCS on their website.

The students' union also has membership of AdviceUK. AdviceUK provides the students' union's confidential advice case management system, Professional Indemnity Insurance, and access to a network of support for our advisers.

Compliance

You may be interested in how we are compliant with certain legislation.

Charities Act 2006

Students' Unions have become charities, which means we're registered with the Charity Commission (the regulator of charities in England and Wales). What this means in practice:

The number of 'paid' trustees needs to be in the minority. Our current Board make up is: 4 Sabbatical Officer ('Paid' Trustees), 4 Student Trustees, and 5 External Trustees
We need to publish an Annual Report in the perscribed Charity format
When we undertake our activities they must be charitable (i.e. have public beneift, our public beneifit is described within our Governing Document 'Memorandum & Articles of Assoication')
Annual Report and Finances published on the Chairty Commission's website (we also publish this on our website too)
Student Groups (clubs and socieities) funding is kept in a separate bank account

Education Act 1994

For a full breakdown of our compliance please review this document.

However, you may be particularly interested in how we allocate funding to student groups; you can find out more information on grants here.

Companies Act 2006

We are a charitable company. What this means in practice is that we don't have shareholders. Everything 'belongs' to the members of the students' union (students).