Democracy Review – Council 23/04/2015
Background Last Democracy review was 3 years ago This removed policy making powers from Council By and large good (?) but has left behind problems Council being ‘stale’, ‘long’, ‘boring’. Events of last Council
Opportunity ‘We can’t go on like this’… Put in changes for next academic year
This Consultation Today we’ll hopefully: Discuss what any changes should achieve Discuss what the current problems are with Council Touch on Direction of Travel Lets try not to get bogged down in the detail yet. Distinct from the Sabb Role Review
Drivers for Change What are the broad themes that any new Democratic system should achieve? Students Achieving Change Officers of the Future Widening Participation Accountability More Representative Transparency
The Problems with Council Discuss for 5-10 mins on tables (I will switch people around during this time ) ‘Isn’t worth my while’ Procedurally focused – not issue focused Accessibility Unsafe Atmosphere Too long, Agenda too full Not ‘action orientated’ Not able to achieve desired outcomes (ie. Is policy writing directly related to action)
Execs Autumn Elections gathered 2400 Votes 91 Candidates publicly ran They ran because: They wanted to improve life at Warwick for students They wanted to contribute to the SU as an organisation They wanted to grow and develop They wanted to effect change Instead they got wasted in the council chamber
Execs (2) Autumn Elections Execs (essentially Committees) would be like Sports and Socs Committee They would: Have issues of substance to discuss and decide on Allow elected members to take on responsibility and develop into active knowledgeable members of the Union Work on projects, campaigns and effect change Less procedurally focused, more issue focused
Execs (3) Execs would: Be supported by relevant Sabb and Staff Member Have a Chair (not the Sabb) Represent key areas of the Union Do a most of Council’s Current Functions Funding bids, Procedural non-controversial bylaw changes etc.
What it could look like…
Discussion and Questions
Council What’s left? Referrals to ASM Questions to Officers
Assembly Body comprised of a cross section of all our members. 30 members invited via random ballot (a bit like Jury Service) Officer Team & Exec Chairs With safeguards? Probably Definitely Incentive Undertakes: Questions to Officers Referrals to ASM And….
Issue Based Discussions/Consultancies Open to all. Officers can consult on key issues and discuss solutions Eg. Welfare Officer on experiences with Housing.
Composition Split into thirds Stage of study (split 50%/25%/25%: UG/PGT/PGR) International (split 50% each: EU/Non-EU) Liberation (split 25% each: Disabled/Ethnic Minorities/LGBTUA+/Women's) So if 48 invited with idea that perhaps 2/3 turn-up (i.e. 32): UG/PGT/PGR = 8/4/4 EU/Non-EU = 8/8 Disabled/Ethnic Minorities/LGBTUA+/Women's = 4/4/4/4
Advantages Involves a group of students that would not normally engage in the SU Incredibly representative group Ideas and Issues would be discussed by the engaged students and also the body representative of our membership.
Discussion and Questions
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