Board Minutes 24 March 2009
INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION
BOARD MEETING
10 am - Tuesday, 24th March 2009
At the offices of Yahoo! 125 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8AD
BOARD MEETING
10 am - Tuesday, 24th March 2009
At the offices of Yahoo! 125 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8AD
MINUTES
Present:
Ian Walden (Acting Chair)
Emma Ascroft
(industry Vice-chair)
Rodney Brooke
Naomi Cohen
Stephen Locke
Hamish
MacLeod
Tink Palmer (Acting independent Vice-chair)
Suzy Walton
IWF Staff: Peter Robbins (CEO)
Keren Mallinson
Brian Wegg
Apologies:
Mark Gracey
Apologies and welcome
Acting Chair noted the apology from Mark Gracey.
1 Minutes of previous Board meeting –27th January
These were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
Acting Chair noted the apology from Mark Gracey.
1 Minutes of previous Board meeting –27th January
These were accepted as a true record of the meeting.
2 Matters arising
There were no matters arising not otherwise covered on the agenda.
There were no matters arising not otherwise covered on the agenda.
3 Minutes from Executive Committee of 16th March 2009
To be circulated in due course.
To be circulated in due course.
4 IWF Chair appointment – recommendation from panel
Acting Chair reported that the panel had interviewed four candidates and was unanimous in the proposal that the post of IWF Board Chair should be offered to Eve Salomon. The proposal was seconded by Rodney Brooke and carried unanimously.
Acting Chair reported that the panel had interviewed four candidates and was unanimous in the proposal that the post of IWF Board Chair should be offered to Eve Salomon. The proposal was seconded by Rodney Brooke and carried unanimously.
ACTION 1: Following confirmation of acceptance the executive to notify Funding Council via their secretariat.
5 Funding Model – update on ISPs
Chief Executive tabled a paper and explained that this was the first of a series of update papers which examined the subscriptions of current members. This paper focussed on the biggest sector, ISPs.
Chief Executive tabled a paper and explained that this was the first of a series of update papers which examined the subscriptions of current members. This paper focussed on the biggest sector, ISPs.
Industry Board members felt that it was not possible to reach a
conclusion on the robustness of the subscription levels without adding
the mobile operators to the comparisons and it was agreed that a paper
which included mobile operators would be presented to the next Board
meeting.
ACTION 2: Revised paper to next Board including mobile operators
6 Operational matters:
a) Hotline report
Board noted the very helpful and much improved operational report. Board suggested that their understanding of operational issues would be improved:
Board noted the very helpful and much improved operational report. Board suggested that their understanding of operational issues would be improved:
- By the inclusion of some additional narrative to the graphical illustrations; and
- By showing comparable data for the same period in the previous year when hosting distributions were shown.
ACTION 3: Executive to implement the further improvements to the Hotline report.
7 Online content – policy matters:
7 Online content – policy matters:
a) Extreme Pornography – verbal update
Board noted that there had been no operational impact following the enactment of the legislation.
Board noted that there had been no operational impact following the enactment of the legislation.
b) Proposed legislation on non-photographic images (CGI)
Chief Executive introduced the paper and relayed a summary of a discussion with a government minister on the subject. Board concluded that the content appeared to be within IWF’s present remit but noted that the proposals linked the possession offence to obscenity and not the Protection of Children Act legislation.
Chief Executive introduced the paper and relayed a summary of a discussion with a government minister on the subject. Board concluded that the content appeared to be within IWF’s present remit but noted that the proposals linked the possession offence to obscenity and not the Protection of Children Act legislation.
Sampling had indicated that there is very little of this content
hosted within the UK and thus significant workload issues will only
arise if the government asks IWF to take on an international role with
regard to this content. Board agreed that should this arise they would
reconsider the matter and consider seeking government financial support
for scoping the problem and for subsequently processing reports should
Board agree to take on the wider international role.
c) CAIC
(i) Self-certification
Hamish MacLeod confirmed that following a vote, Funding Council supported the proposed process.
Hamish MacLeod confirmed that following a vote, Funding Council supported the proposed process.
(ii) Remedies and sanctions
Board noted that Funding Council had recently voted on a remedy and sanctions paper which contained a number of amendments to the Funding Council’s paper. It was agreed that Board would need to review the amendments proposed by Funding Council before deciding on the way forward.
