Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015 were approved.  

To consider a resolution of the House Committee of Guildhall Club of 14 December 2015.

The Committee considered a resolution of the House Committee of Guildhall requesting that consideration be given to the introduction of a salary sacrifice scheme in order to assist staff with the fees for the Freedom.

Members were advised that the Establishment Committee had also considered the suggestion and it had concluded the cost of administering such a scheme would outweigh any benefit and therefore it was not supportive. The Freedom Applications Committee supported the Establishment Committee’s view.

RESOLVED – that the House Committee of Guildhall be advised that as the cost of administering a salary sacrifice scheme would outweigh any benefit, this Committee was not supportive of the introduction of a staff salary sacrifices scheme to assist staff with the fees for the Freedom.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the circulation of guidance on the Freedom process for non-Members including the Livery.

Reference was made to ambassadorial Freedoms which emerge via the Livery and to the importance of the Remembrancer being consulted on nominations involving Ambassadors and senior politicians. It was therefore suggested that the Guidance be amended to include a reference to the City Corporation being consulted on nominations of this nature before the individual was approached.

RESOLVED – That:-

1.   the Chamberlain be requested to amend the Guidance to include a reference to consulting with the City Corporation on more prominent nominations such as Ambassadors and senior politicians; and

2.   the approval of the final wording of the Guidance be delegated to the Chairman prior to it being circulated to non-Members.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

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.

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: -

Item Nos.                                   Paragraph(s) in Schedule 12A

              9-10                                                            1

Part 2 – Non-Public Agenda

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2015 were approved.

The Chairman referred to a question he had received on the control mechanisms in place for Freedom nominations. Discussion ensued on the vetting procedures and it was agreed that the Chamberlain be requested to submit a paper on the vetting procedures currently carried out by the Chamberlain’s Court.

A Member, who was in attendance, also questioned whether the criteria for receipt of a FSN needed to be reviewed in light of the positive publicity which could be received by considering certain recipients. In addition he commented that freedoms for celebrities appeared to be discouraged even though they were often accompanied by significant publicity. The Committee acknowledged the good publicity received but did not feel it was necessary to review the criteria as a result.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration whilst the public were excluded.

Part 3 – Non-Public Confidential Agenda

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain submitting a composite list of potential recipients of a Freedom by Special Nomination (FSN).