Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall. View directions

Contact: Charlotte Taffel
Tel: 0207 332 3801  Email: charlotte.taffel@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Peter Hewitt and Michael Welbank.

 ...  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 no declarations of interest.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 184 KB

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016 were approved as an accurate record.

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

4.

Outstanding References pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk detailing the outstanding references from the previous meeting and action taken to date.

 

Matters Arising

 

The Chairman requested that the updated sets of Guidance, for both Members and Livery Companies, be dated to ensure the latest versions were in use.

 

A Member questioned how the new Guidance would be circulated and accessible to Members. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that the Guidance would be part of the new E-Guide, which had been circulated to all Members of the Common Council which will be circulated every quarter.

 

The Chairman sought to raise the Committee’s concerns about an application for the freedom with the nominator.

 

RECEIVED.

 

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

5.

Chamberlain's Court Equality and Diversity Survey pdf icon PDF 719 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain on the Chamberlain’s Court Equality and Diversity Survey.

 

The Committee questioned what action could be taken to improve the diversity of those applying for the Freedom, and whether there were any obstacles to applicants that could discourage them from applying. It was also questioned if enough was being done in terms of positive communication and messaging surrounding the Freedom.

 

A Member suggested that Freedom by Patrimony could be a potential issue in relation to both the diversity of those applying for the Freedom, as well as issues of perception. Discussion ensued on the methodology used by Livery Companies with regard to Freedom by Patrimony.

 

The Livery composition was a clear indicator of equality and diversity, and the Committee agreed that this was an area that the Livery Committee should be actively promoting. It was noted that the Equality and Diversity Survey had been to the Livery Committee previously and it was proposed that both the Freedom Applications Committee and the Livery Committee could work together to encourage a more positive and open message and method regarding Freedom applications to improve equality and diversity.

 

The Committee suggested a number of ways that equality and diversity could be improved, for example working with City Academies and Schools, as well as considering sponsorships for example with Christ’s Hospital.

 

The Committee agreed that the Clerk to the Chamberlains Court would investigate options to improve equality and diversity in applications for the Freedom, and to raise the issue with the Livery Committee to address any barriers to applying for the Freedom.

 

RESOLVED – That:-

1)    The Clerk to the Chamberlains Court would investigate options of improving equality and diversity in applications for the Freedom with City Academies, Schools and sponsorships; and

2)    The Clerk to the Chamberlains

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

6.

Freedom Applications and Convictions

Minutes:

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Comptroller and City Solicitor regarding Freedom Applications and Convictions.

 

The Committee noted there were no means to assess whether potential applicants to the Freedom had criminal convictions, and discussion ensued on the discretion of the Committee in dealing with such cases. The Committee agreed that such applications should be considered on a case by case basis, and to operate with fairness and openness.

 

The Committee agreed that the Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court would amend the Freedom application form to ask applicants whether they have been convicted, unspent, and if so, to provide future details. The Committee agreed that the Comptroller and City Solicitor would produce guidance to accompany the application form with regard to criminal convictions.

 

RESOLVED – That:-

1)    The Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court amend the Freedom application form to include a section asking applicants whether they have been convicted, unspent, and if so, to provide future details; and

2)    The Comptroller and City Solicitor produce guidance to accompany the application form with regard to criminal convictions.

 

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

7.

Questions on Matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

8.

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 8.

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 the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

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

9.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016 were approved as an accurate record.

 

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

10.

Questions on matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no non-public questions.

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

11.

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 non-public urgent business.

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

12.

Confidential Minutes

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2016 were approved as an accurate record.

 

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

13.

Vetting of Candidates and Potential Damage to the Reputational Image of the City of London

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain on the vetting of candidates.

 

RECEIVED.

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

14.

Freedom by special nomination - Composite list of potential recipients

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain regarding recipients of the Freedom by Special nomination.

 

RECEIVED.

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