Board noted that Funding Council had recently voted on a remedy and sanctions paper which contained a number of amendments to the Funding Council’s paper. It was agreed that Board would need to review the amendments proposed by Funding Council before deciding on the way forward.
ACTION 4: Executive to circulate to Board electronically the revised Funding Council version of the paper.
(iii) CAIC policy statements
Director of Policy introduced the paper explaining that CAIC policy had been developed over a period of time and had been approved at a number of Board meetings. This had resulted in some relatively minor discrepancies which needed to be clarified and resolved.
In the report, Board noted that under the section entitled Access, paragraph 4.3-4. – this should read ‘national law enforcement agencies’ (and not police forces).
Director of Policy introduced the paper explaining that CAIC policy had been developed over a period of time and had been approved at a number of Board meetings. This had resulted in some relatively minor discrepancies which needed to be clarified and resolved.
In the report, Board noted that under the section entitled Access, paragraph 4.3-4. – this should read ‘national law enforcement agencies’ (and not police forces).
Board unanimously approved the recommendations subject to the above amendment.
It was noted that a section on validation policy would be added following a full agreement on the matter.
(iv) Non-commercial Level 1 policy
CEO outlined the proposed process and gave an indication of the approximate number of images which would be subject to the additional assessment. He confirmed to Board that the image which had sparked the controversy had been assessed correctly, confirmed by an authorised Police Officer and subsequently by appeal and included on the CAIC URL list in accordance with present policy. Board concluded that no mistake had been made by staff in their application of the policy but the incident had highlighted an issue of Board policy with regard to automatic inclusion on the CAIC URL list.
CEO outlined the proposed process and gave an indication of the approximate number of images which would be subject to the additional assessment. He confirmed to Board that the image which had sparked the controversy had been assessed correctly, confirmed by an authorised Police Officer and subsequently by appeal and included on the CAIC URL list in accordance with present policy. Board concluded that no mistake had been made by staff in their application of the policy but the incident had highlighted an issue of Board policy with regard to automatic inclusion on the CAIC URL list.
Board considered the different types of contextual assessment set
out in the paper and following further discussion the meeting agreed
unanimously that:
- Board reserved the right to apply a set of criteria which assesses the context of any image, which is considered illegal and which a hoster will not remove – the outcome of that contextual assessment may result in the image not being added to the URL list;
- When an image is illegal and the hoster will not remove that image, Board will review the application of the contextual criteria and this stage will become part of the review process; and
- A process is being developed which will be made public.
ACTION 5: A revised paper to be circulated electronically to Board and to be forwarded to the next Funding Council for consultation
8 Funding Council feedback
In addition to the CAIC matters referred to separately, Hamish MacLeod reported on a number of issues considered by Funding Council including:
In addition to the CAIC matters referred to separately, Hamish MacLeod reported on a number of issues considered by Funding Council including:
- The formation of the Technical Group and its initial work programme;
- Council’s support for the 2009/10 budget; and
- Ongoing discussions on the CAIC licence.
Committee matters:
9 Audit Committee – Hamish MacLeod, Chair:
a) 2008/9 – financial reports
Hamish reported that there were no significant variations of concern in the management accounts or current balance sheet.
b) 2009/10 budget
The additional sum for communications development was noted and Hamish pointed out that the budget had been based upon an assumed staff cost of living increase and any variation would change the budget forecast.
The additional sum for communications development was noted and Hamish pointed out that the budget had been based upon an assumed staff cost of living increase and any variation would change the budget forecast.
10 Remuneration Sub-committee – Suzy Walton, Chair
[CEO and Director of Policy withdrew for the next two items
a. 2009 Annual cost of living review – staff salaries
Suzy Walton explained that following the committee’s formation this was the first time they had reviewed the evidence and made a recommendation on the annual pay review. Suzy asked Board to note that the committee had consulted with staff in order to gather views about the process for the review and the indices which might be taken into account. In line with recommended governance practice the committee was not recommending an annual consultation with staff on the level of the cost of living adjustment to salaries.
Suzy explained that the committee was not recommending a set algorithm for the annual review but would take into account a range of data. The current economic volatility had resulted in unusual variations in key data and the committee had taken this into account in making a recommendation that staff salaries should increase by 2.4% from 1st April 2009.
