The first meeting of the Union’s Council took place on Tuesday, with the main item of business being proposals to approve a range of changes to the Byelaws of the Students’ Union’s constitution. The changes were suggested to improve how the Union is governed and to ensure that we are working in the interests of our members.

Consultation on these changes began earlier this year, with a working group consisting of students elected to Union Council and Exec Officers. The working group was invited to discuss a number of options and make recommendations to the Union Council and the Board of Trustees. Consequently, the opinions of Union Council were sought before being formally presented to the Board, who approved the proposals in June.

The key changes proposed included:

• Update of the Student Activities Byelaw, which included defining principles for the allocation of funding for the Union’s clubs and societies, and the addition of a Sports Rep and a Societies Rep to the membership of Union Council, to make sure that we are representing all students.

• The change of the VP Communications & Democracy Exec role to ‘VP Communications & Engagement’ in time for next year’s Students’ Union Elections, with the aim of enhancing the engagement of our members with the local community.

Approved

The proposals were approved by Council, meaning that they are now officially part of the Union’s Constitution and Byelaws. The Sports and Societies Representatives will be elected as part of the October elections which will take place between 15 – 17 October, and the new role of VP Communications and Engagement will be up for election in March 2015, as I have indicated my preference to see out the role I was elected to by students.

Yesterday’s Union Council meeting also presented a great opportunity to meet the new elected portfolio reps and school reps, a good bunch of very confident and passionate students who will help the Students’ Union to make student life better in this new academic year. I look forward to working with all our elected reps, campaigning for and representing Huddersfield students locally and nationally.

If you want to become a member of our Union Council, come and find me in the Students’ Union on Floor 5 of Student Central to talk about it together.

Enjoy Freshers’ Festival next week! 

Coco Toma

Vice President Communications & Democracy