Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Emma Kane and Deputy Catherine McGuinness.

There were none.

To approve the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 1 July 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2015 were approved.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which set out the procedure for financial appraisals of third party entities.

Noting the financial thresholds over which appraisals would be undertaken, the Chairman observed that there would be a number of contracts which would be of significant importance to the Centre which fell below this level. He urged that appropriate prudence was taken in ensuring that key contracts of this nature also have financial appraisals requested, a sentiment echoed by the Committee. A Member also noted the previous undertaking to provide a précis of the appraisal undertaken within Committee reports, so as to give Members reassurance that due diligence had been carried out.

A Member queried a reference within the report which suggested that research officers were limited to using financial information provided, rather than being expected to pursue further information as appropriate; Members expressed concern that this would limit the efficacy of any appraisal. The Chairman commented that he recalled seeing a commitment to enabling Committees to request such further explorations to be made; the Town Clerk was asked to check that the final version of the report approved by the Finance Committee was the same as this and if any such undertaking had been provided.

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered a report of the Managing Director providing the lessons learnt from a project to migrate plant to a new Building Energy Management System, and recommending the project’s closure.

In response to a query, the Head of Projects advised that the Centre’s failure to install data points in a timely fashion ahead of the works’ scheduled start had been due to a communications gap, caused by the departure of a member of staff. It was noted that appropriate plans should be put in place to mitigate against this risk in future.

RESOLVED: that the lessons learnt be noted and, following processing of the final contractors payment, the project be closed.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) 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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) 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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2015.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2015 were approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the outstanding

actions list and noted the various updates and additions.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Managing Director providing an update on the Centre’s progress in meeting the Service Based Review targets.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer presenting the Business Review for the Period 5 Accounts 2015/16.

Report of the Director of Creative Learning.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Creative Learning summarising the financial position of the Creative Learning department’s activity in 2014/15 and 2015/16 and looking ahead to 2016/17 and beyond.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

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

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered and approved 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.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Operations & Buildings proposing a project to replace the theatre main house light dimmers and the pit theatre dimmers and control.

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

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Managing Director proposing investment to create a new retail space within the Barbican foyer.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Managing Director proposing the preferred option for the refurbishment of Level 4 of Frobisher Crescent.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Managing Director outlining the preferred options for the delivery of a number of projects to take place within the Concert Hall during 2016.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee considered a report of the Managing Director providing the lessons learnt from a project to refurbishment Garden Room, Conservatory and Conservatory Terrace, and the Level 3 Toilets, and recommending the project’s closure.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Operations & Buildings providing an update on the status of all ongoing projects across the Barbican campus.

There was one question.

Director of Audiences & Development

The Chairman noted that this would be the Director of Audiences & Development’s last meeting before her departure to take up post as the new Managing Director of the Welsh National Opera. He took the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude on behalf of the Committee for the outstanding work she had delivered during her tenure and wished her good luck in her new role.