Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall
Contact: Emma Cunnington
tel. no.: 020 7332 1413
Email: emma.cunnington@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Apologies Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Members to the meeting and advised that the focus of the meeting would be on items 11, 12 and 12a. The Chairman also updated the Committee on the Clerk to the Finance Committee’s (John Cater’s) news of the safe arrival of his baby boy.
Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Kevin Everett, Christopher Hill, Tim Levene, Deputy Hugh Morris, Deputy Alastair Moss, Deputy James Thomson and James Tumbridge. |
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Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda Minutes: There were no declarations of interest.
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Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 109 KB To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2019. Minutes: RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on Tuesday 22 January 2019 be approved as an accurate record.
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Outstanding actions from previous meetings PDF 46 KB Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which set out outstanding actions from previous meetings of the Committee.
RESOLVED, that: · The report be noted. |
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Annual Review of the Committee's Terms of Reference PDF 43 KB Report of the Town Clerk. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the Committee’s Terms of Reference. Members noted that an updated version of the Sub Committee’s terms of reference had been tabled at the meeting.
The Chairman, observing that the composition of the Finance Committee was already fairly sizeable, sought the Committee’s views on a request he had received from the Chair of Establishment: that the Establishment Committee have authority to appoint one Member of its Committee to the Finance Committee, in the same way that the Finance Committee currently do for the Establishment Committee.
Members noted that staff costs were a high proportion of the City Corporation’s financial outgoings, but on balance felt that it was not relevant for a Member of the Establishment Committee to be represented on the Finance Committee.
The Chairman explained that the Procurement Sub Committee terms of reference had been updated to allow the Sub Committee to give attention to cases such as the Action and Know Fraud contract by including the wording: “to review and scrutinise procurement projects or supplier contracts more forensically in terms of value for money, contract performance, contract disputes or commercial negotiations, when requested by the Finance Committee”.
The Chairman of the Digital Services Sub Committee then explained the changes to the terms of reference for his Sub-Committee, highlighting that the amended terms of reference included reference to all data protection breaches (not all of which are computer based). Members agreed that the following clause, could be taken out of the terms of reference: “i.e. personal data processed wholly or partly by electronic means of which forms part of, or is intended to form part of a physical filing system.”
The Chairman sought the Committee’s approval for delegated authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman |
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Finance Committee's Forward Plan PDF 43 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain outlining the Committee’s Forward Plan.
RESOLVED, that: · The report be noted. |
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Report of the work of the Sub-Committees PDF 40 KB Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which advised Members of the key discussions which had taken place during recent meetings of the Committee’s Sub-Committees.
Members were advised that as the Procurement Sub Committee meeting scheduled for 13 February had been cancelled, there was no update on the work of that Sub Committee.
The Chairman of the Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee updated Members on the City Surveyor’s report concerning the Guildhall Workplace Utilisation Scheme as part of the smart working programme. Members heard how further papers on the topic would be submitted to the Corporate Asset Sub Committee and the Projects Sub Committee in due course, as well as to the Establishment Committee.
The Deputy Chairman of Corporate Asset Sub Committee reported on the energy use at City Corporation sites and highlighted that the 2018/19 Q2 results showed an overall weather corrected decrease of 1.8% compared to 2017/18. He reported that energy saving initiatives at the Guildhall Complex, Central Criminal Court and the New Spitalfields Market had been the main drivers behind energy consumption reductions.
Finally, the Chairman of the Digital Services Sub Committee reported on the recent activity of his Sub Committee, including the first presentation concerning the digital impact on a department, led by the Chamberlain. The Chairman also reported on the discussions on the Information Security Risk and the Sub Committee’s recommendation that this be moved from red to amber.
