Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the General Manager – Alexandra Palace on the Governance Update report and the Bespoke Code of Governance report presented to the Alexandra Palace and Park Board on 14^th October 2010.

The Committee received the reports entitled Governance Update and Bespoke Code of Governance which had been considered by the Board at it’s meeting on 14^th October 2010.

In response to the Governance Update report and the appointment of Independent Advisors to the Board, a Committee Member asked if they would be paid a salary or only expenses. Committee Members expressed concern that that  difficulties would be experienced  in recruiting Independent Advisors if a salary was not to be paid and if they were held accountable.

The General Manager informed that Committee that the Independent Advisors would not receive a salary but could claim reasonable expenses. It was hoped that the role would attract a high calibre of candidates with a passion for restoring the Palace and promoting the charity objectives. 

The Chair highlighted that there were sections of the Code of Conduct with which the Palace did not comply and suggested that rather than the words “cannot comply” a statement be included as to what steps could be taken to enable the Palace to comply in the future.  The General Manager reminded the Committee that the Code was not mandatory and that it was important not to commit the Board to activities that it could not realistically achieve.

In response to comments that Trustees appointed to the Board should have expertise in the relevant areas the General Manager reminded the Committee that the Alexandra Palace and Park Trustees were appointed by the London Borough of Haringey and emphasised the benefits of having long-standing Trustees who knew the Palace and Park well.

RESOLVED to note the Update Reports.