Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Mark Boleat, Alderman Sir Roger Gifford, Deputy the Revd. Stephen Haines, Graham Packham, Emma Price, Deputy Gerald Pulman, Delis Regis and Alderman David Graves.

Deputy Giles Shilson declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 19 as the Principal Executive Officer of the Honourable Artillery Company.  

Order of the Court of Common Council dated 1 May 2014 appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council, 1 May 2014 appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

RESOLVED – That the Order be noted.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee moved to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Town Clerk read a list of Members eligible to stand and Vivienne Littlechild being the only Member indicating her willingness to serve was declared Chairman for the year ensuing.

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To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Board moved to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Town Clerk advised the Board that John Scott, as immediate past Chairman, had opted to take up his right to serve as Deputy Chairman. John Scott was therefore declared Deputy Chairman for the year ensuing.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: THAT at the conclusion of his term of office as their Chairman, the Members of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee wish to extend to

John George Stewart Scott, J.P.

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the manner in which he has presided over their deliberations over the past three years. As the first Chairman of this Committee he has successfully developed and established the role of the Committee and has carried out the many and varied tasks expected of the Chairman with detailed care and interest. This service, coupled with his years’ service as Chairman of the Libraries, Archives and Guildhall Art Gallery Committee, has made a real impact, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

His detailed knowledge of, and involvement with the rich culture and heritage offers within the City, together with his enthusiasm for the renewal of the City Corporation’s Libraries has been of immense value to the Committee. His term of office has seen the production of new Cultural and Visitor Strategies for the City, the opening of Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, approval of a new Heritage Gallery in Guildhall Art Gallery, and records broken for income and visitor numbers at Tower Bridge and other key City attractions. Throughout the years, his support of partnership working with the City of London Festival together with new initiatives such as ‘Sculpture in the City’ has made a real difference to the City and its visitor experience.

His active engagement with the Worshipful Company of Carmen in re-establishing their link with the Committee is also to be commended.

Finally, the Committee wish to convey to him their thanks and good wishes for his future health and happiness.

To approve the public minutes of the meeting held on

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 3 March 2014 be approved.

To receive the minutes of the Benefices Sub Committee meeting held on 3 March 2014.

RESOVLED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the Benefices Sub-Committee held on 3 March 2014 be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the appointment of Sub Committees for the ensuing year (2014/15).

RESOLVED – That the following Memberships be agreed: -

Reference Sub Committee

Benefices Sub Committee

Keats House Consultative Committee

Keats Foundation

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk recommending changes to the format and production of the City of London Pocketbook.

Discussion ensued as to whether the embossing of Members’ initials on the front of the leather sleeves was a necessary expense. Members agreed to defer further consideration of this question to a future point at which point the practice would be reviewed.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the recommendations of the Working Party be endorsed and implemented for the 2014 City of London Pocketbook;

b)    the embossing of Members initials on leather sleeves be reviewed before the next batch is ordered in 2018; and

c)    that the Town Clerk advise the General Purposes Committee of the Court of Alderman of the changes to the City of London Pocketbook through circulation of the report for information.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries seeking approval to the recommendations of the City Arts Initiative following their latest meeting.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries responded that all proceeds from the Paddington Bear Trail and related merchandise would go to charity.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the Paddington Bear Trail application be approved, subject to a reduction in the number of sculptures (from ten to five);

b)    Fields of Battle, Land of Peace 14-18 be approved subject to funding being secured; and

c)    the SANE: Black Dog Campaign statue be rejected.

Presentation by the Principal Curator, Keats House.

The Committee received a verbal update of the Principal Curator, Keats House in relation to funding at Keats House.

In response to a Member’s question, the Principal Curator confirmed that her team worked closely with colleagues across the City Corporation in promoting events at the house.

In response to another Member’s question, the Principal Curator undertook to look into car parking space as part of the Heath Car Park.

RESOLVED ­– That the report be noted.

Presentation by the Visitor Services and Services Director.

The Committee received a presentation by staff at Tower Bridge relating to its learning and community engagement offer.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries responded that wherever possible, the City sought to work with the Tower of London to attract visitors.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (see separate pack).

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries seeking approval to the departmental business plan 2014-15.

RESOLVED – That the contents and underlying policy of the attached business plan documents, be approved.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries seeking approval to renew the City Corporation Cultural Strategy.

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries clarified that Gresham College would be included in consultation over the revised strategy.

RESOLVED – That,

a)     the proposal for the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries to begin work on a revised Cultural Strategy for 2015/20, be agreed;

b)    the process outlined in Appendix 2 of the report for achieving this, be adopted; and

c)     the new strategy be presented to your Committee in winter 2014/15.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a presentation by the Chief Executive of Spitalfields Music updating the Committee on the activities of that organisation and outlining the importance of the City Corporation grant to the work it carries out.

RESOLVED ­- That the update be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries providing details of the promotional activities and events planned in celebration of the 120th Anniversary of the opening of Tower Bridge by the Prince and Princess of Wales on 30 June 1894.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the proposals outlined in the report be agreed; and

b)    an outturn report be produced and brought to the committee following the event.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries advising the committee of a European Succeed Award which had been received by the London Metropolitan Archives and University College London for their work in the preservation of the Great Parchment Book.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries providing an overview of activities within the Culture, Heritage and Libraries department to commemorate the First World War.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a report providing Members with an update on items presented to Lord Mayors since 2010 and received by London Metropolitan Archives for the Lord Mayors Gifts collection.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries seeking approval to expenditure in support of the 800^th Anniversary of Magna Carta. commemorations.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

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.

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.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2014.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2014 be approved.

To receive the non-public minutes of the Benefice Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 March 2014.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the Benefices Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 March 2014 be approved.

There were no questions.

There was one urgent item.