Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman David Graves, Gerard Grech and Wendy Mead.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 19 September 2018.

The public minutes and summary of the Board meeting held on 19 September 2018

were approved.

To receive the public minutes of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 5 November 2018 (TO FOLLOW).

The draft public minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 5 November 2018 were received.

To receive the public minutes of the Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 5 November 2018 (TO FOLLOW).

The draft public minutes of the Risk Committee meeting held on 5 November 2018 were received.

A member noted a concern that the new catering contract had started in October 2018 and was working without formal agreement being signed and queried whether this had now been resolved. Members were advised that the implied contract when tendered was working well and they were still working to finalise a special request from one department before the contract was signed.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board noted the various outstanding actions and the updates provided thereon.

The Chairman requested that action 5 concerning the Strategic Plan remain on the actions list for the January meeting.

Concerning action 5, Members were advised that Officers had entered into conversations with the Hampstead Heath Events Team and were awaiting an offer for how they could work together on the Hampstead Heath 30 years celebration.

All other actions were complete or covered on the agenda.

Report of the Managing Director.

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas. The following comments were made:

·         It was noted that many Members were involved in the successful Informal Session of the Boards of the Barbican Centre and Guildhall School on 26 September 2018.

·         The Managing Director and Deputy Chairman represented the Board at a Digital Culture Event which was attended by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for Culture.

·         Modern Couples opened in the main gallery on 10 October with critical success. It was noted that visitor numbers were slightly under target but was expected to improve.

·         The Chairman hosted the Barbican’s first Annual Residents Reception on 30 October with a private viewing of Modern Couples and drinks reception for Barbican residents. The Chairman gave thanks to Wendy Mead for her assistance in organising the event.

·         Members were advised that a new format was being used for classical musicals and had been popular with young audiences.

·         Squish Space launched in October providing an inclusive, sensory environment full of playful ideas for under 5s and their parents/carers. This space has already received over 3,000 visitors.

·         The Barbican Box 2018/19 launched in September. The Centre was working with a number of theatre companies with the programme aiming to diversify audiences.

·         Members were advised that the new vision for Operations and Buildings was to create an environment that enables and inspires others to achieve their best. This would be achieved by providing services that were compliant, efficient and appropriate.

·         The Projects and Engineering team have continued to deliver an unprecedented level of work with fewer people following the restructure of two separate teams. A number of projects have now been delivered including works to the Hall, foyers, kitchens, Green

Joint report of the Managing Director of the Barbican Centre, the Director of Built Environment and the Assistant Town Clerk & Culture Mile Director.

The Board considered a joint report of the Managing Director of the Barbican Centre, Director of Built Environment and the Assistant Town Clerk & Culture Mile Director providing an update on the Banksy artworks, how they have been maintained to date, the public reception, associated reputational risks to the City of London Corporation and a proposed solution for the medium-term future. The following comments were made:

·         In response to a query regarding the associated costs, Members were advised that they were minor.

·         A Member queried whether there had been any further complaints from nearby residents following an email that was sent to Members. The Chairman confirmed that only one complaint had been received.    

RESOLVED – That Members:-

·         Approve the continuation of the Barbican Centre’s active management of the artwork and all associated costs;

·         Note that the Board has the right to review this position, in consultation with the wider City of London Corporation should the need arise.

Report of the Artistic Director.

The Board considered a report of the Artistic Director presenting a draft Modern Slavery statement covering the 2018/19 financial year.

The Chairman noted that the Corporation had now developed its own slavery policy which was aligned with the Barbican’s policy. The Board agreed that it made sense to adopt the current statement for the year and then completely align with the Corporation’s policy in future which would cut down on work.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Artistic Director.

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

The Board received a report of the Director of Arts providing an update on Barbican Music department’s activities and performance over the past year setting out the opportunities, challenges and plans for the coming period within the context of the Barbican’s overall vision and mission and Strategic Business Plan.

RECEIVED.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

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

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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 19 September 2018

The non-public minutes and summary of the Board meeting held on 19 September

2018 were approved.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 5 November 2018 (TO FOLLOW).

The draft non-public minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 5 November 2018 were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 5 November 2018 (TO FOLLOW).

The draft non-public minutes of the Risk Committee meeting held on 5 November 2018 were received.

To be read in conjunction with Item 8.

The Board received a non-public report of the Director of Arts providing an update on Barbican Music department’s activities and performance over the past year setting out the opportunities, challenges and plans for the coming period within the context of the Barbican’s overall vision and mission and Strategic Business Plan.

Report of the Managing Director, London Symphony Orchestra.

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.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Operations & Buildings providing Members with an update concerning the Centre for Music (C4M).

Report of the Head of HR.

The Board were advised that this report would now come to the January Board.

Joint report of the Head of HR and the Artistic Director.

The Board considered a joint report of the Head of HR and the Artistic Director. providing an update on equality and inclusion processes and the Centre’s approach

since the annual update was presented at to the Board in July.

Oral update – the Managing Director to be heard.

The Board received an oral update from the Managing Director in respect of the Exhibition Halls.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer setting out the Business Review for the 2018 Period 6 accounts.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing Members with an update on the Barbican Commercial Programme (Phase 3).

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing Members with an update on the 2019/20 Barbican budget.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing Members with an update on the review of the Barbican Development function completed by specialist agency Philanthropy Company setting out the key themes of the report and an agenda for change.

Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings.

The Board received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings providing Members with an update on the Centre’s building and refurbishment projects that fall under the Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) and additional Capital Funds for City Fund Properties Update Report (including Non-Cap and Investment projects).

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Board received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings advising Members of the risk management system in place at the Barbican, updating on the significant risks that had been identified and outlining measures for mitigation of these risks.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

Director of Operations & Buildings, Barbican/Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

The Board considered and approved a report of the Director of Operations & Buildings concerning the Change Programme.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board considered and approved a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer concerning the Facilities Update.