RESOLVED, that: · the report be noted. |
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Draft public Minutes of Sub-Committees To note the draft minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings: Minutes: The Committee noted the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the following Sub-Committee meetings: - Corporate Asset Sub-Committee held on Wednesday 30 January 2019; - Digital Services Sub-Committee held on Monday 4 February 2019; and - The Joint Meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee & Efficiency & Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen held on Thursday 17 January 2019. |
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Draft public minutes of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee held on 30 January 2019 PDF 67 KB To receive the public minutes of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee meeting held on 30 January 2019. Minutes: RESOLVED – That the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee meeting held on 30 January 2019 be noted. |
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Draft public minutes of the Digital Services Sub-Committee held on 4 February 2019 PDF 116 KB To receive the minutes of the Digital Services Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2019. Minutes: RESOLVED – That the draft public minutes and non-public summary of the Digital Services Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2019 be noted. |
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To receive the public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen. Minutes: RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and Efficiency and Performance Sub-Committee with Committee Chairmen hed on 17 January 2019 be noted. |
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Risk Management - Top Risks PDF 76 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided updates regarding the top risks within the Departmental Risk Register.
The Chamberlain introduced the item and set out the requests that the Information Security Risk (CR16) to be moved to Amber, the Police Funding risk (CR23) to remain as red with the Chamberlain working with the Commissioner to try and mitigate this risk, and that the Brexit risk to City Corporation procurement and supply chains (CHP CP001) be discussed under item 20.
RESOLVED, that: · the report be noted. |
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Central Contingencies PDF 55 KB Report of the Chamberlain.
NB:- The accompanying appendix will be considered in the non-public section of the agenda under item X. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided Members with information regarding the current balance of the Finance Committee Contingency Funds for the current year.
It was noted that despite the report saying otherwise, there were requests on the meeting’s agenda requesting funding which affected the uncommitted balances table.
· the report be noted.
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City Fund Budget Report and Medium-Term Financial Strategy PDF 205 KB Report of the Chamberlain.
(TO FOLLOW) Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain outlining the overall financial position of the City Fund and the impact of the medium-term financial plan on the Fund. The Chairman set out the discussion under three sections: 1. Key decisions on proposals for increasing Council Tax and Business Rates 2. Impact of revenue bids 3. Changes in the Treasury Management Strategy Statement
Council Tax and Business Rates Firstly, Members discussed the proposal to increase the Business Rates Premium by 0.1p to 0.6p in the £, raising an increase to the forecast of over £2m, which could be applied to bringing the budget back into balance and to the increased demands that the City of London Police (CoLP) are facing in maintaining the security of the City. The Chairman was clear that the CoLP would need to submit a full business case so that the Committee had a sufficient understanding and oversight on what this money would be spent. After some discussion, it was agreed that a ‘security PIP (Priorities Investment Pot)’ would be set up (with £4.2m in total) against which the CoLP could bid for funds. The Chairman underlined the expectation of the Committee, that demands on the CoLP should, as much as possible, be found within its existing budget before bidding for funds from the Security PIP.
Although stating their usual reluctance in raising taxes, other Members supported the recommendation that the Business Rates Premium be increased, due to the serious security requirements in the City.
The Chairman presented the pros and cons of raising Council Tax and sought Members views. On the whole, Members supported the recommendation to increase the City Corporation element of Council Tax Demand by 2.99%. Members considered the political positioning of the City Corporation in light of the Fair Funding Review, |
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City's Cash and Bridge House Estates Revenue Budgets 201819 and 201920 PDF 153 KB Report to the Chamberlain.
(TO FOLLOW) Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain, covering the 2019/20 Budget and financial outlook for City’s Cash and Bridge House Estates.
RESOLVED, that: · The latest revenue budgets for 2018/19 be noted; · The 2019/20 revenue budgets be agreed, including the following measures: o Efficiency Savings: Maintain the 2% efficiency saving across all Corporation departments, which together with the pay and inflation uplift of 2% would result in flat cash budgets. o Additional resource requests: to establish an in-year provision pending further consideration by the Resource Allocation Sub Committee. · The additional measures relating to the Medium Term Corporate Plan Alignment and Financial Sustainability be approved: o Revenue: Establish a fundamental review of priorities to align resources to the Corporate Plan and deliver a sustainable medium-term financial plan and receive a report on the framework and timing in March. o Capital: cash limits for the major projects and explore options for further streamlining, joint ventures/private sector capital, a process for prioritising other capital projects, and the disposal of non-income earning surplus operational property as identified from the operational property review and approved by the Policy and Resources Committee. · That this report be endorsed for onward approval to the Court of Common Council. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: Members considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning a fundamental review of capital and supplementary revenue project funding an interim revised prioritisation process.
