Agenda and minutes

Resolved - That the minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

Resolved Unanimously - That, upon the imminent retirement from the Court of:

Neil Graham Morgan Redcliffe

this Court desires to place on record its warmest thanks for the service that he has given to the City of London over the past five years. Neil was elected as Alderman for the Ward of Bishopsgate in 2009 and, since that time, has served on a wide range of Committees including the Finance Committee, the Planning & Transportation Committee, and of course the Livery Committee. Neil’s family have a strong Livery connection and have been members of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers for several generations; many Members will continue to work with Neil through these Livery connections in the years to come.

On taking their leave, his colleagues and friends would like to express their very best wishes for a long, happy and healthy retirement from civic life in the City.

The Alderman was heard in reply.

Resolved unanimously – That the vote of thanks read informally at the last meeting of this Honourable Court be agreed, included in the Minutes of this meeting; and that it be fairly transcribed, signed by the Town Clerk and presented in a manner agreeable to the late Lord Mayor.

Resolved unanimously – That the Members of this Court take great pleasure in expressing to:

Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE, JP

their most sincere thanks for the distinguished way in which she has carried out the varied demands of the Office of Lord Mayor of the City of London over the past year.

She has been an exemplary ambassador for both the City of London and the United Kingdom, both at home and abroad, with diversity, sustainability, charity leadership and philanthropy the key themes of her year in Office. The “Power of Diversity” programme, which the Lord Mayor has championed since its launch in January, has now grown to encompass some 50 major employers.  The legacy of this programme will serve to help identify and promote the steps that the City, at all management levels, must take to maximise the energy and innovation that diversity can bring to business. As Lord Mayor she has taken the opportunity to address a wide range of City organisations about the business case for diversity and inclusion and she has supported a number of initiatives which will help to enable a broader discussion, at all levels, about how organisations interact with their diverse workforces. Her work with the Women’s Business Council and the Government Office for Equality throughout the year has been notable, and this commitment to diversity will see the Lord Mayor continue working with both the Senior Leaders' Forum and the mid-level network of affinity networks she has established, thus contributing towards a lasting

There was no report.

There was no policy statement.

There were no documents to be sealed.

(A list of names, together with those of the nominators, has been separately circulated).

The Chamberlain, in pursuance of the Order of this Court, presented a list of the under-mentioned, persons who had made applications to be admitted to the Freedom of the City by Redemption:-

The Remembrancer reported on measures introduced by Parliament which might

have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-.

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to Bridewell Royal Hospital, the Cripplegate Foundation, Museum of London and City of London School for Girls.

a)    Bridewell Royal Hospital (four vacancies, one for thebalance of a term expiring in November 2018 and three for the balance of terms expiring in November 2020)

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

(No contest)

Nominations received:-

*Deputy John Barker

NB: Three vacancies remain to be filled.

a)  Bridewell Royal Hospital (four vacancies, one for thebalance of a term expiring in November 2018 and three for terms expiring in November 2020)

     *denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

     Nominations received:-

     *John Alfred Barker, Deputy

     Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy John Barker to be appointed to Bridewell Royal Hospital for a term to expire in November 2020.

b) Cripplegate Foundation (two vacancies for five year terms beginning 1 January 2015 and expiring 31 December 2019)

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

(No contest)

Nominations received:-

*John Tomlinson, Deputy

*David Andrew Graves, Alderman

b) Cripplegate Foundation (two vacancies for five year terms beginning 1 January 2015 and expiring 31 December 2019)

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*John Tomlinson, Deputy

*David Andrew Graves, Alderman

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy John Tomlinson and Alderman David Graves to be appointed to the Cripplegate Foundation for the terms expiring in December 2019.

c) Museum of London (two vacancies for terms expiring at the end of November 2017)

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

Vivienne Littlechild, JP

Edward Lord, OBE, JP

*Julian Henry Malins, Q.C., Alderman

Jeremy Paul Mayhew, MA, MBA

Ann Marjorie Francesca Pembroke

Jeremy Lewis Simons, MSc

Graeme Martyn Smith

c)  Museum of London (two vacancies for terms expiring at the end of November 2017)

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

Vivienne Littlechild, JP

Edward Lord, OBE, JP

*Julian Henry Malins, Q.C., Alderman

Jeremy Paul Mayhew, MA, MBA

Ann Marjorie Francesca Pembroke

Jeremy Lewis Simons, MSc

Graeme Martyn Smith

Read.

The Court proceeded, in accordance with Standing Order No.10, to ballot on the foregoing vacancies.

The Lord Mayor requested the Chief Commoner and the Chairman of Finance Committee, or their representatives, to be scrutineers of the ballot.

Resolved – that the votes be counted at the conclusion of the Court and the result be printed in the Summons for the next meeting.

d) Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls (two vacanciesfor terms expiring in April 2017)

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

Emma Edhem

Christopher Michael Hayward

d)  Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls (two vacanciesfor terms expiring in April 2017)

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

Emma Edhem

Christopher Michael Hayward

Read.

The Court proceeded, in accordance with Standing Order No.10, to ballot on the foregoing vacancies.

The Lord Mayor requested the Chief Commoner and the Chairman of Finance Committee, or their representatives, to be scrutineers of the ballot.

Resolved – that the votes be counted at the conclusion of the Court and the result be printed in the Summons for the next meeting.

1) Alderman Ian Luder asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning the steps the City of London Corporation was taking to improve road safety at Ludgate Circus junction. In reply, the Chairman highlighted some of the joint working with Transport for London which had been undertaken to-date to improve signage and safety at the junction and agreed that more must be done to improve safety for all road users.

In response to a supplementary question, the Chairman concurred that any improvements should be made in the interests of all road users rather than seeking to promote one group’s interests ahead of another. He highlighted the concerns the City had raised regarding the Cycle Superhighway proposals at Ludgate Circus junction as an example of this.

