Agenda and minutes

The Chief Commoner welcomed a new Alderman, Gregory Percy Jones QC, to his first meeting of the Court of Common Council as an Alderman. Alderman Jones was heard in reply.

The apologies of those Members unable to attend this meeting of the Court were noted.

There were none.

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 12 January 2017.

Resolved – That the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

The Chief Commoner spoke to express the gratitude of the Court to the following Members, who would not be seeking re-election at the forthcoming Common Council elections:

• Revd. Dr William Goodacre Campbell-Taylor
• Nigel Kenneth Challis
• Dennis Cotgrove
• Revd. Dr Martin Raymond Dudley
• Deputy Anthony Noel Eskenzi, CBE
• George Marr Flemington Gillon, MBE
• Deputy Brian Nicholas Harris
• Professor John Stuart Penton Lumley
• Emma Charlotte Louisa Price
• Delis Regis
• Angela Mary Starling
• Patrick Thomas Streeter
• David James Thompson.

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent overseas visits.

The Lord Mayor reported on his recent visits to China, Hong Kong and South Korea.

To receive a statement from the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee.

There was no statement.

Sundry documents were sealed with the Hospital Seal.

To consider a circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City.

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:-

To receive a report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation.

The Court received a report on measures introduced by Parliament which might have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-

The Town Clerk to report the outcome of the ballots taken at the last Court:

¬ denotes appointed.

(A)      One Member to the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

(B)      One Member to The City Bridge Trust Committee.

The Town Clerk reported the results of two ballots taken at the last Court, as follows:-

One Member to the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Dominic Christian to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

One Member to The City Bridge Trust Committee.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Dhruv Patel to be appointed to The City Bridge Trust Committee.

To consider the following appointments:

(A)One Member on the Trust for London, for a term expiring in April 2022.

Nominations received:-

Peter Estlin, Alderman & Sheriff

(B)One Member on the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation, for a term expiring in March 2022.

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Marianne Bernadette Fredericks

(C)One Member on the City & Metropolitan Welfare Charity, for a term expiring in March 2021.

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Mark Raymond Peter Henry Delano Wheatley

(D)Two Members on the City Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, for terms expiring in March 2020.

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Jamie Ingham Clark, Deputy

(E)Three Members on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry, for terms expiring in March 2018.

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick, Deputy

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C., Alderman Elect

Prior to consideration of this item, a point of order was raised concerning the timing of the appointments to outside bodies to be considered at this meeting, given the forthcoming City-wide elections.

Motion – that all appointments to outside bodies be deferred until the first meeting after the Common Council elections on 23 March 2017.

Upon the Motion being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be lost.

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following outside bodies:

(A)      One Member on the Trust for London, for a term expiring in April 2022.

          Nominations received:-

          Peter Estlin, Alderman & Sheriff

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alderman & Sheriff Peter Estlin to be appointed to the Trust for London.

(B)    One Member on the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation, for a term expiring in March 2022.

          Nominations received:-

          Marianne Bernadette Fredericks

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Marianne Fredericks to be appointed to the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation.

(C)    One Member on the City and Metropolitan Welfare Charity, for a term expiring in March 2021.

          Nominations received:-

          Mark Raymond Peter Henry Delano Wheatley

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Mark Wheatley to be appointed to the City and Metropolitan Welfare Charity.

(D)    Two Members on the City Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, for terms expiring in March 2020.

          Nominations received:-

          Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

          Jamie Ingham Clark, Deputy

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Simon Duckworth and Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark to be appointed to the City Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

(E)     Three Members on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry, for terms expiring in March 2018.

          Nominations received:-

          Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick, Deputy

          Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

          Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C., Alderman

          Read.

            Whereupon the Lord

(A)      To appoint five Common Councilmen to The Honourable The Irish Society, for three year terms expiring in March 2020:

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Peter Gerard Dunphy

Ann Holmes

*Wendy Hyde

Vivienne Littlechild, J.P.

Jeremy Paul Mayhew

*Hugh Fenton Morris

Jeremy Simons

(B)  To note that Alderman Vincent Keaveny has been nominated by the Court of Aldermen and endorse his appointment for a three-year term, expiring March 2020, on The Honourable The Irish Society.

