As both a publicly funded institution and a charity, Tate sets down guidelines for what is expected in Trustees’ conduct.
Role of the Chair
The Chair should ensure that all members of the Board, when taking up office, are fully briefed on the terms of their appointment and on their duties and responsibilities.
The Chair has particular responsibilities for providing effective leadership to the Board, including:
signing, on behalf of the Trustees, the annual accounts and, with the Accounting Officer, the Statement of Internal Control, the Funding Agreement, the Management Statement and the Financial Memorandum.
formulating the Board’s approach to its duties
representing the views of the Board to the general public
ensuring that the Board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance by the Government
encouraging high standards of propriety
ensuring that the Board meetings take place as scheduled and that minutes of meetings accurately record decisions taken and, where appropriate, the views of the individual Board members
ensuring that the full proper procedures are carried through for consultation and approval of appointments to the Board and sub-committees and for discussion of other appointments in which the Board has an interest
ensuring that Board members may speak when they need to
ensuring that, if necessary, a vote is taken and the result recorded
providing an assessment of performance of individual Board members which contributes to consideration of their re-appointment to the Board
advising the DCMS over the selection of new Trustees as part of the delegated appointments process
providing liaison with the Director, and guiding his or her work
The Chair also has an important role in communicating the views of the Board to Government. Communication of this sort will be through the Chair and Director except where the Board has agreed that other Trustees should act on its behalf or should raise issues relating to their duties as members of the Board.
The Corporate Responsibilities of the Board
Trustees have corporate responsibility for ensuring that Tate complies with statutory or administrative requirements for the use of public funds, and ensuring that Public Service Values are met at Tate.
The Board is expected to:
Ensure high standards of corporate governance at all times
Be responsible for over seeing Tate’s affairs, determining the policies and overall strategy for the organisation, within the policy and resources framework agreed by the DCMS, and providing critical commentary on current activities and overall direction of Tate.
Maximise value for money through ensuring that its responsibilities are discharged in the most efficient, effective and economical way within available resources;
Be accountable to the public for the activities of Tate. The Board is responsible for providing Parliament (including the Select Committee) with as full information as may be requested about its decisions and actions. The Board should conduct all its dealings with the public in an open and responsible way.
Observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to its responsibilities including the stewardship of public funds. It should be able to demonstrate that resources are being used with probity and without grounds for criticism that public funds are being used for private, partisan or party political purposes.
Take into account, in reaching decisions, any guidance issued by the Government.
Promote equality and diversity throughout Tate’s work, within the terms of the Race Relations Act, the Disability Discrimination Act, and equal opportunities legislation.
Ensure prompt responses to public requests for information, and meeting other requirements for openness and responsiveness set out in the Freedom of Information Act
Ensuring that the board has specific responsibility for sustainable development and operates within the framework of the Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy, following the priorities set by the sponsoring Department.
Role of an Individual Board Member
In tandem with the Corporate Responsibilities on the Board, Trustees also have individual responsibilities.
Individual Board members should:
be aware of their wider responsibilities as members of the Board. Like others who serve the public, they should follow the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (the Nolan Committee), set out below
act in good faith and in the best interests of the public and the Gallery;
not use information gained in the course of their duties as Trustees for personal gain;
not seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their private interests;
comply with the Board’s rules on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality;
formally register any direct or indirect personal or pecuniary interests which may conflict with their responsibilities as Trustees in their Declaration of Interests or by declaring an interest at a meeting. Further advice on handling conflicts of interest is set out under Managing Trustees’ Interests
undertake to comply at all times with the recommendations set out on Trustees’ conduct, and with rules relating to the use of public funds.
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE
Selflessness
Holders of the public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for them selves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in any way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Role of the Board
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