Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Gerard Grech and the Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alderman William Russell.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes and summary of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 22 July 2020.

The public minutes and summary of the Board meeting held on 22 July 2020 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft public minutes and summary of the Finance & Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 7 September 2020. (TO FOLLOW)

To receive the public minutes and summary of the Nominations Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 22 July 2020.

The public minutes of the Nominations Committee meeting held on 22 July 2020 were received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board noted the various outstanding actions and the updates provided thereon. The workplan for Board meetings in 2020/21 was also noted.

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:

·         The Managing Director stated that this was an important moment for the Centre as it worked to gradually reopen to the public and gain public confidence. Thanks was given to all staff that had worked tirelessly to make the building safe and to the City Corporation for their continued help and support throughout.

·         A recent public survey reported that 95% of attendees felt safe at the Centre which had now raised to 97/8%. The Managing Director regarded this as an important step for culture and showing the Barbican as a big contributor in bringing people back to the Square Mile.

·         With regards to the cinemas, it was noted that Cinema 1 viewings would increase to two viewings a day from Friday. Cinemas 2 and 3 were planned to reopen in November.

·         Members were advised that the normally split classical and contemporary offer would now be brought together to provide a stronger programme.

·         Members were encouraged to attend the Leytonstone Loves Film event which began today and would last for three weeks delivering screenings, workshops and talks both live and online.

·         Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer opens on 7 October in Barbican Art Gallery.

·         Cross-departmental thinking continues to take place looking at how the narrative of their work was shared and what more could be done to sell the Barbican’s story and fundraise.

·         The new 12 month creative learning programme has launched and been well received.

·         Creative Learning took part in the virtual London Careers Festival on 29 June 2020, with a Q&A targeted at the post-16 age group discussing careers in the arts. On the discussion panel were a range of Barbican staff, with representation from Art

Report of the Town Clerk. (TO FOLLOW)

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning a review of the composition and Terms of Reference for the Barbican Centre Board. The following comments were made:

·         The Chair gave context for the report, the aim of which was to make the Board the best it could possibly be and resolve any unclarity within the terms of reference. This would work alongside the recommendations of Lord Lisvane’s Governance Review, open up conversations and dovetail into the wider review work to come.

·         A Member did not feel that the City Corporation representation should be in the majority which would align better with other arts organisations. It was noted that this had been discussed previously for this Board and other City Corporation arts and culture Boards and the decision by Court had always been that Court Members should be the majority.

·         Another Member added that it was conceivable to move away from a majority of Court Members; however, the Centre would need to accept that the City Corporation was no longer the “bank of last resort”. Members agreed that there was a trade off between the benefits and disadvantages and it was acknowledged that the Corporation would be put in a very difficult position if there were financial difficulties in the future. Members ultimately agreed that without a clear alternative strong source of funding available to replace the City Corporation, the Court Members should keep its majority.

·         It was accepted that the report was not asking for a loss of City Corporation control, it was advocating for membership with artistic experience. It was agreed that the Board’s membership needed relevant expertise and increasing the number of external members would achieve this. 

·         A Member felt that more time was needed for Members to consider the profound implications of the report and

Joint report of the Head of HR, Interim Artistic Director and Director of Innovation and Engagement.

The Board considered a joint report of the Head of HR, Interim Artistic Director and Director of Innovation and Engagement providing the annual Equality and Inclusion update on the work underway to develop a new strategy for 2020 onwards.

The Chair highlighted the paramount importance of the subject now more than ever and wanted the Barbican and Board to be as inclusive as possible.it was acknowledged that whilst lots of work was happening, there was still more to do.

Officers confirmed a successful Equalities and Inclusion Subgroup meeting took place last week and the next steps would be to take forward the short-term actions of the report. This included ensuring there were safe forums, support for any incidents or microaggressions, increased conversations and dialogue across all staff members building trust and key training for Heads. A Task & Finish Group would also be set up shortly with terms of reference that were not oversubscriptive to assist but allow ownership.   

A Member stated that the right balance was needed to steer the process an ensure staff were given agency to inform policies and ensure things were done differently in future.

In response to a query asking for a timeline, Officers confirmed the Taskforce would hopefully be established in the next two weeks and the recommendations completed by the end of 2020. A new Equality and Inclusion group would be established to hold the Centre to account. It was noted that the Centre would also coordinate with the City Corporation’s broader efforts and the Tackling Racism Taskforce.

A Member was keen to engage and consult in the process and was invited to join the Taskforce.

RESOLVED – That Members review the information presented.

Oral update – the Managing Director to be heard.

The Board received an oral update of the Managing Director concerning the Barbican Centre’s preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit.

Members were informed that key risks of concern included movement of people which in the short term was being mitigated by creatives being allowed to attend the country for 90 days without a visa. However, in the long term, this could become a more significant issue and hinder the UK’s creativity. Officers also noted inclusivity concerns and a worrying reported rise in racism and hostility throughout Europe.

Officers identified movement of product as the highest concern which was difficult to resolve as the rules for the new customs system were changing on a daily basis. Extra bureaucracy and measures coming in would lead to freight delays at ports and increased admin. The Centre was also focussed on protecting its global British role within the culture and arts sector and saw its continued representation within Europe a key to this. Data transfer, catering and intellectual property were other concerns.

Members were alarmed by racism and diversity concerns and agreed a holistic approach was needed to ensure a varied portfolio and artwork, artists and audiences. The Chair felt it was particularly critical to support emerging artists despite changes brought in by Brexit. Officers confirmed they were continuing to plan for the Brexit deadline based on all eventualities and burdens including the worst case no-deal scenario.

Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings.

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

The Board received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings providing Members with an update on the Centre’s maintenance and refurbishment projects that fall under the Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) and additional projects funded from other sources.

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 22 July 2020.

The non-public minutes and summary of the Board meeting held on 22 July 2020 were approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Finance & Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 7 September 2020. (TO FOLLOW)

The draft non-public minutes of the Finance & Risk Committee meeting held on 7 September 2020 were received.

To receive the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Nominations Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 22 July 2020.

The non-public minutes of the Nominations Committee meeting held on 22 July 2020 were received.

Report of the Managing Director.

The Board considered a report of the Managing Director providing Members with an update on the Barbican’s revised Strategic Plan and Business Plan.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer providing Members with an update on the current situation for the Centre as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oral update - the Chief Operating & Financial Officer to be heard.

The Board received an oral update from the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on business planning.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings. (TO FOLLOW)

Members were advised that this report no longer needed to come to the Board and was now going through the capital bids pathway.

Report of the Director of Innovation and Engagement.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Innovation & Engagement providing Members with an update on the technology programme.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer setting out the Business Review for the August 2020 (Period 4 – 20/21) accounts.

To be read in conjunction with the report at Item _.

The Board received the non-public Projects Update appendix to be read in conjunction with item 9.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer setting out the impact of Covid-19 on the Barbican’s commercial activities, the mitigating steps being taken to minimise lost income and strategies for business recovery.

Report of the Interim Artistic Director.

The Board received a report of the Interim Artistic Director updating Members on the Programming Controversial Risk Register and the identified potential risks that occur as a result of specific programmed events and activities, as well as outlining the mitigation processes in place for each.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.