Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Chloe Rew
tel. no.: 020 7332 1427  Email: chloe.rew@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Deputy John Absalom, Sir Mark Boleat, Tijs Broeke, Alderman John Garbutt, Deputy the Reverend Stephen Haines, James de Sausmarez and Mark Wheatley.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were none.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary  of the meeting held on 22 October 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held 22 October 2018 be approved as an accurate record, subject to the following amendment – Deputy John Bennett was in attendance.

 

Matters Arising:

 

Artizan Street Library Opening Hours: A Member stated that they had contributed to the Aldgate Ward News publication advising readers of the library’s opening hours.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Draft Minutes from the Benefices Sub Committee pdf icon PDF 56 KB

To receive the draft minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 5 October 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the draft minutes of the meeting of the Benefices Sub-Committee held on 5 October 2018 be received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

To appoint a Member to the Benefices Sub Committee

Town Clerk to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Town Clerk was heard in respect of an outstanding vacancy on the Benefices Sub-Committee. Mr. Ian Seaton, who met the desirable criteria of being a communicant member of the Church of England, had expressed a willingness to serve.

 

RESOLVED – That Ian Seaton be appointed to the Benefices Sub-Committee.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Annual Review of the Committee's Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.  

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the Terms of Reference and frequency of meetings of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee. The report proposed adding the following to the Committee’s Terms of Reference, to be brought to the Policy and Resources Committee and the Court of Common Council:

 

a)    London’s Roman Amphitheatre and the City of London Heritage Gallery (under Guildhall Art Gallery);

b)    The City of London’s Outdoor Arts Programme (using the old City of London Festival Budget);

c)    City Arts Initiative (approving recommendations for artworks in the public realm);

d)    The Guildhall Yard Public Programme (event content only);

e)    City of London Police Museum (as approved by the Committee at its last meeting)

RESOLVED –That,

a)    the Terms of Reference of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee be approved for submission to the Annual Meeting of the Court of Common Council, 2019, to include the additional points (a-e) as set out above.

b)    the Committee continues to meet six times per year.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Brexit Update

Directors to be heard – as appropriate.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Head of Barbican and Community Libraries was heard in respect of the contract established between Sopra Steria and ‘Libraries Connected’, which will assist non-UK nationals in applying for visas, residency and Citizenship via the capture of biometric data. Barbican and Community Libraries are amongst the UK public libraries which are participating. Shoe Lane Library had launched the service, and the Barbican Library would follow shortly.

 

RESOLVED – That the oral update be received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Capital and Revenue Budgets 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 378 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the revenue and capital budgets overseen by the Committee. The report sought the approval of the provisional revenue budget for 2019/20, for subsequent submission to the Finance Committee.

 

The Chamberlain advised that there had been increases in costs due to wage increases, changes in holiday pay for weekend working, incremental rises and re-grading. The Chairman requested a subsequent report to be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the 2% service-based review cuts, how they would be accomplished and what the impact of the reductions would be, in addition to the treatment of maternity pay as either a central or local risk budget item. The agreement on the next year’s budget was conditional upon the Committee receiving and reviewing this additional information.

 

The recommendation to agree additional funding for the Guildhall Art Gallery of £269,000 in the 2019/20 revenue budgets, subject to the agreement of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee, would be considered under the confidential item on today’s agenda.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

a)    review the provisional 2019/20 revenue budget to ensure that it reflects the Committee’s objectives and, if so, approve the budget for submission to the Finance Committee;

b)    authorise the Chamberlain, in consultation with the Directors of Community and Children’s Services, Open Spaces, and the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director, to revise these budgets to allow for any further implications arising from Corporate Projects, other reviews and changes to the Cyclical Works Programme;

c)    review and approve the draft capital budget;

d)    agree that any minor changes to 2018/19 latest and 2019/20 original budgets arising from the exercise be delegated to the Chamberlain;

e)    delegate to the Chamberlain any minor budget changes for 2018/19 and 2019/20 as a result of the completion of

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Departmental Business Plan 2018/19 - Six month performance update for Keats House (Registered Charity No 1053381) pdf icon PDF 214 KB

Report  of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning a six-month performance update by Keats House against the 2018/19 Open Spaces Department Business Plan. The update highlights progress against programmes and projects, six monthly performance indicator data and includes achievements under the business plan’s three main objectives (‘open spaces and historic sites are thriving and accessible; spaces enrich people’s lives; business practices are responsible and sustainable.)

