News from Council - September 2009

STFC's Council met for a major strategy discussion on 21 and 22 September. It was Professor Michael Sterling's first meeting since being appointed Chairman in July. Welcoming Council members, Prof Sterling stressed the excellence of STFC's science and technology programme. "There is an enormous amount of truly world class research that is going on," he said. But he acknowledged ongoing "significant budget restrictions" for the research base nationally, particularly following recent political debate about the need for spending cuts.

Council considered proposals for funding from the Large Facilities Capital Fund for the Hartree and Detector Systems Gateway Centres, at the Daresbury and Harwell Science and Innovation Campuses. Council approved the submission of the two business cases to the next stage of the government's Gateway review process. Council specifically noted the large amount of work required to develop the science and business cases, and that the projects would still need to pass many approval processes, including confirmation of operational funding, before a final funding decision was made.

Council also considered proposals for LFCF bids for Phase III of the Diamond Light Source, and Phase II of Target Station Two at ISIS. Council approved these bids for the next stage of the Gateway process, again noting the need for confirmation of operational funding.

Council approved the text of STFC's proposed submission to the Government's consultation on administrative arrangements for the civil space programme, and agreed a forward meeting schedule.

The major business of the meeting was to review progress of the major science consultation exercise underway through our science advisory panels and Science Board. This consultation is to prepare for the inevitably tougher budget outcomes referred to by Prof Sterling, and to deliver on our Vision by ensuring our programme delivers maximum scientific, social, economic and international benefit to the UK. STFC has publicly stated that the consultation must, of necessity, ask tough questions about the future direction of our science and technology programme, including the balance between disciplines. In this light, a separate announcement on grants is expected within the next two weeks.

The next meeting of Council is scheduled for 27 October 2009, in London.