Durham University spent over £100,000 refurbishing vice-chancellor’s flat and guest space

The university has claimed the refurbishments were delivered in a ‘cost-effective manner’

2 weeks ago | UPDATED 2 weeks ago

Durham University has spent over £100,000 refurbishing the vice-chancellor’s flat and university guest hosting space.

The latest refurbishment of the vice-chancelllor’s flat at Hollingside House cost the university £102,781.69.

A Freedom of Information request made by Palatinate revealed the cost of the refurbishments after £700,000 was spent on prior refurbishments from 2015 to 2017.

The function of Hollingside House has historically included meetings and events for business purposes, with guests including ambassadors and Common Room Presidents.

A spokesman for Durham University gave further details of the property, explaining that it is primarily used for hosting guests: “The property includes three flats, including a two-bedroom flat for the vice-chancellor, and a common public area for events. It also includes guest accommodation, enabling the university to host visiting partners and guests, and avoid the need to pay for hotel accommodation”.

Recent refurbishments included an “installation of gas and electricity meters and an upgrade of the public catering kitchen. Refurbishments were delivered in a cost-effective manner through using in-house project management and design services including the principal designer”.

A new bathroom was also installed, alongside a kitchen and a newly decorated first floor flat wherein the vice chancellor resides. Whilst the six months of refurbishments were taking place, Durham contributed £4,000 towards the private rent of the vice chancellor.

Financial reports from the university show that the total emolument of the vice chancellor increased to £353,000 in the 2022/2023 academic year, an increase of £10,000 from 2021/2022. Reasonings for this can be due to the increasing estimated rental value of the flat, with a 86 per cent increase in value to £14,000 from the £12,000 estimation in the previous academic year.

The £290,000 salary of the vice chancellor has remained unchanged from 2021, with his total pay being 11.29 times as much as the median pay of Durham staff. As of last year, the ratio of head of institution pay to the median was 11.

Accommodation is widely provided for staff members within the university, with heads of colleges and their families having accommodation provided in their contracts. However, this is not the case for staff on lower salaries; college sabbatical officers are offered accommodation, yet this must be paid for.

A spokesman for the university said:“The property includes three flats, including a two-bedroom flat for the vice-chancellor, and a common public area for events.

“It also includes guest accommodation, enabling the university to host visiting partners and guests, and avoid the need to pay for hotel accommodation.

“The recent refurbishment of Hollingside House included required works such as the installation of gas and electricity meters and the upgrade of a public catering kitchen. It was delivered in a cost-effective manner through the use of in-house project management and design services, including the principal designer.

 “The salary of the vice-chancellor and senior executives is independently set by the Remuneration Committee of University Council.

“All university staff received the nationally agreed cost-of-living increase in pay during this period.

“The vice-chancellor donates any merit pay award made to the Student Hardship Fund.”

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