Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2015/1/enacted/data.xht?view=snippet&wrap=true
Timestamp: 2018-01-18 04:18:03
Document Index: 136444268

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'ART 5', 'ART 6', 'ART 7']

Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw1) xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about student fees payable to certain institutions providing higher education; to make provision about the quality of education provided by and on behalf of those institutions and about their financial management; and for connected purposes.
(b)HEFCW must, or may, withdraw their approval of an institution’s fee and access plan.
PART 2FEE AND ACCESS PLANS
2Application by institution for HEFCW’s approval of fee and access plan
(1)The governing body of an institution within subsection (3) may apply to HEFCW for HEFCW’s approval of a proposed fee and access plan relating to the institution.
3Designation of other providers of higher education
4Period to which plan relates
6Promotion of equality of opportunity and higher education
(b)“under-represented groups”, in relation to a fee and access plan, are groups that, as at the date of the plan’s approval under section 7, are under-represented in higher education.
7Approval of fee and access plan
(b)if HEFCW’s approval of it is withdrawn by notice given under section 38 or 39, the date of the notice.
8Publication of approved plan
(1)Regulations may require the governing body of a regulated institution to publish the institution’s approved plan.
9Variation of approved plan
(1)Regulations may make provision permitting the governing body of a regulated institution to vary the institution’s approved plan.
10Limits on student fees
(a)in connection with the person’s undertaking a qualifying course, and
(b)in respect of an academic year applicable to that course, where that year begins at a time within the period specified under section 4 in the institution’s most recent fee and access plan (whether or not the plan is still in force).
(4)The institution’s most recent fee and access plan is the fee and access plan most recently approved under section 7 in relation to the institution.
(a)in a case where the institution’s most recent fee and access plan specifies a fee limit for the course and year in question, that limit;
(b)in a case where the institution’s most recent fee and access plan provides for the determination of a fee limit for the course and year in question, that limit as determined in accordance with the plan.
12Supplementary provision about compliance and reimbursement directions
16Monitoring and evaluating compliance and effectiveness: duty to co-operate
(1)The governing body of a regulated institution must ensure the provision to HEFCW of such information, assistance and access to the institution’s facilities as HEFCW reasonably require for the purpose of their functions under section 15.
PART 3QUALITY OF EDUCATION
17Assessment of quality of education
(1)HEFCW must assess, or make arrangements for the assessment of, the quality of education provided in Wales—
(a)by each regulated institution;
(b)on behalf of each regulated institution (whether by another regulated institution or by an external provider).
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), education provided outside Wales is to be treated as provided in Wales if it is provided as part of a course that is provided principally in Wales.
(3)In this Act, references to an external provider are references to a person who—
(a)is not a regulated institution, but
(b)is responsible for providing all or part of a course of education on behalf of a regulated institution.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)(b)—
(a)regulations may make provision about the circumstances in which a person is (or is not) to be treated as responsible for providing a course (or part of it);
(b)a course (or part of it) is not to be treated as provided on behalf of a regulated institution if it is provided under arrangements with that institution that were made before the coming into force of this section.
18Education of inadequate quality: general
(1)Sections 19 and 20 apply if, as a result of exercising their functions under section 17, HEFCW are satisfied that—
(a)the quality of education provided by or on behalf of a regulated institution, or
(b)the quality of a particular course of education so provided,
is inadequate or likely to become inadequate.
(2)For the purposes of this Act, the quality of education or of a course of education is inadequate if it is not adequate to meet the reasonable needs of those receiving the education or undertaking the course.
19Directions in respect of inadequate quality
(1)HEFCW may give a direction to the governing body of the institution requiring it to take (or not to take) specified steps for the purpose of—
(a)improving the quality of the education or course, or
(b)preventing the quality of the education or course from becoming inadequate.
(2)For procedural provision about directions under this section, see sections 41 to 44.
20Other measures in respect of inadequate quality
(1)HEFCW may give advice or assistance to the governing body of the institution with a view to—
(2)HEFCW may carry out, or arrange for another person to carry out, a review of any matters that they think are relevant to the quality of education provided by or on behalf of the institution.
(3)A governing body must take into account any advice given to it under subsection (1).
21Quality assessment etc: duty to co-operate
(1)The governing body of a regulated institution must ensure that a person exercising a function by virtue of section 17 or 20 is provided with such information, assistance and access to the institution’s facilities as the person reasonably requires for the purpose of exercising the function (including for the purpose of exercising any power under section 22).
