Explanatory Notes

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016

2016 asp 15

13 April 2016

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Governance Arrangements

Chapter 1: Governing bodies.Senior lay member of governing body
Membership of governing body
Section 13: Resignation or removal from body

26.Section 13 concerns the resignation or removal of the senior lay member and other members of the governing body of an HEI.

27.Subsection (1) provides that rules made by the governing body of an HEI may contain provision about the procedure for the resignation or removal of members of the governing body, including the senior lay member. Subsection (2) provides that rules for removal should in particular prescribe the grounds for removal, require that removal can only be effected by a resolution based on those grounds and passed by a specified majority of the members of the governing body, and allow the person who is the subject of the resolution to seek a review in order to have the resolution reconsidered or quashed. Subsection (3)(a) provides that, for the purposes of subsection (2)(b), the majority to be specified by the HEI can be any size so long as it is a majority. Subsection (3)(b) provides that the member of the governing body who is the subject of the resolution should not be counted in the calculation of a majority and is not entitled to vote on the resolution. Subsection (4) provides that rules made about the procedure for the resignation or removal of the senior lay member do not need to be the same as rules made about the procedure for the resignation or removal of other members of the governing body of an HEI.