Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Tobi Ruth Adebekun, Deputy Edward Lord, Wendy Hyde, Deputy Graham Packham, Jens Riegelsberger and Irem Yerdelen.

None.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 21 April 2022 appointing the Board and setting its Terms of Reference.

The Board received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 20 April 2022 for the Barbican Centre Board.

To elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Board proceeded to elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. Tom Sleigh, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was therefore duly elected as Chair for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

RESOLVED, that – Tom Sleigh be elected Chair of the Barbican Centre Board for the ensuing year.

To elect one Deputy Chair (Member) in accordance with Standing Order 30 and one Deputy Chair (external) in accordance with a convention adopted by the Board on 24 March 2021.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. Alderman Sir William Russell, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Board proceeded to elect a Deputy Chair (External Member) in accordance with a convention adopted by the Board at its meeting on 24 March 2021. The Town Clerk advised that one expression of interest for the role of Deputy Chair (External Member) had been received. Tobi-Ruth Adebekun, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chair (External Member) for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED, that – Alderman Sir William Russell and Tobi-Ruth Adebekun be elected as Deputy Chairman and Deputy Chair (External Member) for the ensuing year.

To approve the public note of inquorate meeting and non-public summary of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 17 February 2022.

The public note and non-public summary of the inquorate meeting held on 17 February 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the appointment of its various Sub Committees for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED, that – Members:

• Approve the Terms of Reference of the Board’s Sub-Committees;
• the Composition of the Board’s Sub-Committees;
• Appoint the Membership to the Sub-Committees for the year ensuing as follows:

Finance and Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board

Tijs Broeke (Chair)

Tom Sleigh

Alderman Sir William Russell

Randall Anderson

Ann Holmes

Nominations, Effectiveness & Inclusion Committee of the Barbican Centre Board:

Tom Sleigh

Tobi-Ruth Adebuken

Mark Page

Edward Lord

Jane Roscoe

Randall Anderson

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk relative to an update on the Board Effectiveness and Governance Report.

The Chair requested that officers return to the Board with suggestions on how to improve the operations of the Working Groups.

The Deputy Chairman (Elected Members) raised the subject of term limits for Board Chairs. He said that the Lisvane Review had recommended greater autonomy for Boards, and that he felt the current three-year term limit was too short for the Barbican Centre Board. He proposed that the term limit be extended to a four-year one. Members agreed that a four-year term limit would be suitable, as it would align the Board more closely with other arts institutions. It was also proposed that the current Chair be granted a one-year extension to his term limit, so that he could serve a four-year term. A Member said that there were several other recommendations in the Lisvane Review that it would be helpful to consider.

A Member said the rules for quorum should be considered. The Chair requested that officers return with options on this.

RESOLVED, that – Members agree that:

• the term limit for Chairs of the Barbican Centre Board be changed from three years to four years
• the current Chair of the Board be granted an extra year so that they will serve a four-year term
• a wider paper considering changes to the Board’s terms of reference be brought back to the Board

Report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing updates from the Barbican Directors on their respective areas.

A Member congratulated the Barbican Centre on winning the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award at the London Tourism Awards

2022 in March.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings.

Members received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings providing an update on the live projects.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other 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 note of inquorate meeting of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 17 February 2022.

The non-public note of the inquorate meeting held on 17 February 2022 was agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Artistic Director.

Members received a report of the Artistic Director providing an update on the Artistic Programming Strategy.

Report of the Director of Development.

Members received a report of the Director of Development providing an update on development.

Report of the Artistic Director.

Members received a report of the Artistic Director relative to the Arts Council England National Portfolio extension and applications.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on the EDI and HR Audit action plan.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on the Barbican Business Plan.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on the Barbican Business Review.

Report of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Operating & Financial Officer providing an update on Barbican Renewal.

Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings.

Members received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings relative to the measurement of customer satisfaction and the Mystery Shopper Summary.

Report of the Director of Operations and Buildings.

Members received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings providing an update on the risk management system at the Barbican Centre.

Report of the Artistic Director.

Members received a report of the Director of Operations and Buildings providing an update on controversial programming risks.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk providing an update on decisions taken between meetings.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There were no non-public questions.

There was no non-public business.

To agree the confidential note of inquorate meeting of the Barbican Centre Board meeting held on 17 February 2022.

The confidential note of the inquorate meeting held on 17 February 2022 was agreed as a correct record.

Report of the CEO, Barbican Centre.

Members received a report of the CEO of the Barbican Centre providing an update on the Barbican Centre’s progress on delivering the Target Operating Model.

Report of the Joint Interim Managing Directors.

Members received a report of the Joint Interim Managing Directors relative to a procurement breach waiver.