HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF “DYSFUNCTIONAL” PAVILION THEATRE

STATEMENT BY CLLR RICHARD HUMPHREYS

Labour Party Councillor for Stillorgan

Sunday, 17 April 2011

HUMPHREYS CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF “DYSFUNCTIONAL” PAVILION THEATRE

Speaking at the April 2011 Council meeting, Cllr Richard Humphreys, the Labour Party Councillor for the Stillorgan Ward, has called for a comprehensive review of the governance of the Pavilion Theatre, which is owned and significantly funded by the County Council.

“The Pavilion Theatre company is operating in a very unsatisfactory fashion and I believe that it is a dysfunctional body” Humphreys told the Council, referring in particular to recent serious industrial relations issues in the Company. 

“The board has the atmosphere of a very cosy, sclerotic members club and old-timers on the board seem to have no problem in dismissing new ideas by saying in effect, that’s not how things are done around here.”

“The board needs fresh blood” Humphreys stated.  At the suggestion of Cllr Tom Joyce, Humphreys has now written to the Council setting out proposals for change of the governance of the Pavilion.

Cllr Humphreys’ proposals are as follows:

1.        A comprehensive review of the corporate governance of this company to be carried out by a consultant appointed by the Council  

2.        Term limits for all members of the board – no-one should serve for more than 5 years.

3.        Any members who have served over 5 years should vacate office immediately.

4.        Review the reporting by the Director, the level of planning and information flows to the board in line with the Arts Council guidelines on the governance of arts administration bodies.

5.        Provide for an elected staff representative on the board forthwith in order to do something to improve the battered staff morale in the company.

Humphreys was addressing the Council after stepping down from the Pavilion Theatre Company following 2 years membership of the Company’s Board.

Ends