(2)The governing body of an external provider must ensure that a person exercising a function by virtue of section 17 or 20(2) is provided with such information, assistance and access to the external provider’s facilities as the person reasonably requires for the purpose of exercising the function (including for the purpose of exercising any power under section 22).
(3)If HEFCW are satisfied that a governing body has failed to comply with subsection (1) or (2), they may direct it to take (or not to take) specified steps for the purpose of securing the provision of information, assistance or access as described in subsection (1) or (2) (as appropriate).
22Quality assessment etc: powers of entry and inspection
(1)For the purpose of the exercise of a function by virtue of section 17 or 20(2), an authorised person may—
24Guidance about criteria for assessing quality
(1)HEFCW may issue or approve guidance about—
(a)criteria to be applied by a person exercising a function by virtue of section 17 in assessing the quality of education;
(b)matters HEFCW will take into account in determining whether the quality of education, or of a course of education, is inadequate or likely to become inadequate.
25Committee to advise HEFCW about exercise of quality assessment functions
(1)HEFCW must establish a committee to advise them on the exercise of their functions under this Part.
(2)HEFCW may confer on the committee any other functions that they think appropriate.
(3)One member of the committee must be a person who appears to HEFCW to represent the interests of persons being provided with higher education in Wales.
(4)Of the other members of the committee—
(a)a majority must be persons who are not members of HEFCW;
(b)a majority must be persons who appear to HEFCW to have experience of, or to have shown capacity in, the provision of higher education.
(5)In appointing persons within subsection (4)(b) to the committee, HEFCW must take into account the desirability of appointing persons who are currently engaged in the provision of higher education or in carrying responsibility for its provision.
(6)Schedule 1 to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 applies in relation to the committee as it applies in relation to a committee established by HEFCW under paragraph 8 of that Schedule.
PART 4FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF REGULATED INSTITUTIONS
27HEFCW’s duty to prepare and publish Code
28Procedure for approval of Code by Welsh Ministers
29Procedure if draft Code not approved by Welsh Ministers
(b)setting out HEFCW’s reasons for the terms of the draft, and
30Procedure if draft Code approved by Welsh Ministers
(1)If the Welsh Ministers approve a draft of the first Code or of a revised Code submitted to them under section 28 or 29, they must lay the approved draft before the National Assembly for Wales.
(2)If the National Assembly for Wales resolves not to approve the draft within the 40 day period—
(a)HEFCW may not publish the draft;
(b)if the draft is of the first Code, HEFCW must submit a further draft of the first Code to the Welsh Ministers;
(c)if the draft is of a revised Code, HEFCW may submit a further draft of a revised Code to the Welsh Ministers.
(3)Before submitting a further draft of the first Code or of a revised Code to the Welsh Ministers under this section, HEFCW must carry out any further consultation they think appropriate.
(4)A further draft submitted to the Welsh Ministers under this section must be accompanied by a report—
(a)setting out HEFCW’s reasons for the terms of the draft, and
(b)giving details of any consultation carried out under subsection (3) in relation to the draft and summarising the representations received by HEFCW during the consultation.
(5)The “40 day period” means the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before the National Assembly for Wales.
(6)In calculating the 40 day period, no account is to be taken of any period during which the National Assembly for Wales is dissolved or during which it is in recess for more than four days.
(7)If no resolution is passed by the National Assembly for Wales within the 40 day period as mentioned in subsection (2), HEFCW must publish the Code in the terms of the approved draft.
(8)If a further draft is submitted to the Welsh Ministers under this section—
(a)subsections (1) to (7) apply if the Welsh Ministers approve the draft as they apply if they approve a draft submitted to them under section 28 or 29;
(b)section 29 applies if the Welsh Ministers decide not to approve the draft as it applies if the Welsh Ministers decide not to approve a draft submitted to them under section 28.
32Failure to comply with Code: general
Sections 33 and 34 apply if HEFCW are satisfied that the governing body of a regulated institution has failed, or is likely to fail, to comply with a requirement imposed by the Code.
33Directions in respect of failure to comply with Code
(1)HEFCW may give a direction to the governing body requiring it to take (or not to take) specified steps for the purpose of dealing with or preventing the failure to comply.
34Other measures in respect of failure to comply with Code
(1)HEFCW may give advice or assistance to the governing body with a view to improving the organisation or management of the financial affairs of the institution.
(2)HEFCW may carry out, or arrange for another person to carry out, a review of any matters that they think are relevant to the institution’s compliance with the Code.