Members considered the criteria of the fundamental review, and noted that only schemes that met this criteria would be fully funded. Bids needed to be accompanied by sound business cases. Whilst there may be exceptions for this scheme for loan funding, these loan bids would still go through a prioritisation process.
The Committee noted that the Policy & Resources Committee would need to agree on setting up a special meeting of Resource Allocation Sub Committee in March to use the criteria of the fundamental review to scrutinise the bids and prioritise resources.
RESOLVED, that: · The incorporation of pipeline/all new capital and SRP projects within the fundamental review for spend for 2020/21 and beyond be approved; · The prioritisation of existing capital schemes in 2019/20 that have not yet entered Gateway 5 of the Projects Procedure be approved, using the criteria set out in the report; · The prioritisation of new capital projects in 2019/20 be approved in accordance with the criteria as set out in the report; · Authority be delegated to the Chamberlain to determine financing of the capital budgets. |
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Chamberlain's Key Work Streams and Business Plan - Update PDF 61 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the department’s key work streams and business plan.
RESOLVED, that: · The report be noted. |
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Final Departmental High-level Business Plan 2019/20 -Chamberlain's Department PDF 58 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the Department’s high-level business plan for 2019/20.
RESOLVED, that: · The Chamberlain’s Department’s final high-level business plan for 2019/20 be approved. |
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CoL Pension Fund: GAD Section 13 Summary Report PDF 57 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the City of London Corporation’s Pension Fund and the Government Actuary’s Department’s review under Section 13 of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013.
A Member questioned why this had taken over two years to be reported to the Committee, and heard that the delay was due to HM Government rather than the City Corporation.
RESOLVED, that: · The report be noted. |
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Irrecoverable Non-Domestic Rates PDF 63 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain seeking approval to write off irrecoverable amounts of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates debts in excess of £20,000. Members agreed that this recommendation had to be approved.
RESOLVED, that: · Write off of irrecoverable non-domestic rates in the sum of £753,551 be approved, noting that £216,513 will be met by the City Corporation and £6,277 borne from the proceeds of the City Premium. The debt relates to 12 companies dating back to 2009. |
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Insurance and Indemnities PDF 61 KB Joint report of the Comptroller & City Comptroller and the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor and the Chamberlain setting out the position in relation to the potential personal liability of members of the Local Government Pension Board (LGPB) and the Police Pensions Board (PPB) in the event of breaches of data protection legislation.
A Member clarified that the indemnity for the benefit of former City of London Police officers could only be indemnified through City’s Cash, but former City Corporation employees could be indemnified through City’s Fund.
RESOLVED, that: · It be recommend to the Court of Common Council to agree that, utilising powers in the 2004 Order and in the Localism Act 2011, and utilising City’s Cash where necessary, the City Corporation resolves to indemnify Members and officers, including former officers, and serving and former police officers, who sit as members of the Boards against any personal liability that may arise to pay a civil penalty under the Data Protection Act 2018, to the extent that the City Corporation’s insurance policies do not cover such liability, and subject to the exclusions and restrictions contained in the 2004 Order. |
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London Counter Fraud Hub - Onboarding PDF 75 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: Members considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the London Counter Fraud Hub and the request for the joining fee to be funded from the Finance Committee contingency fund.
The Chamberlain reported at the meeting that he was now able to meet the cost of the joining fee in his department’s existing budget. The Chairman congratulated the Chamberlain for leading by example.
RESOLVED, that: · £75,000 not be released from the Finance Committee contingency fund to cover the London Counter Fraud joining fee, and that this instead be found within the Chamberlain’s local risk budget; · It be noted, that following Member support for the London Counter Fraud Hub at Audit & Risk Management Committee on 6 November 2018, and the delegated authority given to the Chamberlain to progress, enrolment to the London Counter Fraud Hub will be completed by 31 March 2019, via a Deed of Adherence with the London Borough of Ealing, subject to funding approval as part of the budget setting process. |
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One Savings Approach PDF 72 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: The Committee considered a report concerning the introduction of the ‘One Savings Approach’, which would be a single, corporate approach to recording and reporting savings and efficiencies, and would align incentives.
