Q4 19/20

Report Date

August 2020

We now know that the University is unlikely to have any spare room capacity whatsoever for at least the short (and possibly medium) term, due to the current pandemic. As a result, we have no real sense yet of if and when this project will be able to proceed.

Assuming the project can re-commence at some point, additional new work is likely to be needed before it can launch. As well as making sure room users following all Covid-19 guidance, it may be that we need to identify new rooms (due to space being allocated differently). This means additional new approvals are likely to be needed. Amended guidance and safety documentation will also all be needed. On the plus side, by the time the scheme launches, best practice re. the pandemic should be pretty established.

There is also still outstanding the issue of students needing to pay from their own pocket for any out of hours servitor costs but community organisations having these costs met by the University. The Community Engagement Programme Board seems clear in its direction that this inequality will need resolving before the scheme could launch.