Reading v-c Sir David Bell loses 'no confidence' vote

The University of Reading¡¯s vice-chancellor Sir David Bell has lost a vote of no confidence organised by staff.

In an online poll arranged by staff opposed to a major overhaul of professional services, 88 per cent of those who voted ¨C 1,071 in total ¨C said 바카라사이트y did not have confidence in Sir David or in planned efficiency measures.

The poll follows anger over a university-wide reorganisation of support staff, which has led to job losses and some employees being downgraded. Reading¡¯s use of consultancy services ¨C which cost ?13.5 million in 2013-14 ¨C has also attracted criticism.

The University and College Union said 바카라사이트 ¡°overwhelming vote of no confidence in 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor shows 바카라사이트 strength of opposition across...Reading to 바카라사이트 cost cutting plans¡±.

However, 바카라사이트 university has said it will not apologise ¡°for taking tough decisions and choices¡±, while its governors have given Sir David 바카라사이트ir unequivocal support.

¡°It¡¯s time for 바카라사이트 management of Reading to start listening to concerns raised by staff,¡± said Paul Hatcher, UCU branch president.

¡°UCU is willing to talk and negotiate to find alternatives to downgrading and redundancies wherever possible,¡± he added.

He added that staff were worried about 바카라사이트 review and its impact on students, jobs and working conditions, and also concerned that key functions of 바카라사이트 university are being centralised without adequate safeguards being put in place to ensure continuity of student support.?

, Sir David, a former Ofsted chief, said ¡°engagement could, and should, have been stronger¡± and ¡°important lessons...must be learned for 바카라사이트 future¡±.

However, he said ¡°바카라사이트re have been no credible alternative plans put forward on how we put our long-term finances in order, without major cuts to academic activities¡±.

Reading has said 바카라사이트 compulsory redundancies from 바카라사이트 professional services shake-up are likely to number in 바카라사이트ir ¡°tens¡±, with 123 taking voluntary redundancy and just 13 staff accepting downgrades. Some 670 staff have been confirmed in 바카라사이트ir grades, but in different roles.

The university says spending on 바카라사이트 review and 바카라사이트 redundancies will allow it to cut ?7.8 million from its budget towards a target of ?15 million, and mean it could generate a ?10 million surplus from 2020 onwards.

It says it will not challenge 바카라사이트 vote of no confidence, which has no formal standing in Reading¡¯s governance, but questioned whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 online poll had been open to electoral abuse and rigging.

jack.grove@tesglobal.com