Agenda item

To consider an amendment to the Board’s constitution and terms of reference.

BARBICAN CENTRE BOARD

(Deputy Tom Sleigh)

Proposed Amendment to Terms of Reference and Term Limits

In April 2009, the Barbican Centre Board reviewed its governance arrangements. As part of this process, it was agreed to introduce term limits, whereby an individual would be restricted to a maximum continuous service term limit of three terms of three years. An unanticipated consequence of the introduction of a term limit had now arisen.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(3)(a), it is customary on City Corporation Committees for the outgoing Chair/Chairman to serve as Deputy Chair/Chairman in the year immediately following their term as Chairman, in order to use their experience and knowledge to assist the new Chair/Chairman in their role.

Unfortunately, the incumbent Chairman, who was now in the final year of his Chairmanship, was also due to complete his ninth and final year on the Board in April 2020. This would prevent him from exercising his rights under Standing Order 30(3)(a) for the year 2020/21.The Board had decided, therefore, to temporarily alter its constitution to allow for the incumbent Chairman to be eligible for a tenth year on the Board, so as to enable him to serve as Deputy Chairman for one year to support the new Chair/Chairman.

The endorsement of the Policy & Resources Committee had been sought and obtained in respect of this proposed change and the Court was now recommended to approve the amendment to the Barbican Centre Board’s Constitution and Terms of Reference, waiving the nine-year maximum service rule on a temporary basis as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Resolved – That proposed amendment to the Barbican Centre Board’s Constitution and Terms of Reference, waiving the nine-year maximum service rule on a temporary basis in respect of Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, to allow for the possibility of his extending his term on the Board for one additional year, be approved.