BUFDG Digest 5 May

VALUE / EFFICIENCY

There are a few fascinating articles this week by sector colleagues and commentators covering the topics of value and efficiency. In the first, Sheffield Hallam Deputy V-C Richard Calvert argues that the sector should take a fresh look at ‘efficiency’ and that, while often “associated with cost-cutting and managerialism”, it’s something that universities should prioritise as “an everyday part of good leadership in a complex and fast-changing world”. You can read his thoughts on the AHUA website.

Secondly, Nick Hillman of HEPI argues that “How we talk about the ‘value’ of higher education” needs to change, particularly with a major spending review on the horizon. He writes that “People in higher education generally like to follow the evidence and it seems logical that, if only we can prove the value of what we do, then adequate (if not generous) funding will be forthcoming… But we must also ask why, if the benefits are so provable, they do not always cut through”. His solution is for the sector to put itself in the government’s shoes, be ready to compare itself to other sectors and, if cuts/changes are required, “what is the least bad alternative option?”

Thirdly, Mat Oakley, Head of UK and European commercial research at Savills, makes a case for re-imagining the use of university estates post-Covid, via the HEPI website. In an extension of the trends that many universities will have already been following and considering since before the pandemic, he talks about the extension of flexible working, not just for office space, but across laboratories, retail, knowledge sharing, and in engaging with local communities. He writes that “The desire to make better use of spaces, be more flexible and to integrate better in the community were already well ingrained in many estates strategies. The post-pandemic era has not negated any of these strategies and in our opinion, has made some of them more deliverable.”

PROCUREMENT

Today we were privileged to be joined by Claire Pearson, Director of Business Development at Belu, for the very first in our new meet the Social Enterprise series. A huge thank you to Claire and the team at Belu for such a useful, inspirational and thought-provoking session which covered so many important topics for Universities ranging from social value to sustainability, plastics and carbon reduction... and more! Claire’s contact details are included in the slide deck should you wish to pick up with her directly. The recording of the session is being edited and will be made available ASAP – please let Ashley know if you would like to be notified immediately when the recording is online.

Last week we ran two time to talk sessions on the important subject of apprenticeships.  The first session was led by James Whybrow, Associate Director at RSM, and covered the levy itself.  The second session was led by Karl Bentley, Senior Manager at RSM, and focused on compliance.  A big thanks to James, Karl and the team at RSM for two thought provoking and very useful sessions for BUFDG and UHR members. More information, and links to slides and recordings are available in this article.

Mills & Reeve held an informative webinar last week detailing how institutions can make the most of social value in public procurement. Many HEPA members joined the session, but for those who could not make it, or those who would like to share the webinar with their teams or colleagues, then a recording of the event as well as a copy of the slides are available for download. The presenters’ – Shailee Howard and Jenny Beresford-Jones – contact details are on the last slide in the deck should you wish to pick up directly with them.

ENVIRONMENT

 USS has this week announced its ‘ambition’ to Net Zero investments by 2050, “if not before”, via a blog post on its website. David Russell, Head of Responsible Investment at USS, explains the progress that has already been made, and why the fund is making the decision now. The announcement comes over increasing coverage of the impact of Pension Fund investment on the climate crisis. Meanwhile, there’s news that UK supermarkets have joined to warn Brazil they could cease trading with the country over its latest land use law, which could legitimise illegal deforestation of the Amazon.

Colleagues at AUDE (the Association of University Directors of Estates) are hosting a training course covering Carbon Literacy in conjunction with EAUC (the Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education). This is also available to BUFDG members, but unfortunately the course has already ‘sold out’. Take a look at the details above, and let Ashley know if you would be interested in attending the next edition. That way we’ll know how soon we should make one available, and what kind of numbers we need to accommodate.

The EAUC is holding an event which will explore the role embodied carbon plays within the design of our education institutions. As well as looking at carbon negative and neutral materials, the session will explore the tools available which enable end users, architects and designers to measure the impact of products in our learning environments. The session takes place on 13 May at 14:00. If you are not a member of the EAUC and would like to join, you can sign in as a 'guest' to register your attendance.

