The first Union Council of the 2017/18 academic year saw plenty of debate and discussion, as the elected representatives of the Students' Union utilised their first chance to set the direction of the organisation.

Several policies, including the Zero Tolerance policy, No Platform policy and Wednesday Afternoons policy were due to expire next week, so the renewal of these policies was top of the agenda. Following some vigorous discussion, the Union is now mandated to adopt a zero tolerance approach to sexual harrassment, to refuse to allow people who expouse racist or fascist views from speaking at Union events and to lobby the University to keep the timetable free on Wednesday afternoons so students can engage in extra-curricular activities.

Council also discussed policies relating to attendance monitoring, bike covers and disposable packaging - all of which were approved by Union Council.

If you want Council to discuss an idea you have, then you can propose a policy idea online or come along to our next Zone meetings in early December, where you can join likeminded students to discuss ideas relating to Your Union (5th December), Your Education (12th December) and Your Community (14th December). All of these events will take place in Coffee Union in The HUBS building.