35Financial management: duty to co-operate
(1)The governing body of a regulated institution must ensure that a person exercising a function by virtue of section 31 or 34 is provided with such information, assistance and access to the institution’s facilities as the person reasonably requires for the purpose of exercising the function (including for the purpose of exercising any power under section 36).
36Financial management: powers of entry and inspection
(1)For the purpose of the exercise of a function by virtue of section 31 or 34(2), an authorised person may—
(a)enter the premises of a regulated institution;
(4)A power conferred by this section may be exercised only after giving reasonable notice to the governing body of the regulated institution.
PART 5FEE AND ACCESS PLANS: WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL ETC
38Duty to withdraw approval
(1)If HEFCW are satisfied that a regulated institution is no longer within section 2(3), they must withdraw their approval of the fee and access plan relating to the institution by giving notice under this section to the institution’s governing body.
39Power to withdraw approval
(1)If HEFCW are satisfied that a condition in subsection (2) is met in respect of a regulated institution, they may withdraw their approval of the fee and access plan relating to the institution by giving notice under this section to the institution’s governing body.
(b)the governing body has persistently failed to comply with the general requirements of the institution’s approved plan or has failed to comply with a direction under section 13 (directions in respect of failure to comply with general requirements of approved plan),
PART 6NOTICES AND DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY HEFCW
41Application of sections 42 to 44
(1)Sections 42 to 44 apply to—
(a)notice under section 7(1)(b) (rejection of proposed fee and access plan),
(b)a compliance and reimbursement direction,
(d)a direction under section 19 (directions in respect of inadequate quality),
(e)a direction under section 33 (directions in respect of failure to comply with the Code),
(f)notice under section 37 (refusal to approve a new fee and access plan), and
(g)notice under section 39 (withdrawal of approval of fee and access plan).
(2)But those sections do not apply to a direction that provides only for the revocation of an earlier direction (see section 46).
42Proposed notices and directions: requirement to give warning notice
(1)If HEFCW propose to give a governing body a notice or direction to which this section applies, HEFCW must give the governing body a warning notice.
(2)The warning notice must—
(a)set out the proposed notice or direction;
(b)state HEFCW’s reasons for proposing to give it;
(c)inform the governing body that it may make representations about the proposed notice or direction;
(d)specify, in accordance with any provision made by regulations, the period within which, and the way in which, representations may be made.
(3)In deciding whether to give the notice or direction, HEFCW must take into account any representations made by the governing body in accordance with the warning notice.
(4)If, having taken those representations into account, HEFCW decide not to give the notice or direction, they must give the governing body notice of that decision.
43Information to be given with notices and directions
If HEFCW give a governing body a notice or direction to which this section applies, they must at the same time give the governing body a statement—
(a)setting out HEFCW’s reasons for giving the notice or direction,
(b)informing the governing body that it may apply for a review of the notice or direction under section 44, and
(c)including any other prescribed information.
44Review of notices and directions
(1)If HEFCW give a governing body a notice or direction to which this section applies, the governing body may (subject to any provision made as described in subsection (4)(a)) apply for a review of the notice or direction.
(2)A review is to be carried out by a person, or a panel of persons, appointed by the Welsh Ministers; and the Welsh Ministers may pay remuneration and allowances to persons appointed under this subsection.
(3)The Welsh Ministers must by regulations make provision in connection with reviews under this section.
(4)The regulations may, among other things, make provision—
(a)about the grounds on which an application for a review may be made;
(b)about the period within which, and the way in which, an application may be made;
(c)about the procedure to be followed by a person or panel carrying out a review;
(d)about steps to be taken by HEFCW following a review;
(e)for a notice or direction to which this section applies not to be treated as having been given until any steps specified in the regulations have been taken, or until any period specified in the regulations has expired.
45Directions: compliance and enforcement
(1)If HEFCW give a governing body a direction under this Act, the governing body must comply with the direction.
(2)The direction is enforceable by injunction on the application of HEFCW.
(3)If requested to do so by the governing body, HEFCW must give notice to the governing body stating whether they are satisfied that it has complied with the direction (or with a particular requirement of the direction).
