Governing Body and Council

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 2107 Governing Body
Held at	: City University   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.city.ac.uk/library/resources/special-collection/university-archives ›
Full title	: Governing Body and Council
Date(s)	: 1891-1999
Level of description	: Sub-fonds of City University Archives View parent record
Extent	: 20 linear feet
Name of creator(s)	: Northampton Institute Northampton Polytechnic Institute Northampton Polytechnic Northampton College of Advanced Technology City University

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The original Governing Body of the Northampton Institute was to comprise seventeen members composed as follows: three appointed by the Central Governing Body of the City Polytechnic (the Trustees of the London Parochial Charities, also known as the City Parochial Foundation or CPF), one by the London County Council (LCC), one by the Schools Board for London, four by the Skinners' Company, one by the Saddlers' Company, one each by the Governing Bodies of the Birkbeck Institute and the City of London College, and five co-opted members (these original five comprised three then engaged in the major local industry of the watch and clock trade). The Governing Body first met at the Birbeck Institute on 1 Feb 1892. The 4th Marquess of Northampton and his son, the Earl Compton both desired to become members of the Body, and the scheme was amended to increase its composition to twenty one members. Meetings were held monthly.
Designation of the Institute as College of Advanced Technology (CAT) in 1957 also involved a revision of the Governing Body. No less than five members were now to be appointed by the LCC, one each by the County Councils of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, one from the University of London, four by the Skinners', one by the Saddlers', three by the CPF, and six cooptative members. Not less than six of the Governors were to have current professional or industrial experience relating to the work of the college. Advisory bodies representing industry and professional bodies in each technology were also established. The transition of CATs to `direct grant' funding from the Ministry of Education in 1962 involved another reform of the Governing Body; five Local Education Authorities (of which four were to be LCC), one from the Regional Advisory Council, two from the University of London, four from the Skinners', one from the Saddlers', four from the Academic Board of the College, one from the Ministry of Education, the Principal ex-officio and co-opted members.
As a result of the Robbins Report of 1963, proposing the conversion of the CATs into full technological universities, the College sought interest of affiliation with other relevant institutions. Discussions were begun with Sir John Cass College, Jewry Street, London and the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield, though no resultant link was achieved.
The Governing Body held its final meeting on 26 Sep 1966. This was also its first meeting as the successor body, the Council of The City University, which controls the financial and legal side of the university.
The Lady Superintendent was `responsible, under the direction of the Principal, to the Governing Body, for all matters educational and social connected with women attending the institute'. The first Lady Superintendent, Mrs A Winton Thorpe, was appointed in 1896, and was succeeded by Mrs A M Tuck in 1898. Her successor, Miss V P Muddock, was appointed in 1928. On her retirement in 1949, the post was not filled again.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Governing Body of City University and predecessors, 1891-1999, including signed minutes, 1892-1999; Committee minutes books, 1892-1933; Council minute book, 1906-1918; Principal's Report books, 1896-1937; Lady Superintendent's Report book, 1896-1914; Letter book, 1892-1893; Title deeds and documents re various premises, 1887-1969; papers regarding designation as a College of Advanced Technology (CAT) with scheme of management, 1956-1957; papers and documents regarding University Charter, 1964-1967, with Charity Commission schemes and agreements, 1891; record of discussions with Sir John Cass College regarding possible amalgamation, 1965; annual reports, 1932-1999; printed minutes with annual reports, 1897-1999; Governing Body attendance books, 1934-1966; Governing Body agendas, 1939-1947, 1949-1952, 1955, 1957, 1965-1966; Council agendas, 1963-1999; Council minutes (unsigned), 1970-1979; Council minutes, reserved items, 1978-1979; Special Council meeting minutes, 1964-1968; Council minutes, 1999; Ordinances, 1966-1973, 1987-1999; Governing body management schemes for Battersea, Chelsea and Northampton Colleges, 1962 (photocopy), with schemes for management of Northampton Polytechnic Institute, 1912, and Northampton CAT, 1960s; schemes, drafts and agreements with London County Council (LCC) following direct grant status, 1961-1966; reports of Charity commissioners, 1892; City Parochial Foundation "Polytechnics and the Poorer Classes", 1933; LCC reviews and schemes, 1923, 1928,1949,1964; development Plan, 1967-1968; leaflets regarding compact with Islington Council, 1996, and affiliation of Inns of Court Law School, 1997; corporate plan responses to consultation, 1999; CU proposed Institute of Education, 1972; records relating to the foundation of City University, comprising Draft Charter, Statutes and Petition, 1965; copies of petition and University Charter, 1966, with index.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English.

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

On written application to the University Librarian.

Conditions governing reproduction:

At the discretion of the University Librarian.

Finding aids:

Survey lists of City University archives by Janet Foster, 2000 (available in hard copy at City University).

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Internal accumulation during the course of business.

Allied Materials

Related material:

See City University collection level description for relevant related material.

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project, based on survey information by Janet Foster. Source: The City University - a history by S John Teague (City University, London, 1990).

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Mar 2001