[CEO and Director of Policy withdrew for the next two items
a. 2009 Annual cost of living review – staff salaries
Suzy Walton explained that following the committee’s formation this was the first time they had reviewed the evidence and made a recommendation on the annual pay review. Suzy asked Board to note that the committee had consulted with staff in order to gather views about the process for the review and the indices which might be taken into account. In line with recommended governance practice the committee was not recommending an annual consultation with staff on the level of the cost of living adjustment to salaries.
Suzy explained that the committee was not recommending a set algorithm for the annual review but would take into account a range of data. The current economic volatility had resulted in unusual variations in key data and the committee had taken this into account in making a recommendation that staff salaries should increase by 2.4% from 1st April 2009.
The recommendation was supported unanimously.
b. CEO salary review
Confidential item – the committee recommendations were supported unanimously.
Confidential item – the committee recommendations were supported unanimously.
11 Communications Committee – Naomi Cohen, Chair:
a. Press cuttings
The cuttings were noted. Board confirmed that they found the cuttings useful background in carrying out their role as Directors and wished to carry on receiving them.
The cuttings were noted. Board confirmed that they found the cuttings useful background in carrying out their role as Directors and wished to carry on receiving them.
b. Communications aspects and implications of the ‘Wikipedia issue’
Naomi Cohen introduced a report and asked Board to note that there were Board decisions which flowed from the report recommendations.
Naomi Cohen introduced a report and asked Board to note that there were Board decisions which flowed from the report recommendations.
Naomi asked Board to note that strategically the IWF communications
work in responding to the issue had been good, particularly in the
light of the resources available. It was noted that the IWF received
firm support from key stakeholders and the issue did not take off as a
major lead in the main media and press in the UK. However improvements
could be made in the understanding and relationships with the trade
press. Naomi confirmed that IWF’s response to the issue had been
broadly appropriate but the processes and protocols for responding in
such a situation needed strengthening and setting out formally.
Board considered the residual impact of the incident on the
reputation of IWF and concluded that it was important to invest further
in communications strategy and activities.
Board concluded that the recommendations were proportionate and were supported unanimously subject to minor amendments.
Industry Board members would consider with other Funding Council
colleagues, the possibility of forming an industry PR Group in order to
respond to such situations and keep members briefed.
Hamish MacLeod asked Board to note that the investment in the
revised strategy should be handled correctly for accounting purposes
with accruals being shown for the expenditure on the Annual Report in
the correct budgeted financial year 2008/9 and an increase of £20,000
being budgeted for investment in communications in the following year,
2009/10.
c. IWF Internet Users Research – Summary Report
Board reviewed the paper and concluded that this was a sound piece of research which added to the overall understanding of internet use. Subject to ensuring that all statistical data was appropriately labelled with its level of significance and that the date of the survey was clearly shown, Board agreed that the report should be published on the IWF website with appropriate hyperlinks from the news section.
Board reviewed the paper and concluded that this was a sound piece of research which added to the overall understanding of internet use. Subject to ensuring that all statistical data was appropriately labelled with its level of significance and that the date of the survey was clearly shown, Board agreed that the report should be published on the IWF website with appropriate hyperlinks from the news section.
ACTION 6: Executive to publish the report on the IWF website
12 Annual Report 2008 – Launch update
Board noted the arrangements and the opportunity to comment on the list of invitations to the event.
Board noted the arrangements and the opportunity to comment on the list of invitations to the event.
13 Membership matters:
a. Membership update
Board noted the report and unanimously supported the membership applications from 4D Interactive, NetIDme and St Bernard Software.
Board noted the report and unanimously supported the membership applications from 4D Interactive, NetIDme and St Bernard Software.
14 Chair and CEO matters:
a) Chair’s report
Chair pointed out that all his activities had been covered in today’s agenda items.
Chair pointed out that all his activities had been covered in today’s agenda items.
b) Chief Executive’s report
The helpful update was noted.
The helpful update was noted.
15 AOB
- All Board members were asked to ensure that attendance allowance claims for 2008/9 were submitted to the Resources Manager as a matter of urgency;
- Rodney Brooke proposed a vote of thanks to Ian Walden for effectively fulfilling the role of Acting Board Chair since 1 January 2009. Board unanimously supported the proposal.
16 Board dates for 2009:
Tuesdays - start time usually 10.30 am
May 19th, June 30th, Sept 29th, December 1st.
Tuesdays - start time usually 10.30 am
May 19th, June 30th, Sept 29th, December 1st.