(C)  To note that Alderman Sir David Wootton will serve as Governor for the year ensuing.

a)    The Court proceeded to consider the appointment of five Common Councilmen to The Honourable The Irish Society for terms of three years.

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Peter Gerard Dunphy

Ann Holmes

*Wendy Hyde

Vivienne Littlechild, J.P.

*Hugh Fenton Morris

Jeremy Paul Mayhew

Jeremy Lewis Simons

Read.

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

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

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

b)    The Court proceeded to endorse the Court of Aldermen’s nomination to The Honourable The Irish Society of Alderman Vincent Keaveny, for a three-year term.

c)    The Court noted that Alderman Sir David Wootton would serve as Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society for the year ensuing, with a Deputy Governor to be appointed by the Court of The Honourable The Irish Society.

St Lawrence Jewry

John Scott asked a question of the Chairman of the Finance Committee concerning a project to repair St Lawrence Jewry.

Responding, the Chairman provided the background to the project and a summary of progress to date, as well as the associated legal complexities. He updated Members on the likely funding requirements and work being undertaken with the Church’s Grants Application Advisor to identify fundraising capabilities and a possible Heritage Lottery Fund bid. He added that a report seeking a decision on the way forward would be presented to the Finance and Policy and Resources Committees in May.

Until such time as the issue had been considered by these Committees, it was not within his power to make any further announcement on the restoration of St Lawrence Jewry; however, he undertook to expedite the matter as far as possible.

Remuneration of Members

The Revd. William Campbell-Taylor asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the remuneration of Members and its possible impact on the diversity of the Court of Common Council.

In reply, the Chairman identified a number of factors which might have an impact on the diversity of the Court, including remuneration. He reminded Members of the work that had been undertaken over the past few years to look at the potential barriers which might deter people from standing for election, including outreach and engagement activity with City workers and a review of the City Corporation’s own working practices, including the timing of meetings. Given the closeness of Members to issues such as this, the Chief Executive of East Sussex County Council had been asked to undertake a review which would provide an external objective perspective on this issue. Her findings were due to be reported to the Policy and Resources Committee

There were no motions.

To receive a report of the Chairman of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee advising of the recent receipt of an award.

The Court received a report of the Chairman of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee, advising that the City of London Corporation had been awarded a Platinum Grade by the British Toilet Association for all four of its attended toilets.

To consider reports of the Finance Committee, as follows:

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

(A)City Fund 2017/18 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy – to approve the budget for 2017/18.

21 February 2017

(A) City Fund 2017/18 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Court proceeded to consider a report of the Finance Committee presenting the overall financial position of the City Fund (i.e. the Corporation’s finances relating to Local Government, Police and Port Health services) recommending that:

·           the Council Tax for 2017/18 remain unchanged from 2016/17; and

·           the Business Rate Premium be unchanged.

The Chairman spoke to introduce the budget and clarify a number of elements, following which a number of Members took the opportunity to ask questions.

Noting the provision of £400,000 for adult social care, a Member spoke to seek assurances that the money would be used to prevent, as far as possible, any delayed hospital discharges involving City residents. Replying, the Chairman observed the distinction between provision and allocation of a budget, observing that the case would need to be made by the Community and Children’s Services Committee for the funds to be allocated. He agreed that such delays should be minimised as far as possible and suggested that the Chairman might, accordingly, wish to use a decrease in such delays as an objective or measure of success in making his case for funds to be allocated.

Responding to a plea from a Member for a more ambitious approach to tackling the underlying causes and issues associated with rough sleeping and homelessness, the Chairman expressed sympathy with the view that a shift away from a merely reactive strategy to a more proactive one would be beneficial. He highlighted the work of The City Bridge Trust and the City Corporation’s other charitable arms in this field and urged the Member to engage with the Trust’s current quinquennial review, suggesting that this might be factored into its future strategy. Members also noted the Social Investment Board’s recent

(B) Revenue and Capital Budgets 2016/17 and 2017/18 – to receive the latest revenue budgets for 2016/17, approve the revenue budgets for 2017/18, and approve the capital budgets.