RESOLVED, that: · The introduction of the ‘One Savings Approach’ to savings and efficiencies, delivered with the support of City Procurement, be approved. |
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EU exit readiness: Category insight report PDF 60 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain setting out the findings of an external consultancy firm (Efficio Consulting) on the impact of the uncertain nature of the EU Exit deal on the supply chain.
The Commercial Director highlighted to Members that construction was the highest risk category due to the pressure on the industry to supply the required skilled tradesmen should there be a no deal Brexit.
RESOLVED, that: · The contents of the report and the full EU Exit Readiness Category Insight Report be noted. |
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Decisions taken under delegated authority and urgency procedures PDF 50 KB Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which provided information of the action taken by the Town Clerk since the last meeting of the Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, in accordance with Standing Orders 41(a). The decision related to the Bridge House Estates Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017/18.
RESOLVED, that: · The report be noted. |
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Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions.
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Any Other Business that the Chairman considers urgent Minutes: There were no urgent items.
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Exclusion of the Public MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act. Minutes: RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.
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Non-public minutes of the previous meeting To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2019. Minutes: The non-public minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 22 January 2019 were approved as an accurate record. |
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Outstanding actions from non-public minutes of previous meetings Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee noted a report of the Town Clerk which set out outstanding actions from previous non-public minutes of the Committee. |
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Report of the work of the Sub-Committees - non-public issues Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee received oral updates from Sub-Committee Chairmen which advised Members of the key discussions which had taken place during non-public session at recent meetings of the Committee’s Sub-Committees. |
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Draft Non-public minutes of Sub-Committees To note the draft non-public minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings: Minutes: The Committee noted the draft non-public minutes of the following Sub-Committee meetings: - Corporate Asset Sub-Committee held on 30 January 2019; - Digital Services Sub-Committee held on 4 February 2019; and - Joint Meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee & Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen held on 17 January 2019. |
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Draft non-public minutes of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee held on 30 January 2019 To receive the non-public minutes of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee’s meeting on 30 January 2019. Minutes: The non-public minutes of the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee meeting held on 30 January 2019 were noted. |
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Draft non-public minutes of the Digital Services Sub-Committee held on 4 February 2019 To receive the non-public minutes of the Digital Services Sub-Committee held on 4 February 2019. Minutes: The non-public minutes of the Information Systems Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2019 were noted.
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Non-Public Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee and Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen To receive the non-public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen.
Minutes: RESOLVED – that the non-public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee and Efficiency and Performance Sub Committee with Committee Chairmen be noted. |
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Non-Public Appendix for Central Contingencies Report Report of the Chamberlain.
NB:- The accompanying report is to be considered in the public part of the agenda under item 10. Minutes: Members received the non-public appendix for the Central Contingencies report (item 10). |
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Admitted Body Status for the Supplier for Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: Members considered a report concerning the Admitted Body Status for the Supplier for Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services. |
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City of London Freemen's School - application to the City for a loan to fund its Masterplan Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School Minutes: Members received a report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School concerning the application to the City for a loan to fund the Freemen’s Estate Development Plan (previously known as the ‘Masterplan’). |
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Asset Management Service Based Review - Report and Recommendations Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The Committee considered a report outlining recommendations from the Asset Management Service Based Review. |
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GLA Roads - Land Dispute with Transport for London Joint report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor and the City Surveyor. Minutes: Members considered a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor and the City Surveyor concerning a land dispute between the City Corporation and Transport for London (TfL). |
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Priorities Investment Pot (PIP) - Approved Bids Progress Report Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: Members received a report of the Chamberlain setting out a progress report of approved bids against the Priorities Investment Pot (PIP). |
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Non-Domestic Rates - Review of Discretionary Rate Relief Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: At this point of the meeting, the Committee became inquorate and item 35 concerning a review of discretionary rate relief on non-domestic rates was deferred to the next meeting of the Finance Committee, under Standing Order No. 36(c). |
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Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no non-public questions relating to the work of the Committee. |
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Any Other Business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded Minutes: There were no items of urgent business. |