Issue - meetings

The Russell-Cotes is a charity which is managed by the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Management Committee, as the delegated sub-committee of Cabinet.  The Committee has a membership of 3 councillors who have voting rights and 4 external appointees and Sir George Meyrick who do not have voting rights.

Largely due to Covid, the renewal of the Committee membership has been subject to delays and the Management Committee is due to lose 3 of its 4 external members by October 2022.

Since 2018, the Management Committee has been exploring how to improve the governance arrangements of the Russell-Cotes to ensure that it can thrive in the long term.  It has reached a pivotal moment in this long and complicated process and over the next few months, it is anticipated that very significant decisions will need to be made on whether and how to pursue this direction of travel.

2022 is also the Centenary Year for the Russell-Cotes with increased programming, marketing and activities drawing attention locally, regionally and nationally.

At their meeting on 4 May 2022, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum Management Committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet that the Chair be given a further term of office because of these exceptional circumstances, on the basis that no precedent is set for this or any other committee.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)         agree that the Chair of the Management Committee be given a further 3 year term of office to provide vital continuity at an exceptional time for the Russell-Cotes, both externally and internally, due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic, the pivotal moment in the governance review and the Museum’s Centenary in 2022; and

(b)        note that this decision will not set any precedent for this or any other BCP Council Committee.

Voting: Unanimous

REASON

At this particular time, the progress of the move to externalisation of the Russell-Cotes is reaching a pivotal moment and it needs to retain the experience and continuity of its Chair to steer the Committee through the process to its conclusion and not risk jeopardizing the very significant work that has been undertaken internally and in consultation with key national stakeholders. Any change risks reputational damage to this key cultural organisation in Bournemouth during its centenary year when it is enjoying a higher profile.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Russell-Cotes is a charity which is managed by the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Management Committee, and as the delegated sub-committee of Cabinet the Committee has a membership of 3 councillors who have voting rights and 4 external appointees and Sir George Meyrick who do not have voting rights.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that largely due to Covid, the renewal of the Committee membership has been subject to delays and the Management Committee is due to lose 3 of its 4 external members by October 2022.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that since 2018, the Management Committee has been exploring how to improve the governance arrangements of the Russell-Cotes to ensure that it can thrive in the long term, and that it has reached a pivotal moment in this long and complicated process and over the next few months, it is anticipated that very significant decisions will need to be made on whether and how to pursue this direction of travel.

Cabinet was informed that 2022 is also the Centenary Year for the Russell-Cotes with increased programming, marketing and activities drawing attention locally, regionally and nationally.

Cabinet was advised that at their meeting on 4 May 2022, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum Management Committee agreed to recommend to Cabinet that the Chair be given a further term of office because of these exceptional circumstances, on the basis that no precedent is set for this or any other committee.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)        agree that the Chair of the Management Committee be given a further 3 year term of office to provide vital continuity at an exceptional time for the Russell-Cotes, both externally and internally, due to the impacts of the Covid pandemic, the pivotal moment in the governance review and the Museum’s Centenary in 2022; and

(b)        note that this decision will not set any precedent for this or any other BCP Council Committee.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Culture and Vibrant Places