Council Remuneration Policy
Intent
To provide information and guidance on the remuneration of members of the University Council and the Committees of Council.
Scope
This policy applies to the members of the James Cook University Council and the Committees of Council as follows:
- The Chancellor
- The Deputy Chancellor
- Governor-in-Council Appointed Council members
- University Appointed Council members
- Elected Academic Staff Council members
- The Elected Professional and Technical Staff Council member
- The Elected Student Council member
- Co-opted Additional members of Council Committees
This policy does not apply to:
- The Vice Chancellor
- The Chairperson of the Academic Board
- Senior Executive Staff
- Members of the Council Remuneration Committee, Academic Board, Curriculum Committee. Education Committee and Research Committee
- The University’s Controlled Entity Boards
Definitions
University Council – the University’s governing body.
Committees of Council – governance level Committees of the Council as defined in the Council Committee Structure Chart.
Members – means members of the University Council and members of Committees of Council included in the scope of this Policy.
Policy
The University has the express power to remunerate members of the University Council and Council Committees.
Council and Committee members make a significant contribution to the community which the University serves through their participation in the governance of the University. All Council members have the same governance responsibilities, liabilities and obligations, whether official, appointed, or elected.
In recognition of the accountability and workload associated with meeting the responsibilities of being a Council or Committee member, the University will remunerate these positions in accordance with the University's Council Remuneration Schedule. Remuneration for members of the University Council recognises all associated activities and functions related to Council membership, including attendance at Council and Committee meetings, University functions, graduation ceremonies, and reading, preparation and follow-up actions for Council and Committee meetings, along with travel to and from meetings often away from their place of residence.
Remuneration is payable to all members of the University Council (except for the Vice Chancellor and Chairperson of the Academic Board who are members by virtue of their position) in order to foster a culture based on equality and mutual cooperation. Remuneration is also payable to the external Co-opted Additional members of the Committees of Council.
Every Council member’s contribution is equally valued and recognised, however it is recognised that both the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor, as well as Committee Chairs, have increased workloads by virtue of the critical leadership roles they play and additional responsibilities they have on Council and accordingly are remunerated at a higher rate.
The elected staff members of Council are remunerated on the basis that their Council and Committee related activities are in addition to their substantive role.
Council and Council Committee remuneration does not reflect commercial rates but reflects community expectations and the spirit of service through participation in the governance of the University.
Council Remuneration Committee
The Council Remuneration Committee is an independent committee of the James Cook University Council established on 25 October 2019 under Division 2, Section 11(1)(b) of the JCU Act 1997. The role of the committee is to determine all matters associated with Council, Council Committee and Controlled Entity Board Remuneration.
The Committee has been delegated decision-making authority by Council to set and approve remuneration arrangements for members of Council, its Committees and Controlled Entity Directors, including the University’s policy in relation to such arrangements, from time to time. It has a majority of external independent members and one Council member.
All decisions related to the remuneration of Council and Committee members will be taken by the Council Remuneration Committee independent of the Council.
Conflicts of Interests
The Council Remuneration Committee has a majority of external independent members who have no role or connection to JCU and one Council member in order to satisfy section 11 of the James Cook University Act 1997 (Qld). If the Council member, who is also a member of the Council Remuneration Committee, has a material personal interest in any decision before the Committee they would have a conflict of interests and this would be dealt with in accordance with the Conflicts of Interests Policy – University Council and its Committees and its Procedure, and the member would excuse themselves from the deliberations and decision-making of the committee.
The Enterprise Agreement
The University's approved Enterprise Agreement does not apply to members of Council or Council Committees who are remunerated under this policy. Where a staff member covered by the Enterprise Agreement, and is also a member of Council or a Council Committee, the University’s Enterprise Agreement will apply to the staff member’s normal work duties. The Enterprise Agreement will not apply to the staff member when undertaking duties and responsibilities as a member of Council or Council Committee, which is within the scope of this policy.
Where a staff member is a member of a Council Committee that is not within the scope of this policy (i.e., Academic Board, Curriculum Committee, Education Committee and Research Committee), the University’s Enterprise Agreement will apply to the staff member’s normal work duties and their duties and responsibilities as a member of that Committee.
Controlled Entity Boards
The University recognises the contribution made by external members of the University’s Controlled Entity Boards. However, the University’s Controlled Entities are separate companies under the Corporations Act and/or registered charities each with its own board and directors, with JCU being the controlling shareholder. If a Controlled Entity believes there is an argument for the remuneration of its board members it should make a recommendation to JCU as the shareholder for consideration, via the Council Remuneration Committee.
Review
This policy, the Council Remuneration Procedure and the Council Remuneration Schedule will be reviewed every three years by the Council Remuneration Committee.
Related policy instruments
Conflicts of Interests Policy – University Council and its Committees
Conflicts of Interest Procedure - University Council and its Committees
Council Remuneration Procedure
Schedules/Appendices
Council Remuneration Schedule
Related documents and legislation
Administration
NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.
Approval Details
Policy Domain | Corporate Governance |
Policy Sub-domain | Council Matters |
Policy Custodian | Vice Chancellor |
Approval Authority | Council Remuneration Committee |
Date for next Major Review | 08/12/2026 |
Revision History
Version | Approval date | Implementation date | Details | Authors |
23-1 | 08/12/2023 | 08/12/2023 | Policy updated as part of review of Council Remuneration | University Secretary Director, HR |
20-1 | 09/04/2020 | 01/01/2021 | Policy established | University Secretary Director, HR |
Keywords | Council, Remuneration |
Contact Person | Director, Human Resources |