The Strategic Vision and the latest plans:

• The University Strategic Vision to 2015 (pdf) articulates the institution's core values, mission and key priorities, and the planning process is designed to deliver these.
• The University Plans consist of a Corporate Services Plan (pdf) , Estates Strategy (pdf), Library Strategy and individual College Plans. Summaries of College Plans (pdf) are available for download (CFS login required).

• There are numerous other plans and strategies in place across the University covering areas as diverse as: Learning and Teaching, Environmental Sustainability, Employability  and IT (Draft) and HEIF 5 (CFS login required). There are also New Staff Ordinances in place.

• The College Plans are updated annually on a rolling basis.

How are the Plans Developed?

• The University's Strategic Vision is prepared by the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee and approved by the Senate and University Council.
• Plans and budgets for the University's Colleges, the Corporate Services and the Library are agreed every year through the annual planning and financial forecasting process.
• The annual planning process is guided by the Planning Support Group whilst the financial forecasting process is co-ordinated by the Financial Forecasts Group.
• College plans are designed to achieve specific financial, research and teaching performance targets. Target setting usually occurs in the New Year.
• College and departmental planning carries on throughout the spring.  Annual plans and budgets are given final approval by University Council in July each year.

Plan Implementation and Monitoring

• Plans are implemented and monitored at the local level where possible, working within the framework of the University's academic strategies, regulations and codes of practice and the University's Financial Regulations.
• The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Resources monitors College finances on a monthly basis, including the approval of staff resources.
• In many cases, resources (staff posts and non-pay funds) are approved at College level, but some decisions also need central University endorsement.

Delegated authorities

The following word documents explain how delegated authority and approvals work within the Colleges and the Library (CFS log in required).

Post Approval Form for academic departments and Library
Post Approval Form for Corporate Services
Post Monitoring Template