Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That the minutes of the Courts of Aldermen held on 29^th October and 8^th November 2013 were correctly recorded.

The minutes of the Court of Common Council were laid upon the table.

Resolved unanimously – That this Court wishes to convey to –

Alderman Roger Gifford

its sincere appreciation and thanks for the distinguished service he has given as Lord Mayor of the City of London during the past year.

Throughout his Mayoralty, Roger Gifford has travelled extensively, both within the UK and overseas including the Gulf, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and Latin America.  The range of overseas visits, which has resulted in over 100 days abroad in the last twelve months, highlights a very real commitment to maintaining a programme of engagement with both existing and opportunity markets.  Engagement with the European Union has been an important feature of the Mayoral year, resulting in a programme of visits and the hosting of high level inward delegations at Mansion House, involving all twenty-eight member states. 

In addition to his overseas visit programme, Roger has, like his predecessors, devoted a significant amount of time to strengthening the City’s links with the wider national economy.  As well as taking the opportunity to promote his overseas visits programme, visits to regional centres such Leeds, Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh have also informed discussions in the international arena and ensured that the Lord Mayor has remained representative of the views of the entire UK based financial and professional services industry.  With a background in finance within international markets, Roger was well placed to deliver a holistic Mayoral programme that sought to raise the City’s profile at home and abroad and enhance its reputation as a leading international financial centre, whilst also highlighting the City’s valuable contribution to arts, culture and creative industries.  Whilst the year has been challenging and demanding, the Lord Mayor has remained enthusiastic, committed and charming at all times.  

Roger’s commitment and enthusiasm have also been unfailing in respect of

Vote of thanks to Sir Robert Gerard Finch:

Resolved unanimously – That upon his retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Coleman Street, this Court desires to place on record its most sincere appreciation of the service that he has given to the City Corporation and, in particular, to this Court, over the past 21 years.

Sir Robert was elected as Alderman for the Ward of Coleman Street in 1992 and subsequently elected to the Office of Sheriff in 1999.  In 2003, as the City’s 676^th Lord Mayor, he carried out the demanding role with real commitment and undertook a full programme of City and foreign events, including delegations to over 33 countries and the re-opening of Wren’s Temple Bar at its new location in Paternoster Square on 10^th November 2004. 

Following his apprenticeship in the City of London as an Articled Clerk in 1963, Sir Robert went on to qualify as a solicitor in 1968 and subsequently became a partner in Linklaters’ real estate practice in 1974.  He enjoyed an impressive career spanning 36 years and was heavily involved in a variety of national and international schemes and transactions for City institutions.  Sir Robert’s legal and business acumen ensured that he was ably equipped to promote the Square Mile and the Financial City widely and with great success during his Mayoral year and he was subsequently awarded a knighthood in 2004 for his services to the City of London.

Property and planning have been areas of particular interest to Sir Robert throughout both his professional career and his service on this Court, as demonstrated by his membership of the Planning and Transportation (formerly Planning and Communications) Committee for eight years; his membership of the City Lands and Bridge House Estates Committee and, in more recent years,

The Comptroller & City Solicitor reported that at a Wardmote held on 29^th November 2013 for the election of an Alderman for the Ward of Coleman Street, Peter Kenneth Estlin was duly elected as Alderman of the Ward.

Received.

Mr Estlin made and subscribed the declaration for the due execution of the Office and the Oath of Allegiance.

Mr. Chamberlain presented the names of one hundred and twenty-eight persons to be made free of this City, and it is Ordered that they be admitted into the Freedom of this City accordingly, as follows:-

Name                                                        Company

Lucy Sonia Elizabeth Blackwell                 Fishmongers

An application of the following Freeman by Patrimony to be recorded in the Company named:-

Name                                                    Company

Lucy Sonia Elizabeth Blackwell            Fishmongers

Name                                  Company

Gavin Ashley Davis             Hackney Carriage Drivers

An application of the following Freeman in the Company named:-

Name                              Company

Gavin Ashley Davis         Hackney Carriage Drivers

Petition by Alderman Ian Luder

Of the Company of Arts Scholars praying to become the 110^th Livery Company of the City of London.

By Alderman Ian Luder

Of the Guild of Arts Scholars praying to become the 110^th Livery Company of the City of London. 

Read and referred to the General Purposes Committee for examination and report, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Comptroller & City Solicitor and the Director (Culture, Heritage and Libraries), being instructed to report thereon.