The Finance and Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board met on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, to review internal audit updates and the Barbican Centre's health and safety report. The committee was also scheduled to discuss the annual budget and the carry-forward of funds for cyclical works.

Internal Audit Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the internal audit activity relating to the Barbican Centre. This report, prepared by the Head of Internal Audit, Cirla Peall, detailed the progress of assurance work since the previous meeting in November 2024. Key developments included the finalisation of a Contract Management audit and the commencement of audit fieldwork for Safeguarding. The report indicated that as of mid-December 2024, there were eight high-priority and eighteen medium-priority recommendations outstanding. The report also provided indicative high-level audit coverage proposals for 2025-26 for the committee's comment.

The audit of Contract Management, which focused on supplier performance, service delivery, and internal contract management, resulted in a limited assurance opinion. This highlighted opportunities to strengthen the control environment and ensure compliance with corporate expectations. The audit identified nine recommendations in total, with four classified as high priority and five as medium priority.

An audit of Health and Safety was planned to build upon earlier risk reviews that had yielded moderate to limited assurance outcomes. The primary objective of this audit was to provide an assurance opinion on the adequacy of the overall framework for ensuring appropriate Health and Safety practices throughout the Barbican Centre. Audit fieldwork was scheduled to take place in January and February 2025.

Fieldwork was also underway for an audit of Safeguarding, building on a previous risk review that resulted in a limited assurance outcome. This audit aimed to assess the adequacy of the framework for ensuring appropriate safeguarding practices, examining the implementation of policies and procedures, staff training, monitoring arrangements, and accountability structures.

The report also detailed the implementation of recommendations, noting that as of mid-October 2024, there were eight live high-priority and eighteen medium-priority recommendations. Formal follow-up exercises were planned for 2025-26 for Business Continuity, Financial Controls, and Contract Management.

High-level proposals for audit coverage in 2025-26 included a review of Barbican Renewal Project Governance and examinations of Facilities Management, Contract Management, Income Controls, and Risk Management as part of a rolling programme.

Barbican Centre Health and Safety Report

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the current state of health and safety, including fire management, at the Barbican Centre, and the steps being taken to address identified weaknesses. The report, authored by Megan Dewberry, Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing, noted that over the past decade, a reduction in dedicated health and safety roles had led to unclear responsibilities.

In response to independent reviews and fire safety issues, the Barbican Centre had recruited Megan Dewberry to a new Head of Health, Safety & Wellbeing role and secured funding for two additional health and safety positions. A strategic health and safety plan, aligned with the City of London Corporation's health and safety strategy, was also in development, with a draft plan intended for review and approval in Spring/Summer 2025.

The report highlighted that the Barbican's health and safety management system was assessed as lacking maturity, based on a safety maturity assessment conducted in April 2024. This assessment measured 74 competencies across 10 modules, including Director Knowledge, Management Knowledge, and Culture & Behaviours. The findings were intended to inform the strategic health and safety plan and serve as an assurance tool for senior management and relevant boards.

Leadership commitment to health and safety was being reinforced through bespoke training for the Town Clerk, the Executive Leadership Board, and planned sessions for the Barbican Directors Group, Management Team, and potentially Board members.

An internal audit of the Barbican's health and safety management was scheduled for January/February 2025, which would further inform the strategic health and safety plan.

Annual Budget

A joint report from the Chamberlain and the Interim CEO of the Barbican Centre concerning the Annual Budget was scheduled to be presented. This item was marked For Decision and was noted as Report to follow.

Barbican Centre - Carry Forward of CWP Funds to 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the Interim CEO of the Barbican Centre regarding the carry-forward of Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) funds to the 2025/26 financial year. This item was also marked For Decision.

Other Scheduled Items

The agenda also included the approval of the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 4 November 2024. Additionally, there were provisions for members' declarations under the Code of Conduct, questions on matters relating to the work of the committee, and any other urgent business that the Chair considered appropriate. A motion was scheduled to be put forward to exclude the public from the meeting for specific items, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972. This exclusion would allow for the discussion of non-public minutes, the annual budget, the carry-forward of CWP funds, further internal audit updates, the Barbican Centre health and safety report, the Barbican business review for October 2024, and an update on the Barbican Cyclical Works Programme and Capital Projects. A risk update was also listed as Report to follow.