Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVE6J1rtAbc

Contact: Leanne Murphy
tel. no.: 020 7332 3008  Email: leanne.murphy@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Wendy Hyde, Wendy Mead, Lucy Musgrave, Jenny Waldman and the Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell.

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

2.

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 

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

3.

Public Minutes pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the Barbican Centre Board meetings held on 6 and 19 May 2021.  

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The public minutes and non-public summary of the Barbican Centre Board meetings held on 6 and 19 May 2021 were approved as an accurate record.

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

4.

Management Report by the Centre's Directors pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Report of the Managing Director.

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

Minutes:

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 was delighted the restrictions were lifted and the Centre was able to carefully welcome visitors back in a safe but gradual reopening. The aim continued to ensure the public felt confident and secure at the Centre.

 

·         It was noted that free movement for residents was available at Frobisher Crescent and the Barbican’s restaurants were reopening.

 

·         It was noted that all three shows in the Concert Hall had sold out.

 

·         Members were invited to join the Digital Team’s fortnightly update meeting.

 

·         It was confirmed that the Centre was open and safe, staff were fully trained, well prepared and planning for all scenarios with risk assessments.

 

·         Members were advised that 71% of the budget target had been achieved four months into the financial year and the Trusts & Grants team aimed to succeed this target.

 

·         A tribute to the late Sir Roger Gifford was made who was a patron and passionate about the Barbican.

 

·         In response to a question concerning future digital ambitions, Members were advised that the ambitions were huge and fundamental to everything going forward. The Team were looking to create a specific department to accelerate these ambitions and concrete options.

 

RESOLVED, that the Committee endorse Management’s approach to the future activities of the Centre.

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

5.

Barbican Renewal Brief

The Chief Operating & Financial Officer to be heard.

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

Minutes:

The Board noted a verbal update of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer regarding the Barbican Renewal Brief.

 

Members were advised that the original brief planned to go ahead July, but it was decided it needed to be made stronger and a design council had been appointed to review the brief including sustainability. It was agreed this would go ahead in September.

 

A Member enquired if the project was a rescoping of the current envelope or a full renewal of the structural envelope. The Chair confirmed that the project was not enlarging the footprint but would make the existing structure more dynamic for the future, with many interesting interventions being looked explored. The brief was carefully designed to give architects the key themes of sustainability, inclusivity, commercial need, etc. The Managing Director confirmed that Officers were committed to consulting with residents regarding the implications of the brief. A Member suggested considering the outdoor spaces and connectivity to the rest of the Barbican Estate and district as being within the envelope.

 

A Member recommended including EDI input and expertise. Officers confirmed the brief was early in the design process and experts would work with the design group.

 

Another Member hoped to see wider partnerships and engagement with not just existing organisations but also smaller organisations at grassroots level. Officers agreed they needed to reach out to all diverse communities, and this would be included in the brief.

 

 

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

6.

Informal Working Groups Update

The Chair and Chief Operating & Financial Officer to be heard.

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

Minutes:

The Board noted a verbal update of the Chair, Chief Operating & Financial Officer regarding the Barbican Renewal Brief.

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

7.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

8.

Any other Business that the Chairman considers Urgent

Minutes:

The Town Clerk read the following thanks to the Managing Director on behalf of the Chair:-

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: THAT the Members of this Board take great pleasure in expressing to Sir Nicholas Kenyon their sincere gratitude and appreciation for the dedication he has shown in all aspects of work of this Board, and the as Managing Director of the Barbican Centre during the last fourteen years.

 

During a time of increasing funding pressures for the arts, his keen financial acumen and eye for detail has been invaluable in balancing the artistic activities of the Centre with the transformation of the Barbican into a more commercially-minded organisation, generating significant income to ensure that the Centre can flourish as a world-class multi-arts centre in a new funding environment.

 

Most recently, Sir Nicholas has helped steer the Board and the Centre through the most difficult months of the pandemic. In addition, under his leadership, he has implemented several pieces of new strategic thinking, including a revised Strategic Plan, strategies for each of the art forms and for Creative Learning across the Barbican and Guildhall School, a new International Strategy, new funding models and an Arts and Learning Civic Strategy.

Key capital projects that have been approved and executed include those around fire, health and safety, and the refurbishment of Level 4, with others currently in train, most notably the Barbican Renewal Project which would transform the Barbican for the future and be a substantial legacy.

 

Other highlights include his crucial role in Culture Mile, bringing together the City's cultural offerings into a cohesive and more effective composite offering for all, and his involvement in successful shows and exhibitions including Basquiat and Hamlet to name a few.

 

Finally, colleagues on the Board wish to convey their huge thanks to him for his extremely

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

9.

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 9.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

10.

Non-Public Board Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 19 May 2021.

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

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 19 May 2021 were approved as an accurate record.

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

11.

Updates from the Sub-Committee Chairs

The Chairs of the Finance & Risk Committee and Nominations, Effectiveness & Inclusion Committee to be heard.

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

Minutes:

The Board noted a verbal update of the Chairs of the Finance & Risk Committee and Nominations, Effectiveness & Inclusion Committee concerning updates for the Sub-Committee Chairs.

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

12.

Terms of Reference of HR Audit and External Review following allegations of racism at the Barbican Centre

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Terms of Reference of the HR Audit and External Review following allegations of racism at the Barbican Centre.

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

13.

Barbican Equality and Diversity Action Plan

Report of the Managing Director.

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

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Managing Director in relation to the Barbican Equality and Diversity Action Plan.

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

14.

Arts, Learning & Communities (Creative Vision)

Presentation – the Director of Arts & Learning to be heard.

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

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation of the Director of Arts & Learning regarding Arts, Learning and Communities (Creative Vision).

 

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

15.

Security Enhancements/Security Cross Cutting - Guildhall, Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court & Mansion House

Report of the City Surveyor.

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

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the City Surveyor concerning cross cutting security enhancements across Guildhall, Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court and Mansion House.

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

16.

Barbican Business Plan Performance Indicator Dashboard

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

 

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

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer regarding the Barbican Business Plan Performance Indicator Dashboard.

 

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

17.

Covid-19 Situation Update

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

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

Minutes:

The Board received an update of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer regarding the COVID-19 Situation.

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

18.

Visual Arts Update

Report of the Director of Arts & Learning.

(N.B. – the appendices have been circulated separately in the Information pack)

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

Minutes:

The Board received a report of the Director of Arts & Learning concerning the Visual Arts.

 

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

19.

Non-public questions relating to the work of the Board

Minutes:

There were no questions in non-public session.

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

20.

Any other business the Chairman considers urgent whilst the public are excluded

Report of the City Surveyor.

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

Minutes:

There was one item of business.

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