RSC Council

The RSC Council is the governing body of the RSC and the members of Council are the Trustees of the charity. Council is required to manage and be responsible for the affairs of the RSC as set out in the Charter and By-laws. The Secretary of the RSC, known as the Chief Executive Officer, works under the general direction of the Honorary Officers and is responsible for the management of the RSC and its staff.

Council has set itself the task of ensuring that it operates at a strategic level, keeping abreast of national and global issues affecting the RSC's operating environment including political and economic trends, developments in science, professional practice and the business environment. It provides direction by setting and keeping under review a strategic plan and allocating resources. In addition it establishes governance structures and processes, delegates authority and monitors conformance. 

Council ensures that the RSC meets its statutory obligations and adopts good practices in its governance and management processes. Its role is strategic, not operational ie it does not look after day-to-day matters.

Evaluation of how the RSC is governed

Council regularly carries out a review of how the RSC is governed as part of its review of its own effectiveness. Changes are made periodically to the composition of Council and the committee structure. The last major review was completed in 2006 and implemented in 2007.