TAX / EMPLOYMENT TAXES

 We are very pleased to announce that the annual Tax Conference is open for bookings! For this year it will once again be online over 4 days, but back to June - from 14th to 17th. The conference is aimed at tax and payroll managers/staff, and others responsible for tax in their HEI, but would be of interest to FDs and Deputy FDs, and potentially HR staff as well. We’ll be providing the usual mix of fantastic technical sessions from a great range of presenters, and we’ll also be giving you the opportunity to chat with and get to know your counterparts in other universities as well as advisers and speakers in one-to-one meetings or groups. To find out more and to book, click here.

HMRC has produced this flowchart, on Importing from & re-exporting union goods to the EU. You may find it useful when trying to decipher what options are available to you depending on whether or not goods originate or are in free circulation in the EU.

For those involved in international taxes, BDO’s latest newsletter summarising issues affecting international assignees concentrates on: Belgium’s special tax regime for foreign executives, tax fraud and properties located outside of the country; Germany’s limited taxation and tax filing requirement; Mexico’s remote work and omissions of significant tax issues; and USA’s American Rescue Plan Act and its impact on individual taxpayers, along with IRS tax filing extensions.

The CJRS will adapt to new changes from 1 May until its expected end date of 30 September 2021, following publication of the Treasury’s latest ‘direction’ on how it should operate.  Key changes include: Expanding to more employees; Reductions in support; and Calculations for variably paid employees. HMRC have also updated their guidance on CJRS to include ‘other’ types of eligible workers and expanding the information on those who are ill or self-isolating. Find out more details on the BUFDG website.

HMRC have issued the latest updates to their guidance for the reporting of expenses/benefits and the use of PAYE Basic tools, including: How to work out the benefit of a company car (480: Chapter 12); PAYE: PAYE Settlement Agreement (PSA1); Use Basic PAYE Tools to tell HMRC when an employee leaves; and PAYE: interest free and low interest loans (P11D WS4).

HMRC have issued a proposal on the reporting of non-taxable pension death payments using Real Time Information (RTI).  The proposed measure will require pension payers to report non-taxable payments made to beneficiaries following a member’s death via RTI and is expected to take effect from 6 April 2022.

All Tax and Employment Taxes news is available in full via the latest TaxHE newsletter. You can subscribe to receive the latest newsletter directly by updating your preferences on your BUFDG website account.

COUNTER-FRAUD

The Centre for Counter-Fraud Studies, based at the University of Portsmouth, is running its 2021 Annual Counter Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference on the 16^th June. It’s a free, one day, online event, although you will need to register in advance to secure access. You can find out the schedule, and register, via the CCFS website.

UKUPC has produced a great guide for suppliers to the sector which provides information on developing modern slavery and human trafficking statements. The guide covers why corporate social responsibility and responsible procurement are important as well as modern slavery statement requirements. You and your suppliers can download the guide here.

OTHER

There is still time (and places!) available to book onto our two forthcoming Business Partnering courses. The first is a foundational course, taking place across two days in late May and early June. For those with more experience, our two-day strategic level course takes place online on the 10 and 23 June.

Bookings are now open for the 2021 Annual Conference of the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA). To offer delegates even more flexibility and the option to attend a greater number of sessions, NASMA have replaced the previous 2-day format and spread conference across four days from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 June.  Further information, including the full conference schedule and online booking form, can be found on the Conference21 page of the NASMA website.

Our Job of the Fortnight is for the Finance Director position at the Royal Academy of Music. “The Director of Finance is responsible for the finance and estates departments, trading activities, legal, audit, risk management, health and safety and catering. You will also be responsible for overseeing the management of our portfolio of endowments and other investments, including the forecasting and management of liquidity requirements.” The deadline for applications is Monday 10^th May. There are lots of other jobs listed on the BUFDG jobs page.