21 February 2017

(B) Revenue and Capital Budgets 2016/17 and 2017/18

The Court was presented with a report which summarised the revenue and capital budgets for each of the City’s three main funds, City Fund, City’s Cash and Bridge House Estates together with the budgets for central support services within Guildhall Administration (which initially ‘holds’ such costs before these are wholly apportioned).  The report accompanied the Summary Budget Book which includes all the City’s budgets at a summary level in a single document and was available in the Members’ Reading Room and on the City Corporation’s website.

The Court was recommended to approve the revenue  and  capital  budgets  for  City’s  Cash,  Bridge  House  Estates  and Guildhall Administration for the financial year 2017/18 (the budgets for City Fund having already been considered under part A above).

Resolved - That:-

·           the latest revenue budgets for 2016/17 be noted;

·           the 2017/18 revenue budgets be approved;

·           the capital budgets be approved;  and

·           authority be delegated to the Chamberlain to determine the financing of the capital budgets.

Further resolved - That the thanks of the Court be given to the Chairman of the Finance Committee for his introduction to the budget reports before the Court this day and that a copy be circulated to every Member in the usual way.

To consider reports of the Policy and Resources Committee, as follows:

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Mark Boleat)

(A)      Proposed Amendments to Standing Orders – proposing amendments to Standing Orders relating to the disposal of property assets.

16 February 2017

(A) Proposed Amendments to Standing Orders in relation to disposal of property assets

In July 2016, the Finance Committee conducted a review of the operations of its Sub-Committees. One of the proposals emerging from that review was that the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee (CASC) be responsible for decisions regarding the disposal of properties which had been declared as surplus to the Corporation’s operational requirements (and which were not suitable as investment property assets).

The proposal was that, when properties were declared as surplus to the City Corporation’s operational requirements, the City Surveyor’s Investment Property Group would be given the opportunity to determine whether it would wish for the properties in question to be retained as investment property assets. Properties would only be passed to CASC if they are not appropriate as investment property assets.

In order to enact this proposal, an amendment was required to the Standing Orders which governed the disposal of property assets (Standing Orders 56 and 57) to provide authority to CASC for these transactions. Proposed wording for the amended Standing Orders was set out at Appendix 1 to the report and the Court was recommended to approve the changes.

Resolved – That approval be given to the amendment of Standing Order No. 56 and Standing Order No. 57, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

(B)    Report of Urgent Action Taken: London Councils Grant Scheme Levy – reporting on action taken under urgency procedures in approving the 2017/18 London Councils Grants Scheme Levy.

6 February 2017

(B) Report of Urgent Action Taken: London Councils Grants Scheme 2016/17 Levy

The City of London Corporation is responsible for issuing the annual levies for subscriptions to all the constituent councils of the London Councils Grants Scheme (LCGS).  The Court of Common Council can only consider the levies if at least two-thirds of the constituent councils (i.e. 22 out of 33 of the London local authorities) have approved the total expenditure to be incurred under the Grants Scheme.

Having received confirmation from London Councils that the budget had been agreed by over two thirds of the Constituent Councils, the approval of the Court was sought under the urgency procedures to issue the levies before the statutory deadline of 15 February 2017. 

The Court of Common Council was therefore recommended to note that on 6 February 2016, approval was given in accordance with Standing Order No. 19 to issue the levies as set out in the appendix to the report.

Resolved – That the report be received.

To consider reports of the Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources

Committee, as follows:

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Michael Welbank, M.B.E., Chief Commoner)

(A)  Applications for the Use of Guildhall – to note the prior approval of the listed applications for the use of Guildhall.

For Information

16 February 2017

(A) 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, the Court was informed of the following applications which had been agreed to:-

(B) Applications for Hospitality – to consider three recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

For Decision

16 February 2017

(B) Applications for Hospitality

(i)        Reception to mark the 60^th Anniversary of the rededication of St Lawrence Jewry Church

2017 being the 60^th year since the rededication of St Lawrence Jewry Church, an approach had been made for the City Corporation to host an early evening reception following a service, planned for Wednesday 19 July, to mark the anniversary.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception following the 60^th anniversary service to mark the rededication of St Lawrence Jewry, with arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

This would be a Committee event.

