Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Doug Barrow, Stuart Fraser, Wendy Hyde, Sir Michael Snyder and Alderman Sir David Wootton.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 19 May 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2016 were approved as a correct record, subject to Item 3 (Terms of Reference) being amended to read,

‘The Terms of Reference were received.

Members took the opportunity to discuss the amended terms of reference, namely the proposal to co-opt up to two external persons on to the sub committee, who shall not have voting rights. The Chairman agreed to review the comments outside of the meeting and to bring a proposal back to a future meeting.’

To give further consideration to co-opting external members to the Sub-Committee. The Chairman to be heard.

The Chairman noted the sub committee’s new ability to co-opt up to two external persons and asked members for their views. The following points were made.

·         Co-option was welcome provided it enhanced the public relations and economic development work of the City of London Corporation.

·         It should strengthen the City’s engagement with its wider community, and it should form part of the City’s wider engagement.

·         It should benefit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

·         The sub committee could deal with recurring internal agenda items in a single meeting, and hold further extraordinary meetings at other locations such as Canary Wharf.

·         Co-option should be undertaken with wider City objectives in mind – how would it contribute to City’s efforts to build a Smart City, for example.

The Chairman noted that there was general support for co-option of external members subject to the comments made, and asked the Town Clerk to bring a report to a future meeting.

Report of the Director of Communications.

Members received a report of the Director of Communications regarding core messages, and the following comments were made.

·         These core messages should be distributed to Members regularly, as well as the City’s communications grid.

·         Core messages should also include a description of what the City of London Corporation was, as an organisation.

·         The section around Supporting the City should make the City’s positive contribution to the arts, education, heritage and open spaces more explicit.

In response to a query from a Member, the Town Clerk agreed to bring a report to a future meeting on the purpose of Ward Newsletters.

RECEIVED

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

Members received a report of the Director of Economic Development on Party Conferences 2016. In response to queries from Members, the Director agreed to circulate the list of attendance among Members, and to arrange Member attendance at the SNP Conference in Glasgow.

RECEIVED

EU Referendum – Contingency Planning

In response to a question from a Member, the Town Clerk confirmed that media contingency planning had been carried out, for the event of a vote for the UK to leave the European Union.

EU Referendum – Registration as Permitted Participant

In response to a question from a Member, the Town Clerk confirmed that the City had registered as a permitted participant, in the EU Referendum campaign, in line with rules laid down by the Electoral Commission. Registration had taken place as the spending threshold had been met by the forthcoming Bankers’ and Merchants’ Dinner, and research items commissioned by the Economic Development Office.

The Queen’s Speech

Members received a tabled report of the Remembrancer conserving the recent legislative programme outlined in the Queen’s Speech 2016.

RECEIVED