Reports 2016-03-12

These reports are for the Board Meeting of 2016-03-12

Govcom report to board

Cycle of trustee elections and succession planning

The committee discussed a proposal to amend the Articles of Association, following approval in principle at the December board meeting. Govcom commends the proposal to the board, but without a specific recommendation as to whether co-opted terms should be two or three years. If approved by the membership at the next AGM, the changes should take effect for new board members only.

Annual board review

The annual board review will be by way of a self-evaluation questionnaire for trustees. LCR has agreed to handle the responses, to maintain individual confidentiality.

Govcom long-term planning

LCR and MM are reviewing the charity's published Article 28 policies to determine which are wholly operational and should properly be a matter for the CEO rather than for the board.

Transparency

It was agreed that this quarter's transparency score should be 3.5/5 on the basis that we have seen similar levels of transparency to those of the previous quarter. Transparency can still be improved, but it has to be noted that we have not had a communications officer in place now for some five months.

Membership of Govcom

Nick Poole has had to step down from the committee due to pressure of other work. A replacement trustee is sought.

AOB

The committee asks the board to approve the reinsertion into the Committee Member Code of Conduct of one accidentally-omitted sentence, namely:

• I will at all times comply with the Committee Member Conflict of Interest Policy.

Minutes of last Govcom meeting, for interest.