B Ballot - a poll of the Regent House on a motion put before it. Ballots take place by post, if called for by ten members of the Regent House, under prescribed procedural rules. He has statutory duties, the principal public one in modern times being conferment of honorary degrees. Congregation - a meeting of the Regent House for the formal conduct of certain items of University business. Congregations take place in the Senate House about 12 times per year, and business includes admission to degrees.
Special congregations take place from time to time, eg. for the conferment of honorary degrees.
They have responsibility for all University business apart from that relating directly to its teaching and research programme. They are the formal link between the University and Colleges. They are also responsible for University planning. They allocate resources to the General Board for educational purposes as well as to institutions under their supervision. The Council are also responsible through the Finance Committee for accounting, budgeting, and control of investments, and, through the Estate Management and Building Service, for property management.