About LUU

The Union building is located in the heart of the University of Leeds campus. Our address is: Lifton Place, Leeds, LS2 9JT.

All the cash we generate from the shops, bars, club nights and events is used to fund all the great things the Union has to offer including a free Advice Centre, Student Activities, and your own radio, newspaper and TV station. It's not that we don't make a profit, because we do. It's what we do with it that's the difference. The extra money we make gets ploughed back into running the Union for our members.

 

 

Leeds University Union receives a grant each year from the University of Leeds.  We also use money generated from the shops, bars, club nights and events to fund development and upkeep of the building, offering members a range of free or reduced rate service. We are a 'Not For Profit' organisation.
 

We are independent from the University. However, we do work very closely with them and they provide us with funding as we are a key part of campus life. The Union ensure that our members get the best deal possible out of their fees while at the University of Leeds.

 

Background Information about the Governance Changes and Union Plan, Referendum 2009

 

The following four FAQs are specific to questions that you might have in regard to the changes to the Union's Governance and Plan going to Referendum in November 2009.

 

What does the Charities Act 2006 mean for Leeds University Union?

Quite simply it means that we have to register as a charity. This is because students unions are now regulated by the charities commission. LUU, up to now, has been defined as an unincorporated association. "Association" means that we are an organisation consisting of a group of people who have decided to work together in furthering what the organisation is established to do, and who participate in its administration.

"Unincorporated" means that the organisation is not incorporated as a company. Because the organisation is unincorporated, we cannot undertake investments in our own name nor do we have limited liability. That liability currently lies with the Board of Trustees on an individual basis. Following advice from independent solicitors and financial advisors we are proposing that Leeds University Union becomes a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Union would continue to be a not for profit organisation, and students would not see any change in the way that the Union is currently governed or funded.

A company limited by guarantee can make profits but they have to be reinvested in the operation of the charity. This allows the company to register as a charity with the Charity Commission which we must now do. This fits extremely well with the operations of LUU and would allow us to retain our not for profit, just for students status. We have taken independent advice and this is the most tax efficient way to run the business operation of the Union, ensuring that our members get the benefit of the money that is spent in our shops, bars and nightclubs.

Another benefit of becoming a company limited by guarantee is that trustees of the Union (including the Student Executive Committee) would be better protected. This is because all contracts (employment contracts, buildings or property leases and agreements, service or product provider contracts, fund raising contracts etc) would be entered in to by the new company rather than by the trustees as individuals. This provides protection for the Board of Trustees but maintains their duties as directors of the company to run the operation in line with company law, charity law, the education act and the memorandum of understanding between the University of Leeds and Leeds University Union.

If you have any comments on this please let us know via the Your Comments scheme before 19th October 2009.

What are the Memorandum and Articles?

The Memorandum and Articles form the governing document of Leeds University Union.  These rules outline the Union's legal status and how governing decisions are made.  You can download the proposed new Memorandum and Articles which will form LUU as a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee.

Download the proposed new Memorandum and Articles of Association (pdf).

 

What are we delegating to two student officers?

The two student officer trustees are  members of the student executive who also serve as trustees on the LUU board. They will execute a transfer deed and such other documents as are necessary to give effect to the Transfer.

 

What does this Transfer mean legally?

 Provided that the Trustees are satisfied that all legal formalities have been complied with, the Trustees may pursuant to Article 6.24 of the Union’s existing constitution transfer before December 2010 all of the assets and undertaking of the Union (subject to its liabilities) on such terms as the Trustees reasonably see fit to the new structure (“the Transfer”). The Trustees may delegate the exercise of this power and the execution of the transfer agreements and arrangements to any two officer Trustees, who may agree the date of the Transfer (provided it is before December 2010) and the terms of the Transfer.

 

The Union building is open all year round. Opening times are Monday to Saturday, 8.35am to 11.45pm, and Sunday, 2.00pm to 11.45pm. This may vary out of term time. For opening times of LUU's services, shops and bars please see the Contact Us page.