Records of Council

Records consist of a complete set of Council minutes and companion appendices. The Appendices include transcripts and copies of documentation discussed at Council meetings, and need to be consulted with the minute books. There are also attendance registers, rough minute books, and copies of letters read at Council meetings. Minute books may also include cross-references to Senate minutes (OCA/10/1), committee minutes (OCA/11/1, 2) and the document books (OCA/15/1).

The Council was created under the terms of the Owens College Act 1870. It served as the executive committee of the Court of Governors, and was responsible for the day-to-day government of the College. Council first met on 26 October 1870, and formally took over the residual responsibilities of the Trustees in 1871. Council was chaired by the Treasurer (a post created by the 1870 Act) with the President and Principal sitting as ex-officio members together with 12 other members (later raised to 15), including three members nominated by Senate. Council would meet monthly during term-time, but could meet at other times.

Arranged into the following subseries:

• OCA/9/1 - Minutes of Council
• OCA/9/2 - Appendices to minutes
• OCA/9/3 - Attendance registers
• OCA/9/4 - Rough minutes
• OCA/9/5 - Letters read at Council meetings.

See also the records of committees of Council (OCA/11/1-2) and the Document Books (OCA/15/1).