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Vice-chancellors have called for a rethink on proposals for an overhaul of their representative body.

They have told a working group reviewing the membership and structure of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals to report by May.

A working group discussion paper considered at a meeting in Cardiff last week proposes the creation of a UK-wide organisation, incorporating "national councils" to represent vice-chancellors in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The paper proposes that the UK body should have a president and a board of 17 members, with the national councils each electing two members to the board, one of whom would become the UK CVCP vice-president.

Scottish principals are worried that national councils might not have enough autonomy and an independent voice, whereas the Coalition of Modern Universities fears under-representation of English and modern universities.