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Keats house pricing review (Registered Charity No 1053381) - 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning the proposed changes to admission prices to Keats House, and private hire rates for Keats House and Ten Keats Grove for the financial year 2019/20. Members noted that this item had been discussed at length at the Keats House Consultative Committee on 5 October 2018:

 

During the discussion on this item, the following points were noted:

 

 

  • There was some difference of opinion expressed about the senior concessions rate but support generally for concessions, as they could attract a more diverse and wider audience beyond the local area.

 

  • It was noted that the concession age applied to those in full time Education, so that students who turn 18 during the school year would not be excluded.

 

  • A Member advised that reducing the senior rate would encourage senior citizens to visit and bring their grandchildren; demonstrating an investment in younger generations.

 

  • Members noted that Keats House did not routinely take addresses, but general face-to-face surveys conducted in the Museum captured countries and postcodes. A postcode was also required to receive the Camden preferential rate.

 

  • Keats House would continue to work in partnership with the National Trust and the Art Fund

 

RESOLVED – That Members approve the proposed admission price and private hire rates outlined in the report as detailed in Appendix 2.

 

Ticket type

Current Charges

Proposed 2019-20 Charges

Full price

£6.50

£7.50

Senior

£5.50 (over 65s)

Included in Concession (below)

Concession

£4.50 (students, unemployed and people with a disability)

£4.50 (60 and over, students, unemployed and people with a disability)

 

Community rate ticket

N/A

£2 (for residents of LB Camden and the City of London)

Child

FREE (aged 17 and under)

FREE (aged 18 and under)

National Trust Member

£3.25 (tied at 50% of full price ticket)

£3.75 (tied

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

City Outdoor Arts Programme: Review of 2018 activities

A presentation from the Cultural and Visitor Development Director and Head of Cultural Programming and Partnerships.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from the Cultural and Visitor Development Director and Head of Cultural Programming and Partnerships, which provided a comprehensive review of the City Outdoor Arts Programme across 2018, complementing the report considered under the next item.

 

The presentation also outlined events for next year’s major thematic campaign and programme – Fantastic Feats: the Building of London. Focussing on a series of anniversaries including 125 years of Tower Bridge, 200 years since the births of Joseph Bazalgette (of London Sewers fame) and Horace Jones (architect of Leadenhall, Smithfield and Old Billingsgate Markets), and 150 years since the opening of Blackfriars Bridge and Holborn Viaduct as well as the opening of Illuminated River, the programme will celebrate the art of invention, and the monumental engineering and architectural achievements that have made London great. London Festival of Architecture, Illuminated River and Greenwich and Docklands International Festival are already secured as major presenting partners.

 

In addition, provisional themes for the next five years were also proposed. These included:

 

2020 – Migration: a celebration of the City’s communities at home and abroad;

2021 – A Thing of Beauty from Keats to contemporary thought (an exploration of “beauty” – a major recurring theme of Keats work; noting the poet was born in the City and 2021 is 200 years since his death);

 

2022: Celebrate the City 2/Too (a celebration of the City’s contribution to the world, noting a number of banking anniversaries occur in this year and there are currently central Government plans to coordinate a “Festival of Britain” type event post Brexit);

 

2023 – From Dome to Dome: From Greenwich to Docklands and the City (a celebration of anniversaries of the Millennium Dome and Docklands redevelopment and the City’s connections and partnerships with both areas);

 

2024 – Poets and Hacks:

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

City Arts Programme - request for continuance of funding pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director concerning a request for continued funding for the City Outdoor Arts Programme for a further five years after the current funding agreement ends (2020/2021).

 

Future proposed programmes include Migration (2020), a celebration of the City’s diverse communities; A Thing of Beauty (2021), focusing on Keats; Celebrate the City Too (2022) to celebrate creativity and innovation in the City; Dome to Dome (2023) and Poets and Hacks (2024) (as noted in Item 11).

