Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Vivienne Littlechild, Wendy Mead and Jeremy Simons.

Trevor Philips declared an interest under item 12 due to a business partnership with Webber Philips Consultancy.

To approve the public minutes and summary of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 18 February 2015.

RESOLVED – that the minutes be agreed as an accurate record.

Matters Arising:

Exhibition Hall 1 / London Film School (LFS):-

Members were informed that three conditions had to be met prior to the formal completion of the lease; one condition was that the enabling works were completed by the City Corporation. The other two related to LFS’s fundraising and planning applications. The City Surveyor agreed to consult with the Chairman and Town Clerk and produce a paper on the issues that arise if LFS did not meet their two conditions.

To receive the draft public minutes and summary of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 24 March 2015.

RESOLVED – that the draft minutes be received.

Matters Arising:

Members requested that in future all draft minute documents includes a ‘draft’ watermark.

To receive the draft public minutes and summary of the Nominations Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 18 February 2015.

RESOLVED – that the draft minutes be received.

Report of the Managing Director.

Members received a report of the Managing Director providing updates from

the six Barbican Directors on their respective areas. The Directors spoke to each update, with a number of questions asked by the Board:

A feasibility study was underway into the potential for a new concert hall and this exercise was being led by the Barbican Centre. Members agreed that better integration between the Board and the LSO was necessary and Officers should seek ways to ensure this occurs. Officers informed the Committee that consideration as being given to the introduction of joint meetings between the LSO, the Barbican Centre Board and the Guildhall School for Music and Drama.

Members noted an update regarding the Crossrail works and were informed that  the  Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Elizabeth was expected to be entering the

vicinity of the Barbican Lakeside adjacent to the Concert Hall around the

15th April followed by TBM Victoria (west bound tunnel) at the end of

April. In order to assess and measure baseline ambient noise levels within the

Concert Hall, Crossrail engineers had taken acoustic readings during the "silent" night time hours on 26th March. Further readings would be made when the TBM was passing and during the period of the constructional railway works which follow

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board were informed that the Nominations Committee of the Barbican

Centre Board had given initial consideration to the general composition and

effectiveness of the Board. Members noted the potential amendments which could enhance and strengthen the Board’s effectiveness. Discussions ensued regarding the role of external members on the Board. Members were in agreement that the external experience bought to the Board meetings by co-opted members was invaluable, and every Member of the Board should have the right to vote on matters relating to the work of the Barbican Centre.

In response to a query, Members noted that the quorum of the Board would need to be revised should the number of co-opted members of the Board be increased to read as follows: “Any X Members of the Board, a majority of whom shall be Elected Members of the Court of Common Council.” Members agreed to delegate the decision regarding quorum to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Members welcomed the introduction of a role description, as this was now a requirement for Members applying to fill non-ward vacancies on Grand Committees of the City Corporation. Members agreed that the description would need to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure Board attracted Members who had the expertise and experience to provide valuable contributions to the work of the Board.

The Town Clerk was asked to produce the report regarding the Board’s composition and circulate it to Board Members for comments, prior to it being considered by the Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED – That Members:-

· Approved the introduction of a role description for Board Members, highlighting

desirable skills and experience, when advertising vacancies to Court of

Common Council; and

· Approved an increase in the number of external Members the Board is

permitted to

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.

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 18 February 2015.

The non-public minutes of the Barbican Centre Board meeting were received.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the Finance Committee of the Barbican Centre Board held on 24 March 2015.

The draft non-public minutes of the Finance Committee meeting were received.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2015.

The draft non-public minutes of the Nominations Committee meeting were received.

Report of the Town Clerk

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

actions list and noted the various updates and additions.

Report of the Director of Arts.

The Board received a presentation regarding the Barbican Theatre.

Report of the Head of HR.

The Board received a report from the Barbican Centre’s Head of Human Resources regarding equality and diversity.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer

presenting the Business Plan Update.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer

presenting the Business Review 2014/15.

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

The Board received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer which

set out the 2014/15 fundraising results, to date, against budget.

Report of the Director of Operations & Buildings.

The Board received a 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 Board received a Gateway 3/4 report of the Director of Operations &

Buildings relative to the replacement of intelligent lighting and systems within

the Barbican Concert Hall.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk advising of two decisions taken in

accordance with urgency procedures since the last meeting of the Board.

There were no questions.

There was no urgent business.