Agenda and minutes

With the consent of the Committee, the Chairman, Alderman Sir William Russell, nominated the Deputy Chair, Tobi Ruth Adebekun, to take the Chair for this meeting.

Apologies were received from Professor Jane Roscoe and Jaspreet Hodgson.

Zulum Elumogo observed the meeting virtually.

There were no declarations.

To approve the minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 5^th March 2024.

RESOLVED -  That the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 5 March 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Interim Deputy CEO, Barbican Centre.

Note: Appendices 1 – 5 are non-public and can be found under Agenda Item 9.

The Committee received a report of the Interim Deputy CEO, concerning the progress of the Barbican Centre’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and associated action plans. It was emphasised to members the importance of looking at EDI in a systemic and organisational way, and it was highlighted that the action plans reflected the breadth of contributions from different parts of the organisation.

Members acknowledged that the progress made and also what their role as Members needed to be. As such, there was acknowledgement to continue progress against maturity objectives there would need to be proactive commitment on Members part. This included taking time to reflect on how they could actively engage, and encouraging attending a version of the anti-racism training that the Barbican were developing for roll-out across the organisation. Alongside this, there was an action that an Away Day be planned to allow time for reflection and discussions about informing approaches moving forward.

Members were also reminded of the work around Zero Tolerance including the statement and subsequent training, which included how to report concerns or incidents.

It was noted that Equality Analysis report was now required for all papers to be received at the Barbican Centre Board or its sub-committees. This would ensure the appropriate EDI lens was cast on all aspects of its work.

The Interim Deputy CEO mentioned the importance of data and analytics and highlighted that the relevant teams were working to become more data informed. With regards to gathering audience survey data, for example, this was currently collected from ticketed audiences only in post-visit surveys. This received an approximate 5% response rate, which was comparable across the sector and the data was checked against other tourist venues. Part of the work on EDI was how to fill the gaps in audience data, and a questionnaire

There were no public questions.

There were no public items of urgent business.

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 1, of Schedule 12(A), 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 1, Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting previously held on 5^th March 2024.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th March 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Non-Public Appendices 1 – 5, to be read in conjunction with Agenda Item 4.

The Committee asked questions of Non-Public Appendices 1 – 5 for the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Update, under Agenda Item 4.

Report of the Interim Deputy CEO, Barbican Centre.

Note: At this juncture, the Deputy Chair (in-the-Chair), Tobi Ruth Adebekun, departed the meeting, and thus the Chairman, Alderman Sir William Russell, chaired the remainer of the meeting.

The Committee received a report of the Interim Deputy CEO, concerning updates on the People, Culture, and Inclusion portfolio at the Barbican Centre.

There were no non-public questions.

One item of non-public urgent business was raised.