Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Gregory Moore
tel. no.: 020 7332 1399  Email: gregory.moore@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Tom Hoffman.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

Trevor Phillips declared an interest in respect of item 6 as some of the data analytics used had been provided by his company.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3a

Minutes pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To approve the public minutes and summary of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 21 September 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3a

Minutes:

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 21 September 2016 were approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

3b

Minutes of the Finance Committee pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To receive the draft public minutes and summary of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 8 November 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3b

Minutes:

The draft public minutes of the meeting held on 8 November were received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

3c

Minutes of the Risk Committee pdf icon PDF 133 KB

To receive the draft public minutes and summary of the Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 8 November 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3c

Minutes:

The draft public minutes of the meeting held on 8 November were received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

4.

Outstanding Actions of the Board pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the outstanding actions list and noted the various updates and additions. The forthcoming workplan for Board meetings in 2016 and 2017 was also noted.

 

RECEIVED.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Management Report by the Centre's Directors pdf icon PDF 417 KB

Report of the Managing Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas.

 

In response to Members’ queries, it was clarified that the refurbishment of the “super-loos” was expected to be completed in the New Year, following the delivery and installation of a number of modesty panels. It was also noted that the newly appointed Director for Operations & Buildings, Jonathon Poyner, would be joining the Barbican in January from the Wales Millennium Centre.

 

Members discussed the government’s recent decision to withdraw funding associated with the development of a business plan for the Centre for Music. Whilst this was understandably disappointing, the Managing Director reminded Members that the Centre for Music project had emerged prior to any government involvement and was not dependent on it. Conversations would now be had to explore possible routes forward and any request for further City Corporation funding for any aspect of the project would be subject to the normal approvals process.

 

RECEIVED.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Diversity and Inclusion Update pdf icon PDF 210 KB

Report of the Head of HR.

(N.B. To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Item 13).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Head of HR which provided an update on diversity and inclusion initiatives over the last year and detailed the Barbican’s action plan for the coming year, focussing on the three areas of artistic programme, audiences and workforce.

 

Members were pleased to observe that action was being taken and progress being made in this area. The role of the arts in demonstrating the diversity and richness of society was highlighted as particularly important, with it urged that further thought be given in respect of programming and pricing and their potential impact in increasing the diversity of audiences. The importance of role models from different communities in encouraging participation was stressed, with it also commented that the Board should also look to itself and its leadership role in respect of diversity.

 

The Managing Director highlighted the general lack of diversity in the sector as a pressing issue for the cultural world which it was vital be addressed. The issue was of course complex and significant work would be required over time to ensure improvement; he noted that there had recently been significant discussions on this issue at the Arts Council away day. In the post-Brexit landscape, where there were likely to be further challenges associated with visa restrictions, it was important for the Barbican to seek to take the initiative and help to define the cultural identity of the City moving forwards.

 

A Member expressed their disappointment in respect of the approach to data collection, suggesting that it was outdated and overplayed peoples’ sensitivities. Commenting on the number of Barbican staff who had declined to indicate their ethnicity, it was observed that the proportion was such that it skewed the statistics and rendered the data significantly limited in respect of facilitating any meaningful analysis.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Music Presentation pdf icon PDF 373 KB

Report of the Director of Arts.

(N.B. To be read in conjunction with the non-public sections and appendix at Item 14)

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the director of Arts providing an update on performance over the past year and setting out the opportunities, challenges and plans for the coming period.

 

Members congratulated the Head of Music on a successful year, commenting particularly on the impressive array of artists who had performed during the year or were scheduled to perform at the Barbican in 2017/18.

 

Members asked a series of questions concerning the Barbican’s use of Milton Court and the relationship with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Responding, the Head of Music advised that Milton Court had not previously been used for the most appropriate performances, whether this be acoustically or in terms of audience size, and was therefore not maximising its potential. Consequently, he had been working with the Guildhall School to play to the strengths of the venue and act more collaboratively, with the results of this work now beginning to bear fruit. A number of new marketing initiatives were being explored and the role of the School’s new Principal would be key in furthering progress in this area. He confirmed that there was no conflict with the School about the usage of Milton Court, stressing that the Barbican was absolutely clear that the venue was primarily for students’ development. He outlined the progressive relationship which had been developed whereby the Barbican encouraged high-profile artists to work with students around their performances, so as to complement students’ musical education and enhance their learning experience. Members were pleased to note the strong relationship with the School, noting that there were significant benefits to both organisations accruing from the development of young talent and being able to showcase them at the Barbican.

 

RECEIVED.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

*Gateway 7 Outcome Report: Investment in Bar Operations pdf icon PDF 501 KB

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer which provided the outcome and lessons learnt from a project undertaken to bring the Barbican’s bar operations in-house.

 

RESOLVED: That the lessons learnt be noted and the project closed.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Board

Minutes:

There were none.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Any other Business that the Chairman considers Urgent

Minutes:

There were none.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Exclusion of the Public

MOTION – That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of Exempt Information, as defined in Part 1, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item No.

Paragraph No.

12a - 24

3

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12a

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 21 September 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12a

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2016 were approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12a

12b

Non Public Minutes of the Finance Committee

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 8 November 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12b

Minutes:

The draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2016 were received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12b

12c

Non Public Minutes of the Risk Committee

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 8 November 2016.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12c

Minutes:

The draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2016 were received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12c

13.

Diversity and Inclusion Update: Non-public Appendix

Non-public appendix to be read in conjunction with Item 6.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

The Board received the non-public appendix to be read in conjunction with Item 6.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Music Presentation: Non-public sections

Report of the Director of Arts.

(N.B. to be read in conjunction with the public sections and appendix at Item 7)

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Board received the non-public reports and appendix to be read in conjunction with item 7.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

LSO Annual Review

Report of the Managing Director (LSO).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), provided the Board with an update on the LSO’s activities and financial position and gave an overview of the Orchestra’s future plans.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Budget 2017/18

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

The Board considered and approved a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer presenting the draft budget for 2017/18.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

*Business Review

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer setting out the Business Review for the Period 6 Accounts 2016/17.

 

----

RESOLVED: With two hours having elapsed since the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order No. 40 the Committee agreed at this point to extend the meeting by up to thirty minutes.

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 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Development Update

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer which set out the latest fundraising results against budget.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

*SBR/ Strategic Plan Update

Report of the Managing Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Managing Director providing an update in respect of the Barbican’s Strategic Plan and Service Based Review Targets.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

*Risk Update

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer updating Members on the key risks facing the Centre and detailing the steps being taken to mitigate these risks.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

*Update on Capital Works

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

The Board considered and approved a report of the Director of Operations & Buildings providing an update on the Barbican Centre’s Capital Cap programme and a number of non-Capital Cap projects.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

*Issue Report: Level 4 (Frobisher) Refurbishment

Report of the Managing Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

The Board considered and approved a report of the Managing Director concerning issues encountered during a project to refurbish Level 4.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

*Issue Report: Retail Unit

Report of the Managing Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

The Board considered and approved a report of the Managing Director concerning issues encountered during the construction of a new retail unit at the Centre.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Barbican Projects Update

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on Red and Amber rated projects across the Barbican Centre.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Questions relating to the work of the Board

Minutes:

There were none.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Any other business the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

The Chairman informed Members of one urgent item of business, related to a recommendation of the Nominations Committee which would come to the Board in January 2017.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.