Can I suggest a different perspective?
For my sins, I've sat on various company Boards since 1985. Whilst all Boards are different, there are some things that are generally common. For example (generalising, I accept) there are 2 ways to present a proposal.
The first (which I always favour
) is to do all your lobbying in advance, get all the necessary agreements in place, present your proposal and watch it go through on the nod. The second is to present your proposal unheralded. Maybe there isn't time for the other option, maybe you're trying to surprise someone - either way, a bit more risky.
With option 1, all should be plain sailing, implementation should follow as a matter of course. With option 2, you may run into opposition, in the meeting, in lobbying afterwards, or both.
So a question. How soon after the meeting did the academy close?
It's rhetorical of course because it's still going, albeit under threat following the bust up with the Higgs.
So does that perhaps suggest that there might have been some decision makers who weren't happy with the proposal?
Maybe the minutes don't give a totally full record of all the discussions (I've yet to find any that did!).
Just a thought.....