October10th, 2025

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Cross Party Group on Academic Staff in Universities

Chair: Mike Hedges MS

Vice Chair: Heledd Fychan MS

Minutes of Meeting 15/07/2025 – ‘AGM and Manifesto Discussion’

DATE:                            Tuesday July 15th, 2025

TITLE:                            UCU Manifesto – ‘Banking on a Better Future’

LOCATION:                     Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, Pierhead Building

TIME:                            12:30 to 13:30

In Attendance

Mike Hedges MS

Cefin Campbell MS

David Hooson (on behalf of Vikki Howells MS)

Ryland Doyle

Jamie Insole – UCU Cymru Senior Policy & Political Officer

Kieron Rees – Head of Workforce Engagement, Medr

Josh Bell – University Wales, Public Affairs Advisor

Deio Owen – President NUS Wales

Jamie Insole- UCU Cymru Policy & Political Officer

Apologies

Jenny Rathbone MS

Gareth Loydd – UCU Cymru Wales Official

Mary Van de Heuvel – representing NEU

Business

- The meeting confirmed Mike as Chair and Heledd as Vice Chair

- Mike Hedges provided a brief introduction

- Jamie Insole introduced the UCU Cymru Manifesto

- A discussion developed around low HE participation amongst Welsh learners. Josh spoke briefly about work being undertaken by university Wales

- The meeting moved on to explore opportunities for joint working and collaboration. Jamie made the point that a solution-focused task and finish method might be preferable to piecemeal working or coproduction via third parties.

- Deio concurred, broadly agreeing with caveats surrounding the composition of HE and FE NUS Branches.

- Josh identified political conferences as valuable occasions to catch up.

- Kieron questioned whether Medr was best placed to convene such discussions given its role as regulator.

- David agreed that Welsh Government could perform this role, mentioning the Ministers intent to convene a task & finish Group around the issue of participation.

- The meeting concluded