Council statement on Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 (CSR07)

At its meeting on 2 November STFC Council considered its CSR07 settlement.  The settlement contained an increase for full economic cost and support for the costs associated with the closure of the SRS, otherwise it represented an essentially flat cash allocation.

While the settlement will enable the Council to pursue much of our planned programme, the costs of running the STFC will increase not just with inflation but also due to the increased costs of operating some new major facilities.  The consequence is that with other minor adjustments the STFC is looking at a deficit of about £80m in its existing programme over the CSR period.

In moving forward the Council reaffirmed that its strategy will continue to be guided by four key principles which it believes are at the heart of its mission and the rationale for creating the Council. They are:

• the highest quality science and technology, with investment focussed on enabling access to world-class facilities and the delivery of key technologies which will underpin science advances and technology transfer;
  
  
• a healthy and vibrant university community to exploit these facilities and technologies;
  
  
• international impact and credibility, recognising the increasing scope and need for international collaboration;
  
  
• increased economic impact particularly through the development of the Harwell and Daresbury Science and Innovation Campuses with public/private partnership investment enabling greater interaction with and between universities and industry across the science and engineering base.

Council also reaffirmed that a major restructuring of its activities is necessary to provide a sound foundation for the next decade and to create headroom for new opportunities, crucial to the continued vibrancy and competitiveness of its research community.

Given the settlement this process of restructuring will now be accelerated. Some tough decisions will have to be made and in some cases relatively quickly. The Council has asked the executive to come forward with detailed plans in consultation with its Science Board and the PALS and PPAN Committees.

Council recognises that the restructuring of our activities will impact on both our research community and our staff but believes it will put us on a stronger footing for the future. We will aim to reach decisions and remove uncertainty as soon as is possible.

Professor Keith Mason
Chief Executive
Science and Technology Facilities Council