46Directions: general
A direction given by HEFCW under this Act—
PART 7SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION ABOUT FUNCTIONS OF HEFCW
47Compatibility with charity law and governing documents of institutions
(1)Nothing in this Act confers power on HEFCW to require the governing body of an institution to do anything that is incompatible with—
(a)any legal obligation or legal restriction that applies to the governing body by virtue of the institution being a charity, or
(b)the governing documents of the institution.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), the governing documents of an institution are—
(a)in the case of an institution established by Royal charter—
(i)the institution’s charter, and
(ii)any instrument relating to the conduct of the institution the making or amendment of which requires the approval of the Privy Council;
(b)in the case of an institution conducted by a higher education corporation, the corporation’s instrument of government and the institution’s articles of government;
(c)in the case of an institution conducted by a further education corporation, the corporation’s instrument of government and articles of government;
(d)in the case of an institution designated under section 129 of the Education Reform Act 1988 or section 28 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, the institution’s instrument of government and articles of government;
(e)in the case of an institution not falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) that is conducted by a company, the company’s memorandum and articles of association.
48Duty to take into account importance of protecting academic freedom
In exercising functions by virtue of this Act, HEFCW must take into account the importance of protecting academic freedom including, in particular, the freedom of institutions—
(a)to determine the contents of particular courses and the manner in which they are taught, supervised or assessed,
(b)to determine the criteria for the admission of students and to apply those criteria in particular cases, and
(c)to determine the criteria for the selection and appointment of academic staff and to apply those criteria in particular cases.
49Duty to take Welsh Ministers’ guidance into account
In exercising functions by virtue of this Act, HEFCW must take into account any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.
50Annual reports
(1)As soon as possible after the end of each reporting period, HEFCW must submit a report to the Welsh Ministers on how, during the period, HEFCW have exercised their functions by virtue of this Act.
(2)As soon as possible after receiving a report under subsection (1), the Welsh Ministers must lay a copy of the report before the National Assembly for Wales.
(3)The report must comply with any requirements that the Welsh Ministers may by direction to HEFCW specify.
(4)Those requirements may include requirements as to the form and content of the report.
(5)For the purposes of this section the first reporting period is the period—
(b)ending with whichever is the earlier of the anniversary of that day, and a day specified by HEFCW in notice given to the Welsh Ministers.
(6)The subsequent reporting periods are each successive period of 12 months.
(7)The Welsh Ministers may by direction specify requirements with which notice given as described in subsection (5) is to comply (including as to form and content, and the time at which it is to be given); and notice is not to be treated as having been given for the purposes of subsection (5) unless it complies with those requirements.
51Special reports
(1)HEFCW must if directed to do so by the Welsh Ministers report to the Welsh Ministers on any of the following—
(a)compliance with section 10(1) by institutions within section 10(2) generally or by a particular institution;
(b)compliance with the general requirements of approved plans generally, or with the general requirements of a particular approved plan;
(c)the effectiveness of approved plans generally, or the effectiveness of a particular approved plan, in promoting equality of opportunity and promoting higher education;
(d)any other matters specified in the direction that relate to the promotion of equality of opportunity or the promotion of higher education;
(e)the quality of education provided by or on behalf of regulated institutions generally, or the quality of education provided by or on behalf of a particular regulated institution;
(f)compliance by regulated institutions generally, or by a particular regulated institution, with requirements of the Code.
(2)A direction under subsection (1) may specify—
(a)the form and content of a report made for the purposes of this section;
(b)when the report is to be made.
52Statement in respect of intervention functions
(1)HEFCW must prepare and publish a statement setting out how they propose to exercise their intervention functions.
(2)HEFCW—
(3)Before publishing the statement or a revised statement, HEFCW must consult—
(a)the preparation of the statement (including as to its form and content);
(b)its publication;
(c)the consultation to be carried out under subsection (3).
(5)HEFCW’s intervention functions are their functions under the following provisions—
(a)section 11 (compliance and reimbursement directions);
(b)section 13 (directions in respect of failure to comply with general requirements of approved plan);
(c)section 19 (directions in respect of inadequate quality);
(d)section 20(1) and (2) (other measures in respect of inadequate quality);
(e)section 33 (directions in respect of failure to comply with the Code);
(f)section 34(1) and (2) (other measures in respect of failure to comply with the Code);
(g)section 37 (refusal to approve new fee and access plan);
(h)sections 38 and 39 (withdrawal of approval of existing fee and access plan).
53Information and advice to be given by HEFCW to Welsh Ministers
54Other information and advice
(1)HEFCW may—
(a)identify good practice relating to the promotion of equality of opportunity and the promotion of higher education, and
(b)give information and advice about such practice to the governing body of a regulated institution, or to the governing bodies of regulated institutions generally.
