Issue - meetings

Extension of the Term of Office of the Chair of the Management Committee of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum

The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (charity Number 306288) is going through a highly complex governance change which was started in 2018 and will require an Order of State through Parliament to complete. Through the prolonged and complex process, Professor Stuart Bartholomew has been the Chair of the Management Committee, to which Cabinet delegate the responsibility for oversight of the charity.

Professor Bartholomew was appointed in 2017 and Cabinet agreed exceptionally to appoint him for a third 3 year term because the governance change had reached a critical juncture. That further term is due to end in September 2025 and a further limited extension is advised rather than lose Professor Bartholomew’s experience as independence for the Russell-Cotes is anticipated to be achieved by 1 April 2026.

Decision:

RESOLVED that: -

(a) the Chair of the Management Committee’s term of office be extended until the transfer of the Museum to the new sole trustee is completed or for a further 3 years (whichever is soonest) to provide vital continuity at the pivotal moment in the process of externalisation.

(b) it is noted that as soon as Vesting Day is achieved the Management Committee will cease to exist and the appointment will be concluded; and

(c) it is noted that this decision will not set any precedent for this or any other BCP Council Committee.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Customer, Communications and Culture

Reason

The externalisation of the Russell-Cotes is on track to be achieved this financial year, subject to the parliamentary timetable. This long and complex project would be put at risk by changing a key individual at this moment.

Minutes:

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

Cabinet was advised that the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (charity Number 306288) is going through a highly complex governance change which was started in 2018 and will require an Order of State through Parliament to complete, and that through the prolonged and complex process, Professor Stuart Bartholomew has been the Chair of the Management Committee, to which Cabinet delegate the responsibility for oversight of the charity.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that Professor Bartholomew was appointed in 2017 and Cabinet agreed exceptionally to appoint him for a third 3 year term because the governance change had reached a critical juncture, that further term is due to end in September 2025 and a further limited extension is advised rather than lose Professor Bartholomew’s experience as independence for the Russell-Cotes is anticipated to be achieved by 1 April 2026.