 

During the discussion on this report, the following points were noted:

 

·         A Member was pleased to see the focus on women and diverse histories such as Black History Month being addressed in the arts programming, suggesting also that the positive elements of diversity that have existed for centuries should also be highlighted.

 

·         In response to a Member’s question, the Cultural and Visitor Development Director advised that some events, such as Pearly Kings and Queens and Cart Marking, cannot accommodate larger crowds because of the limitations of the Guildhall Yard or the event’s overall footprint. It is therefore not possible to promote these events widely for health and safety reasons, as well as to save potential disappointment for audiences who may try to access them unsuccessfully. In response to a second part to this Member’s question, the Director advised that the self-guided walks leaflets produced by the Visitor Development Team would continue but that, with budgetary constraints, it may be necessary to prioritise which walks are continued (based on their popularity).

 

·         A Member suggested making more use of Leadenhall Market as it is covered and dry. Another Member shared a similar idea, suggesting linking properties to people/ groups and milestone dates to engage the public with City buildings.

 

·         The Director advised that the team is

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

City Arts Initiative: recommendations to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director which outlined the recommendations of the City Arts Initiative to the Committee re proposals for public art projects.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee,

a)    note the application for the Green Finance Sculpture, acknowledging that the CAI may not recommend, and the Committee may not approve or decline applications for public art on private land;

b)    ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations in relation to the other two proposals as follows:

-          Tideway, Black Stages: approve

-          Tideway, Poetry: approve, subject to confirmation of the final font and font size being received by the CAI for comment.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Inspiring London through Culture: Revisions to Eligibility Criteria pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director concerning seeking approval for amendments to the awarding criteria of the Inspiring London Through Culture theme of the Central Grants Programme.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the amendments to the Inspiring London through Culture eligibility criteria as tracked in appendix 1.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

City Visitor Strategy - 2019/23 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director, which sought the Committee’s approval and comments of the new draft of the City of London Visitor Strategy for 2019-2023.

 

During the discussion on this item, the following points were noted:

 

·         Sport was not covered by any City Corporation Committee and there were mixed views as to whether it should fall within the remit of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, as it might divert funding from Culture. Members noted that the hosting of high-profile sporting events such as the 2012 Olympics London Landmarks Half Marathon and Tour de France would continue, and that Visitor Development will continue to play a role in these, delivering the visitor welcome. The Cultural and Visitor Development Director also advised that City workers generally were very interested in sport, but that space restraints in the City can preclude a lot of activity (i.e. the lack of pitch size areas for field events). The Outdoor Arts Programme will continue to seek to deliver sporting activity for workers within these limitations.

 

·         In specific relation to the Strategy, it was also suggested that fashion be promoted more strongly in the City; i.e. the unique Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields offers.

 

·         A Member expressed concern regarding the impact of coaches on the City’s efforts to be a Zero Emission Zone. The Director advised that the relevant City departments had been consulted on this matter.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee,

a)    approve and provide feedback on the draft City of London Visitor Destination Strategy (2019-2023) as shown in appendix 1; and

b)    note that the Committee will be asked to approve any significant amendments arising from the committee journey detailed in the report, endorsing the Strategy’s submission to the Court of Common Council in the spring

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Revisions to Guildhall Art Gallery's Collections Development Policy pdf icon PDF 66 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director concerning the revision of Guildhall Art Gallery’s collection development policy. The policy has been adjusted to reflect the Gallery’s commitment to having a collection that reflects wider London.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee review and approve the revised Collection Development Policy.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

The Chief Commoner advised that there will be a volunteers reception on Wednesday 30 January 2019 from 18:00-19:30. The Chief Commoner encouraged Members and Officers to make volunteers aware of the event so their work can be acknowledged.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Any other business the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

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 the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item

Paragraph

20-22

3

25

1-4

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Non-Public Minutes

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 22nd October 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 22 October 2018 were approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Draft Non-Public Minutes of the Benefices Sub Committee

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5th October 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Benefices Sub-Committee Meeting held on 5 October 2018 were received.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Tower Bridge (Bridge House Estates Charity Registration No.1035628) and Monument Performance Report April to September 2018

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to Tower Bridge and Monument Performance Report for April to September 2018.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Guildhall Art Gallery

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Culture Mile Director.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

A report was considered of the Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director in confidential session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.