(2)In exercising its functions, the governing body of a regulated institution is to take into account any information or advice given by HEFCW to it, or to governing bodies generally, under subsection (1)(b).
(3)HEFCW may provide such other information and advice as they think appropriate having regard to (among other things) their functions and those of regulated institutions.
(4)That information and advice may (among other things) relate to—
(a)the powers and duties of regulated institutions;
(b)the organisation and management of the financial affairs of regulated institutions;
(c)the effect of approval of a fee and access plan.
SCHEDULECONSEQUENTIAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISION ETC
2(1)Section 70 (assessment of quality of education provided by institutions) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), for “Each council” substitute “The Higher Education Funding Council for England”.
(3)In the title, for “Assessment” substitute “England: assessment”.
3In section 83 (efficiency studies), in the second column of the table in subsection (1B), after “An institution within the higher education sector” insert—
5In section 4 of the Education Act 1996 (schools: general), in subsection (4), at the end of paragraph (c) insert “, or
(d)a university to which an approved plan, within the meaning given in section 7 of the Higher Education (Wales) Act 2015, relates.”
6In section 140 of the Education Act 2002 (further education: general), after subsection (3) insert—
7The Higher Education Act 2004 is amended as follows.
8In section 22 (meaning of “plan” etc), in paragraph (b), for the words from “or a” to the end substitute “is a reference to a plan approved under section 34.”
9Omit sections 27 and 28.
10(1)Section 29 (supplementary provision) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), omit “or 28”.
(3)In subsection (2), omit “or 28(6)”.
(a)in the words preceding paragraph (a)—
(i)for “, the Education Act 2002 or the 2005 Act” substitute “or the Education Act 2002”;
(ii)for the words from “, the Assembly” to “for Wales” substitute “or the Higher Education Funding Council for England”;
(c)in paragraph (c), for the words from “or 28” to “Councils” substitute “imposed by the Higher Education Funding Council for England”.
(5)In the title, for “28” substitute “26”.
11(1)Section 30 (meaning of “the relevant authority”) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), omit paragraph (b) (and the “and” preceding it).
12In section 32 (general duties of relevant authority), omit subsection (4).
13(1)Section 33 (contents of plans) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2), for “In relation to England, a” substitute “A”.
(4)In subsection (4), omit “or (3)”.
(a)in the words preceding paragraph (a), omit “or (3)”;
(b)in paragraph (d), omit the words from “and” to the end of the paragraph.
(6)In subsection (6), omit “or (3)”.
(a)for the definition of “the higher amount” substitute—
(b)for the definition of “qualifying course” and “qualifying person” substitute—
(c)for the definition of “regulations” substitute—
14(1)Section 34 (approval of plans) is amended as follows.
(a)after “grants” insert “from the Higher Education Funding Council for England”;
(b)omit “or section 86 of the 2005 Act”.
(3)In subsection (7), for the words from “made” to the end of the subsection substitute “made by the Secretary of State”.
15In section 35 (duration of plans), in subsection (2) omit paragraph (b) (and the “or” preceding it).
16(1)Section 36 (variation of plans) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), omit “or a Welsh approved plan”.
(3)In subsection (2), omit paragraph (b) (and the “or” preceding it).
18Omit section 38.
19In section 39 (review of decisions)—
(a)in the words preceding paragraph (a), for “, 37(3)(b) or 38(3)(b)” substitute “or 37(3)(b)”;
(b)in paragraph (b), omit sub-paragraph (ii) (and the “or” preceding it);
(c)in paragraph (c), omit “or the Assembly”.
20Omit section 40A (provision of reports etc by relevant authority in relation to Wales).
22In Schedule 14 to the Education Act 2005 (amendments relating to the training of the school workforce), omit paragraphs 27 to 29.
23In Schedule 11 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (transitional provisions), in paragraph 35—
(a)in sub-paragraph (3), in Table 1 omit the entry relating to section 33(3)(a)(ii) of the Higher Education Act 2004;
(b)in sub-paragraph (4), in Table 2 omit the entries relating to sections 30(1)(b) and 38(2) of that Act.
24The Education Act 2011 is amended as follows.
25(1)Section 77 (limit on student fees: part-time courses) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2), at the end insert “by regulations made by the Secretary of State”.
26(1)Schedule 5 (abolition of the TDA: consequential amendments) is amended as follows.
(2)Omit paragraphs 21 and 22.
(3)In paragraph 23, omit paragraphs (a) and (b).
(4)Omit paragraph 27.