Revision history: first published 2001-11-22
The Member States approved the proposal by the CERN Director General to establish an independent, international, External Review Committee (ERC). This panel of 5 to 10 scientific, financial and management experts will report to Council. Their mandate will be to review the LHC and other scientific programmes in the light of LHC funding needs. After an interim report in March, a final report will be presented to Council in June 2002. The composition of this panel will be approved by Council at its December meeting. Dr R. Aymar, Director of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), was proposed as the Chairman of the Committee and Member State delegations will propose members of this review committee.
Committee of Council strongly supported the action taken by CERN management in setting up internal task forces. These task forces will identify where CERN resources and structures can be optimised and focussed on the LHC. They will work in parallel with the ERC. Their findings will provide important material for management and the ERC.
These decisions represent substantial progress on a strategy by CERN management and Member States to react to the cost overrun of the LHC project. Delegates expressed satisfaction that real movement was being made towards a solution.