Resolved – that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception following the 60^th anniversary service to mark the rededication of St Lawrence Jewry, with arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(ii)       Armed Forces Flag Day 2017

The annual Armed Forces Flag Day forms part of a week of activities across the country to raise public awareness of the contribution made by the Armed Forces. Armed Forces Flag Day was established to provide an opportunity to show support for members of the Armed Forces and Service families.

To mark the occasion and in line with previous years, it was proposed that the City Corporation host a flag-raising ceremony in Guildhall Yard during the afternoon of Thursday 22 June, followed by light refreshments in the Old Library. The event was intended to provide an opportunity for the City to show its support for the Armed Forces and raise awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who are

To consider reports of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, as follows:-

PORT HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

(Wendy Mead, O.B.E.)

(A)      Update to Scheme of Delegations – proposing amendments to the Scheme of Delegations associated with Marriage Licensing.

24 January 2017

Update to the Scheme of Delegations: Marriage Licensing

Under the Marriage Act 1949, the Court of Common Council has authority to grant licences to premises for the solemnisation of marriages. This function had previously been delegated to the Town Clerk. However, all other aspects of registration (births, deaths, marriages) had been delegated to the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

It was therefore proposed to update the Scheme of Delegations such that responsibility for marriage premises licensing was also delegated to the Director of Community and Children’s Services, rather than the Town Clerk, thereby regularising all marriage registration and licensing functions into a single Department.

In addition, the reference in the Scheme referring to the delegation being under Section 29 of the Local Government Act had also been identified as incorrect, as the reference should have been to the Registration Service Act 1953. Accordingly, it was also proposed to update the Scheme of Delegations to correct this reference.

RESOLVED: That the amendments to the Scheme of Delegations set out in the report be approved, such that:-

·     authority to grant licences to premises for the solemnisation of marriages moves from the Town Clerk to the Director of Children’s and Community Services; and

·     the wording within the Scheme be updated to refer to the correct legislation.

(B) Heathrow Animal Reception Centre: Annual Review of Charges – proposing the annual increases to be applied in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

24 January 2017

Animal Reception Centre – Heathrow Airport: Annual Review of Charges

It is necessary to submit periodic recommendations to the Court for an increase to be applied to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), for the forthcoming financial year.

The Byelaws, incorporating a new schedule of charges for the services provided, were set out in Appendix A to the report and the Committee recommended approval thereof; the Comptroller and City Solicitor being instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

RESOLVED: That the Byelaws, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved and the Comptroller and City Solicitor being instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

To consider the draft pay policy statement for 2017/18.

ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE

(The Revd. Stephen Decatur Haines, Deputy)

14February 2017

Draft Pay Policy Statement 2017/18

The Localism Act 2011 requires the City of London Corporation to prepare and publish a Pay Policy Statement setting out its approach to pay for the most senior and junior members of staff. This must be agreed each year by the full Court of Common Council.

The statement, having been updated for 2017/18 and approved by both the Establishment Committee and Policy and Resources Committee, was therefore presented to the Court of Common Council with the recommendation that it be approved.

RESOLVED: Thar the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

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

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 12 January 2017.

Resolved – That the non-public Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

To consider reports of the Finance Committee as follows:-

Finance Committee

The Court:-

(A)      New Spitalfields Market Waste Collection – to consider the award of a contract associated with the provision of Waste Collection, Recycling and Cleansing Services at New Spitalfields Market.

(A)      approved the award of a contract relating to waste collection at New Spitalfields Market; and

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(B) Building repairs and maintenance contract – to consider the award of contracts associated with Mechanical & Electrical Maintenance and Building Fabric Repairs.

(B)      approved the award of two contracts relating to building repairs and maintenance.

To consider a report seeking additional funds required for the completion of a project.

Community and Children’s Services Committee

The Court approved a request for additional funds for the completion of a project.

To consider a report concerning the redevelopment of a property.

Property Investment Board

The Court approved a proposal concerning the redevelopment of a City’s Estate property.