Governance changes
Following an independent governance review, the Board of Trustees is recommending amendments to our Articles of Association. Below you'll find a summary of the proposed changes along with information on our Annual General Meeting, where the proposals will be voted on by members.
Message from the President, Ed Jewell
As President of Libraries Connected, I want to thank members for your continued engagement in shaping our charity’s future. Over the past year, the Board has undertaken a full review of our governance, with independent support from NCVO, to make sure that the way we lead keeps pace with the growth and ambition of the organisation. Libraries Connected has grown significantly in recent years; a larger staff team, a wider range of projects and an increased public profile. Our governance structures and processes have not changed substantially, though, since we were established as a charity six years ago.
The review found that our trustees and senior staff are passionate about public libraries and committed to supporting our work. It also highlighted areas where we could improve and gave us clear recommendations to help us deliver our strategy, increase our impact and bring us into line with similar organisations.
The changes now being put forward are about strengthening our accountability and our connection to members. They clarify responsibilities, support effective leadership, and ensure your voice continues to shape national strategy. The change protect the energy, time and focus of each role, allowing trustees, the President and the executive to concentrate on what they each do best. In this way the proposed changes strengthen both efficiency and trust, ensuring that every hour of voluntary and professional effort delivers the greatest possible impact for our members and libraries.
Below you’ll find a summary of the proposed amendments to our Articles of Association. On behalf of the Board, I believe these changes will make Libraries Connected stronger, more transparent, and more representative and I and the Board as a whole encourage members to vote YES at the AGM in December.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM on December 11 is your chance to discuss and vote on the proposals. All members are welcome.
What changes are being proposed?
Splitting the roles of President and Chair of the Board
Current situation
The positions of President and Chair of the Board are a combined single role. The postholder serves for two years.
Proposed changes
The role would be split, with separate President and Chair roles.
The President would:
- Continue to be elected by and from the membership and sit on the Board of Trustees
- Serve for a period of two years
- Continue to chair the Advisory Committee
The Chair would:
- Be elected from the Board of Trustees, or externally recruited if required, based on skill sets and knowledge
- Serve for a period of three years
Why?
The combined President/Chair role creates a demanding workload for one individual and doesn’t reflect the different skillsets each role requires.
Splitting the roles would allow the President to focus on external advocacy work and act as a figurehead while the Chair focuses on the work of the Board of Trustees, governance and supervision of the CEO.
Extending the Chair’s term to three years would allow for continuity on the Board and work with the CEO.
Removing the roles of President Elect and Past President
Current situation
The President Elect serves one year in office shadowing the President prior to taking up the position of President for two years, then steps into the Past President position for one year.
Proposed change
The roles of President Elect and Past President would be removed.
Why?
The current structure is unusual in the charity sector and unnecessarily extends the time commitment for Presidents. Removing the roles would free up spaces on the Board and allow for greater flexibility in bringing in Trustees with different skills.
Increasing the number of external Trustees
Current situation
Nine places on the Board (out of a maximum 13) are reserved for members with up to four external Trustees recruited for their experience and expertise.
Proposed changes
- Four places on the Board would be reserved for members.
- The remaining Trustees would be recruited for their experience and expertise in priority areas. They could be either external or member Trustees.
Why?
The governance review highlighted the significant value brought to the Board by external Trustees. It also identified certain areas where the Board could benefit from broader expertise, including audit, communications and charity law. By allowing the co-option of more external Trustees, it can proactively address these skills gaps while increasing diversity on the Board. Retaining four places for member trustees would maintain the crucial link with the membership while providing the flexibility to bring in other Trustees from outside the sector.
The Advisory Committee will continue to be chaired by the President so that strong links are maintained between members, the Committee and the Board.
Questions?
If you have a question about the proposals that isn’t answered on this page please email it to info@librariesconnected.org.uk by 5pm on Friday November 28. Where possible, we will add your anonymised question and the response to this page for others to see.