In response to three further supplementary questions, the Chairman agreed to share regular updates following the recent fatality at the junction with both the Members of the Ward of Castle Baynard and those on the Planning and Transportation Committee, as well as giving thought to the role that Members might play in any joint Working Party with Transport for London. He also highlighted the Safer Lorries Scheme which the City was implementing with a view to improving road safety for all road users.

2) Oliver Lodge asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee about the role the City of London Corporation could play in helping to enhance the UK’s position as the world’s best place to do business. In reply, the Chairman highlighted the ongoing research and engagement the City of London Corporation was involved in around taxation, regulation, skills and infrastructure, as well as the programme of visits he and the Lord Mayor undertook, all of which contributed to improving the status of the

“That the Resolution of Thanks to the late Lord Mayor, passed by Common Hall on 29 September last, be presented in a form agreeable to her?”

a)    Resolved Unanimously  - That the vote of thanks to the late Lord Mayor, passed by Common Hall on 29^th September last, be presented in a form agreeable to her.

“That the Resolution of Thanks to Sir Paul Judge, Alderman and Adrian Waddingham, the late Sheriffs of the City, passed by Common Hall on 29 September last, be presented in a form agreeable to them?”

b)    Resolved Unanimously - That the vote of thanks to Sir Paul Judge, Alderman and Adrian Waddingham, the late Sheriffs of the City, passed by Common Hall on 29^th September last, be presented in a form agreeable to them.

There was no report.

(Deputy John Bennett, Chief Commoner)

21 October 2014

Applications for the Use of Guildhall

In accordance with the arrangements approved by the Court on 21 June 2001 for the approval of applications for the use of Guildhall, we now inform the Court of the following applications which have been agreed to:-

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation hosts a reception at the conclusion of the twentieth Commonwealth Lecture, which is to be held in Guildhall in March 2015.

The Commonwealth Lecture aims to stimulate understanding, discussion and debate on the Commonwealth, its role in world affairs, its institutions and its cultures.  It attracts a prestigious audience and media attention and has been held twice previously at Guildhall, in 2012 and 2013. The 2015 lecture, which has been arranged by the Commonwealth Secretary General, will be delivered by Helen Clark, who served three terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008.

This event will provide an opportunity for the City to further its institutional engagement with the Commonwealth, encouraging social, cultural and business relationships across the Commonwealth with attendees including politicians, senior government officials, diplomats, policy-makers, representatives of charitable organisations and community representatives from throughout the Commonwealth.

We recommend that appropriate hospitality therefore be granted and that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

This would be a Committee event.

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation hosts a reception at the conclusion of the twentieth Commonwealth Lecture, which is to be held in Guildhall in March 2015.

The Commonwealth Lecture aims to stimulate understanding, discussion and debate on the Commonwealth, its role in world affairs, its institutions and its cultures.  It attracts a prestigious audience and media attention and has been held twice previously at Guildhall, in 2012 and 2013. The 2015 lecture, which has been arranged by the Commonwealth Secretary General, will be delivered by Helen Clark, who served three terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008.

This event will provide an opportunity for the City to further its institutional engagement with the Commonwealth, encouraging social, cultural and business relationships across the Commonwealth with attendees including politicians, senior government officials, diplomats, policy-makers, representatives of charitable organisations and community representatives from throughout the Commonwealth.

We recommend that appropriate hospitality therefore be granted and that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

This would be a Committee event.

Read and agreed.

(Catherine McGuinness, Deputy)

16 October 2014

Appointment of Governor to City of London Academy Islington

The City of London Corporation holds responsibility for the appointment of a number of Governors to the several City Academies, as well as a number of other schools and educational institutions.

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Court of Common Council to nominate Reverend Dr Martin Dudley CC to the Board of Governors of the City of London Academy Islington. A printed and circulated report is now submitted for your consideration and we recommend that the Court agree the nomination set out within it.

The City of London Corporation holds responsibility for the appointment of a number of Governors to the several City Academies, as well as a number of other schools and educational institutions.

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Court of Common Council to nominate Reverend Dr Martin Dudley CC to the Board of Governors of the City of London Academy Islington. A printed and circulated report is now submitted for your consideration and we recommend that the Court agree the nomination set out within it.

Read and agreed.

21 November 2014

Trustee Appointment Rights to The Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation

The City of London Corporation currently holds trustee appointment rights to The Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation (Registered Charity 312500), an independent educational grant-making charity based in the City of London and operating in both the City and in Tower Hamlets.

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Court of Common Council to forgo its appointment rights, so that the Foundation may bring its governance into line with modern best-practice. A printed and circulated report is now submitted for your consideration and we recommend that the Court agree the proposal set out within the report.

The City of London Corporation currently holds trustee appointment rights to The Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation (Registered Charity 312500), an independent educational grant-making charity based in the City of London and operating in both the City and in Tower Hamlets.

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Court of Common Council to forgo its appointment rights, so that the Foundation may bring its governance into line with modern best-practice. A printed and circulated report is now submitted for your consideration and we recommend that the Court agree the proposal set out within the report.

In response to a question concerning the Foundation’s governance arrangements, the Chairman undertook to suggest to the body that a nominations committee with independent representation be established to consider future nominations to the Foundation.

Read and agreed.

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information which has been conveyed to the City Corporation in confidence by Her Majesty’s Government:-

a recommendation of the Hospitality Working Party concerning a matter of hospitality?”

Resolved – that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information which has been conveyed to the City Corporation in confidence by Her Majesty’s Government:-

Summary of exempt items considered whilst the public were excluded: -

a recommendation of the Hospitality Working Party concerning a matter of hospitality.