Comment: Don’t lose LJMU trustees’ goodwill

Jun 16 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

THE reasons given by Liverpool John Moores University for abolishing its board of trustees sound obscure, and are likely to remain so for the time being.

The board voted to dissolve itself by 5-1 after a late agenda item was introduced at a meeting last week. Half of the 12- strong board were not present and last night two members – who are among the institution’s most generous benefactors – hit out at the way the decision was taken.

The University has defended its decision by saying that changes in the way universities were funded meant that, if the board of trustees had not been abolished, "substantial administrative charges" would be incurred for "little demonstrable benefit to the institution".

This could almost be viewed as a false economy, given that the trustees have been responsible for giving hundreds of thousands of pounds to the University and also helping to raise money for the institution.

The Liverpool Daily Post understands that some benefactors are now considering their charitable giving to the University, in light of this decision.

Members of the board included Ever- ton FC life president Sir Philip Carter, renowned city solicitor Rex Makin, newspaper magnate Aldham Robarts, and Phil Redmond, creative director of Liverpool Culture Company and creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks.

The Trust was established in 1991 and has been responsible in a non-executive capacity for ensuring financial management of charitable donations made to the university.

However, given the importance of the decision, it is strange that no such men- tion of the item was put on the agenda for the board meeting. The University seems to have been determined to get rid of its board of trustees, and that is now what it has succeeded in doing.

But, given the goodwill that could be lost as a result of this action, it would be a good idea for the University to make good its commitment to explore the best way to maintain the valued support of its trustees, who have shown such great dedication to LJMU in the past.