Issue - meetings

The Russell-Cotes Management Committee has been reviewing the governance arrangements of the Russell-Cotes since 2018 to address the compromised arrangements in place which materially impact on the charity’s ability to deliver its objectives.

The Russell-Cotes now has clarity on the governance changes needed and a clear business plan which sets out a 10 year strategy.  The Charity Commission has agreed that the changes are in the best interests of the Russell-Cotes and has invited BCP Council as sole trustee to apply to them for a parliamentary scheme to change the Sole Trustee.

A draft Cabinet/Council Report and Business Plan have been drafted for formal submission to BCP Council.  These outline the case for change, seek agreement to implement the governance changes required and make the request for financial support to the new sole trustee.  Input from Management Committee members is sought to ensure that they agree with the argument and proposals presented, they support the level of financial request to be made,  and they endorse the decision to proceed.

Exempt Report as defined in Paragraph 3 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Museum Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Russell-Cotes Management Committee had been reviewing the governance arrangements of the Russell-Cotes since 2018, to address the compromised arrangements in place which materially impact on the charity’s ability to deliver its objectives.

The Russell-Cotes now had clarity on the governance changes needed and a clear business plan which set out a 10-year strategy.  The Charity Commission agreed that the changes were in the best interests of the Russell-Cotes and invited BCP Council as sole trustee, to apply to them for a parliamentary scheme to change the Sole Trustee.

A draft Cabinet/Council Report and Business Plan have been drafted for formal submission to BCP Council.  These outline the case for change, seek agreement to implement the governance changes required and make the request for financial support to the new sole trustee.  Input from Management Committee members was sought to ensure that they agreed with the argument and proposals presented, they supported the level of financial request to be made,  and they endorsed the decision to proceed.

It was explained that further consultation may need to be carried out, to help secure NHLF funding and to meet the requirements of the Charity Commission. 

The Monitoring Officer had signed-off this report from a legal point of view.  The essential financial information would be needed before the report could be signed off by Finance, before then going to Cabinet for consideration. 

It was highlighted that the timetable of the whole process may be influenced by how quickly it could be agreed by the Charity Commission.

It was discussed that any consultation must be conducted across as many organisations as possible, across Bournemouth.

It was discussed and agreed that the application to the charity commission needed to be submitted by Spring 2023.  If this deadline was not achieved, it would be difficult to judge what may be the outcome post May 2023. 

It was suggested that a working group of the Committee be formed to work with the Museum Manager to update the risk register.  The risk register would need to include actions in the active tense, with timings and who would be the lead. 

RESOLVED that:

The Management Committee reviewed:

a)     the draft Cabinet/Council report on externalization of the Russell-Cotes;

b)    the draft 10-year Financial Model;

c)     provide any comments, changes and advice on the contents, financial request and strategy outlined; and

d)    The Management Committee agreed to progress the revised Report and Financial Model and present them to Cabinet and Council in due course.

Voting: Unanimous