Council held its annual planning day on 25th November at Britannia Walk. As in previous years the overall purpose of the day was to review progress against the Corporate Plan and reassess the priorities for future years in the light of changing circumstances. In addition this year the Council devoted a part of the day to reviewing the current Board structures and looking for proposals for change.
The current structure of six Boards has been in place for approaching ten years. The review was agreed earlier in the year by Council who set up a working party to look at options for change. The working party was made of Council members Sheila Holden and David Gibby, supported by Chief Executive Mary Lewis and Brian Murrell, Director of Corporate Services.
The working party presented its findings and recommendations to Council at the November meeting. The main recommendations were:
- To reduce the number of Boards to three to align better with the strategic objectives of the Corporate Plan
- The three Boards would be Learned Society (Technical), Membership and Skills, External Affairs and Communications
- To make the role of the Boards more strategic and ask Panels to lead on delivery
- To enhance the role of Council in carrying out its role in setting the strategic direction for the Institution
The presentation was followed by a full debate of the Council and in workshop groups to look at the proposals in detail.
At the conclusion of the session Mary Lewis, CIHT Chief Executive, summed up as follows:
“Council has an appetite for a big change in the Board Structure and is generally supportive. However, the devil is in the detail."
"More clarity is needed on what level of committee does what and ensuring proper status is attached to doing work for the Institution. It is important that co opted members continue to be motivated. The time commitment from individual Council Members should not increase."
"Naming of the successors to current Boards and Panels needs be resolved. Care is also needed in the organisation and set up of panels to ensure they do not proliferate unnecessarily.”
Council agreed to support the proposed changes in principle, but asked for a full report to its next meeting in February and for the working party to continue to assist in this work. If satisfactory progress can be made at the February meeting the aim would be to finalise the changes in time for the AGM in June 2010 to operate from the Council year 2010-11.
This is a very significant change in the governance of the Institution and all members are encouraged to contribute to the debate and discussion.
So if you are interested to know more about the proposals or wish to express a view that please contact Brian Murrell at
brian.murrell@ciht.org.uk or phone 0207 336 1559
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