Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

In accordance with Standing Order No. 29, the Sub Committee elected a Chairman.

RESOLVED - That Edward Lord be elected as Chairman for the meeting of the Dispensations Sub Committee. 

The Sub Committee is asked to consider written requests for a dispensation from a number of Members in relation to forthcoming discussions on the Business Rate Premium and therefore the Business Rate at the Finance Committee and potentially the Court of Common Council.

Written requests for a dispensation from Michael Hudson (Common Councilman for the Ward of Castle Baynard), James de Sausmarez (Common Councilman for the Ward of Candlewick) and James Tumbridge (Common Councilman for the Ward of Tower) are attached.

N.B. - Any further written requests received will be tabled at the meeting.

The Sub Committee considered a total of ten written requests for dispensations from the following Members:

·        Alderman Timothy Hailes (Alderman for the Ward of Bassishaw);

·        Michael Hudson (Common Councilman for the Ward of Castle Baynard)

·        Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli (Alderman for the Ward of Broad Street);

·        Deputy Robert Merrett (Common Councilman for the Ward of Bassishaw);

·        Dhruv Patel (Common Councilman for the Ward of Aldgate);

·        James de Sausmarez (Common Councilman for the Ward of Candlewick)

·        Ian Seaton (Common Councilman for the Ward of Cornhill);

·        Sir Michael Snyder (Common Councilman for the Ward of Cordwainer);

·        James Tumbridge (Common Councilman for the Ward of Tower)

·        Mark Wheatley (Common Councilman for the Ward of Dowgate);

It was noted that the requests for dispensation under Section 33 (2) of the Localism Act 2011, to participate in any discussion and vote on matters relating to the Business Rate Premium were based on the following grounds:-

(i) Without the dispensation the proportion of Members and Co-opted Members prohibitied from participating in any particular business would be so great as to impede the transaction of the business; and/or

(ii) Granting the dispensation is in the interests of persons living in the City.

It was noted that Members had submitted the requests with a particular view to speaking at meetings of the Finance Committee taking place on 16 February 2016 and/or the Court of Common Council 3 March 2016. However, the majority were seeking a more general dispensation to cover the period up to the next Ward elections in 2017, to cover both speaking and voting at relevant meetings.

Following confirmation from the Comptroller & City Solicitor regarding the grounds on which a dispensation could be granted, the Sub Committee considered each of the requests in turn. The Sub Committee considered it

Further requests for Dispensations regarding the Business Rate Premium

In response to a question, the Chairman suggested that any further written requests for dispensations from Members in relation to forthcoming discussions on the Business Rate Premium ahead of either the Finance Committee on 16 February 2016 or the Court of Common Council on 3 March 2016 be considered by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the grand Committee.

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration.