Agenda and minutes

Venue: Guildhall

Contact: Gregory Moore 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introduction of Newly Elected Members

Name

Ward

Thomas Alexander Anderson

Farringdon Within (South Side)

Thomas Cowley Clementi

Lime Street

 

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 1.

Minutes:

At the opening of the meeting, the Chief Commoner spoke on behalf of the Court to express her condolences to the victims of the terrorist attacks at London Bridge, Borough Market and Finsbury Park, as well as the Grenfell Tower blaze. Consequently, Members rose for a minute’s silence.

 

The following Members, lately elected to be of the Common Council, for the Wards mentioned, were introduced to the Court and having, previously made the declaration prescribed by the Promissory Oaths Act, 1868, took their seats, viz.:

 

Name

Ward

Thomas Alexander Anderson

Farringdon Within (South Side)

Thomas Cowley Clementi

Lime Street

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

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

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

3.

Declarations by Members under the Code of Conduct in respect of any items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were none.

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

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 224 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 25 May 2017.

 

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

Minutes:

Resolved - that the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

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

5.

Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials

Minutes:

Resolved unanimously – That the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to                             

Sir Mark John Boleat

 

on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Knight Bachelor, in recognition of his services to the Financial Services Industry and to Local Government in London.

 

Sir Mark was heard in reply.

 

Resolved unanimously – that the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to                                                                                                       

Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick, O.B.E.

 

On his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for services to the City of London Corporation and community initiatives in Northern Ireland.

 

Deputy Chadwick was heard in reply.

 

Resolved unanimously – That the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to

 

Elizabeth Rosemary Skelcher, M.B.E.

 

Lately Assistant Director of Economic Development at the City of London Corporation, for her recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for services to Business Relations and Development in London.

 

 

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

6.

Mayoral Visits

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

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

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor reported on his recent visits to Colombia and Mexico.

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

7.

Policy Statement

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

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

Minutes:

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee spoke to outline the measures being taken to reassure residents of the City Corporation’s housing stock that all possible steps were being taken to ensure their safety.

 

The Chairman informed the Court that all processes and procedures relating to fire safety had been reviewed to ensure they remained robust and fit for purpose, with fire risk assessments now completed across all housing stock. A small strip of cladding, measuring less than 300mm in width, was also being removed from Great Arthur House as a precautionary measure; these works were expected to be completed by the next day and all residents were being written to accordingly. She also outlined the assistance being provided to the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with The City Bridge Trust playing a leading support role with the London Emergencies Trust and the management of the appeal for the tragedy. The Town Clerk was now leading the London Local Authority Gold Taskforce responding to the incident (hence his absence and the Assistant Town Clerk acting in his stead at today’s meeting); and both the City Police and the City Corporation’s Security & Contingency Planning Team were providing support and advice on a number of specialist areas and emergency response arrangements.

 

In addition, the Chairman set out the City Corporation’s offer to purchase and manage the first tranche of 68 permanent new homes for rehousing Grenfell Tower residents; this would form part of the previously agreed housing expansion programme to deliver 3700 homes. It was noted that the City Corporation had had to move very quickly to negotiate this purchase and further details would follow in due course.

 

Motion – That, in accordance with Standing Order 2(1), Standing Order 13(11) be suspended for

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

8.

Docquets for the Hospital Seal

Minutes:

There were no docquets to be sealed.

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

9.

The Freedom of the City pdf icon PDF 147 KB

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

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

Minutes:

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:-

 

Peter Sorrill

a Silversmith Designer

Birmingham

Frederick Joseph Trowman

Citizen and Loriner

 

David Robert Boston

Citizen and Gold & Silver Wyre Drawer

 

 

Chief Ezeala Christopher  Igbojekwe

a Shipping Proprietor

Silvertown, London

Howard Andre Beber

Citizen and Poulter

 

Brian John Coombe

Citizen and Poulter

 

 

Lea Franziska Flynn 

an Events-Protocol Manager

Lambeth, London

John Alexander Smail

Citizen and Distiller

 

Gordon Mark Gentry

Citizen and Baker

 

 

Julia Mary Diamond

a Receptionist

Battersea, London

Richard George Clerk Thornton, TD

Citizen and Leatherseller

 

Nigel Grant  Walker 

Citizen and Leatherseller

 

 

Clint Tanti

a Diplomat

Sliema, Malta

Jonathan Martin Averns

Citizen and Fletcher

 

David Andrew Harry McGregor Smith, CBE

 

Citizen and Cook

 

Ian Jeffrey Gardiner 

a Trainee Paramedic

Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk

Stuart John Fraser, CBE, CC

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Brian Nicholas Harris

Citizen and Glazier

 

 

Peter Temisa Oweh

a School Staff Instructor

Maidstone, Kent

Alan Leslie Warman

Citizen and Clockmaker

 

Andrew Charles Parmley, Ald.

 

Citizen and Musician

 

Louise Claire Walton 

a Milliner

Wallingford, Oxfordshire

Gordon Eric Jones 

Citizen and Spectacle Maker

 

Paul Budd

 

Citizen and Cook

 

Roy Hector Coenye

an Electrical Services Manager

Stanford-le-Hope, Essex

Brian Derek Francois

Citizen and Environmental Cleaner

 

Christopher Thomas  Albrow

Citizen and Wheelwright

 

 

Jacqueline Bray

a Special Educational Needs Administration Officer

Stanford-le-Hope, Essex

Brian Derek Francois

Citizen and Environmental Cleaner

 

Christopher Thomas  Albrow

Citizen and Wheelwright

 

 

Charles Martin Wilson 

an Airline Training Standards Captain, retired

Uckfield, East Sussex

Harold Ebenezer Piggott

Citizen and Basketmaker

 

Paul Stephen Hollebone

Citizen and Chartered Accountant

 

 

Anthony Long 

a Publishing Company Director

Woodford Green, Essex

Donald Howard Coombe, MBE

Citizen and Poulter

 

David Peter Coombe

Citizen and Poulter

 

 

Paul Jeffery Davis 

a

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

10.

Ballot Results

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

 

¬ denotes appointed.

 

(A)      One Member to The Honourable The Irish Society.

 

 

Votes

John David Absalom, Deputy

63¬

Ann Holmes

30

 

(B)      One Member to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

 

 

Votes

Matthew Bell

29

Wendy Hyde, Deputy

63¬

 

(C)      One Member to TheCity Bridge Trust Committee.

 

 

Votes

Paul Nicholas Martinelli

47¬

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

43

 

(D)      One Member to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

 

 

Votes

Matthew Bell

6

Paul Nicholas Martinelli

20

Jeremy Paul Mayhew

27¬

Graham David Packham

21

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

14

Graeme Martyn Smith

4

 

With no candidate obtaining 50% of the first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes (Graeme Smith) had their second preference votes (where indicated) transferred. With no candidate having received 50% of the votes, this process was repeated until only two candidates remained, Jeremy Mayhew and Graham Packham.

 

After all preference votes had been allocated, Jeremy Mayhew was elected with a total of 42 votes. Graham Packham received 34 votes. A breakdown of the votes at each stage can be made available to any interested Member on request.

 

(E)      One Member to Thames 21.

 

 

Votes

Jeremy Lewis Simons

53¬

Graeme Martyn Smith

37

 

 

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

Minutes:

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

 

 

(A)      One Member to The Honourable The Irish Society.

 

 

Votes

John David Absalom, Deputy

63

Ann Holmes

30

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy John Absalom to be appointed to The Honourable The Irish Society.

 

(B)      One Member to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

 

 

Votes

Matthew Bell

29

Wendy Hyde, Deputy

63

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Wendy Hyde to be appointed to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

 

 

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

 

 

Votes

Paul Nicholas Martinelli

47

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

43

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Paul Martinelli to be appointed to The City Bridge Trust Committee.

 

(D)      One Member to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

 

 

Votes

Matthew Bell

6

Paul Nicholas Martinelli

20

Jeremy Paul Mayhew

27

Graham David Packham

21

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

14

Graeme Martyn Smith

4

 

With no candidate obtaining 50% of the first preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes (Graeme Smith) had their second preference votes (where indicated) transferred. With no candidate having received 50% of the votes, this process was repeated until only two candidates remained, Jeremy Mayhew and Graham Packham.

 

After all preference votes had been allocated, Jeremy Mayhew was elected with a total of 42 votes. Graham Packham received 34 votes.

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Jeremy Mayhew to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

 

(E)      One Member to Thames 21.

 

 

Votes

Jeremy Lewis Simons

53

Graeme Martyn Smith

37

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Jeremy Simons to be appointed to Thames 21.

 

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

11.

Appointments

To consider the following appointment:

 

Three Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls; one vacancy being for the balance of a term expiring July 2021, one for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020, and one for the balance of a term expiring in July 2018.

 

Nominations received:-

Robert Allan Merrett, Deputy

 

 

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

Minutes:

The Court proceeded to consider an appointment to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

 

Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls (three vacancies; one being for the balance of a term expiring July 2021, one for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020, and one for the balance of a term expiring in July 2018).

 

Nominations received:-

Robert Allan Merrett, Deputy

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Robert Merrett to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls for the balance of a term expiring July 2021.

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

12.

Questions

Minutes:

Bank Junction Safety Scheme

Deputy Edward Lord asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning the operation of the Bank Junction safety scheme.

 

The Chairman prefaced his reply by reminding Honourable Members that the experimental scheme had been in place only four weeks and, as such, any data and assessments should be considered in that context. He advised that the scheme had been successful to date, with journey times on key routes slightly improved and journey times for buses through the Junction experiencing an average reduced journey time of ninety seconds. Officers continued to monitor closely all aspects of the scheme to identify further improvements, including a review of loading locations; to date only very minor adjustments to some signal timings inside the City had been required, with no changes necessary outside the City. The resilience of the network under the new scheme was also noted, with it having coped well despite a number of incidents such as a broken down bus on Cannon Street in peak hours and the closure of London Bridge southbound due to the appalling terrorist incident there.

 

With reference to the impact of school holidays, it was advised that such periods made little difference to the number and type of vehicles moving on City streets; analysis of traffic from both before and after the scheme’s introduction also demonstrated that vehicle numbers moving around the City remained consistent.

 

Members were also informed that compliance levels were such that 85% of “pre-restriction” traffic was no longer crossing the Junction, which represented a very good figure for a restriction of this nature enforced only by signage. Compliance was expected to increase further with the introduction of penalty charge notices in the coming period. Consultation on the scheme had now gone live on the

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

13.

Motions

Minutes:

There were none.

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

14.

Awards and Prizes

Minutes:

There was no report.

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

15.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 190 KB

To consider two applications for hospitality and note one application for hospitality approved under urgency procedures since the last meeting of the Court.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

(Wendy Mead, O.B.E., Chief Commoner)

13 June 2017

A)  Reception to welcome the IAAF World Championships to London

The 2017 IAAF World Championships were due to take place in London at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 4-13 August. This biennial event being the biggest global sporting event after the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup, it had been proposed that the City Corporation, in conjunction with the London Organising Committee, should host the official welcome reception for the World Championships. This reception would provide the opportunity for the City to demonstrate its continuing commitment to sport following the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 and show its support for the UK’s position as a world-leading host nation for major sporting events.

 

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to welcome the IAAF World Championships to London, with arrangements to be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

 

This would be a full Court event.

 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to welcome the IAAF World Championships to London, with arrangements to be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

 

B)   World Para Athletics Championships 2017

The 2017 World Para Athletics Championships were also scheduled to take place in London at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, from 14–23 July.  For the first time, these Championships had been organised to take place in the same city, and immediately prior to, the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) World Championships. 

 

Consequently, it had been proposed that the City Corporation, in

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

The City Bridge Trust Committee

To consider reports of The City Bridge Trust Committee, as follows:

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

THE CITY BRIDGE TRUST COMMITTEE

 

(Alison Gowman, Alderman)

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

16a

Bridge to Work pdf icon PDF 137 KB

(A)Bridge to Work – to consider the award of a grant to Inclusion London and Action on Disability.

For Decision

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16a

Minutes:

THE CITY BRIDGE TRUST COMMITTEE

 

(Alison Gowman, Alderman)

11 May 2017

(A) Bridge to Work

The Court considered the award of a grant of £775,000 over five years (£161,000; £150,000; £151,000; £155,000; £158,000) towards staffing and operational costs of the joint Bridge to Work project by Inclusion London and Action on Disability. This proposal built on existing, effective, work as well as the knowledge and direct experience from Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations and Disabled people themselves in order to develop best practice and to shape policy in this area.

 

The principal outcomes of the project were to:

·         Reduce the barriers young Disabled people face in accessing and remaining in employment

·         Support employers to become more confident, inclusive and accessible employers of Disabled people

·         Identify and develop new recruitment routes between potential employers and Disabled employees

·         Influence policy and practice in employment support through providing robust evidence as to the effectiveness and impact of employment support models.

 

The Court was recommended to approve a grant of £775,000 over five years (£161,000; £150,000; £151,000; £155,000; £158,000) to Inclusion London and Action on Disability (with the former as the lead partner and recipient of the grant) towards a Project Manager; other key staff; and operational costs of the Inclusion London/Action on Disability joint Bridge to Work project. The grant in years 4 and 5 would be subject to the project achieving satisfactory progress in the first three years.

 

Whilst approving the grant in principle, it was observed that there was a small discrepancy between the grant sums set out in the report’s recommendation and the concluding paragraph of the report. It was therefore suggested that authority be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of The City Bridge Trust Committee to ascertain the correct figure and

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16a

16b

Bridge to Work - Mental Health pdf icon PDF 189 KB

(B) Bridge to Work: Mental Health – to consider the award of a grant to the Centre for Mental Health.

For Decision

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16b

Minutes:

11 May 2017

(B) Bridge to Work: Mental Health

The Court considered the award of a grant relative to the Bridge to Work: mental health programme, which aimed to support beneficiaries with mental ill health back to good health and employment. It was requested that the Court of Common Council approve a grant of £1,241,568 over four years (£243,716; £562,796; £429,804; £5,252) to the Centre for Mental Health towards the implementation of Individual Placement Support (IPS) in two London boroughs. Currently, strong IPS services are delivered in only ten London boroughs; therefore this project has the potential to expand IPS provision in London, which aligns with the Government's plans to fund the roll out of IPS nationally.

 

The Court was therefore recommended to approve a grant of £1,241,568 over four years (£243,716; £562,796; £429,804; £5,252) to the Centre for Mental Health to implement Individual Placement Support (IPS) in two London boroughs.

 

Resolved – That approval be given to a grant of £1,241,568 over four years (£243,716; £562,796; £429,804; £5,252) to the Centre for Mental Health to implement Individual Placement Support (IPS) in two London boroughs.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16b

17.

Standards Committee pdf icon PDF 177 KB

To receive the annual report providing a summary of the Standards Committee’s activities over the year.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

(Oliver Arthur Wynlayne Lodge)

19 May 2017

Annual Report

Members received the annual report of the Standards Committee, which was required to monitor all complaints referred to it and to prepare an annual report on its activity for submission to the Court of Common Council.  It was noted that no allegations of breaches of the Code of Conduct were made to the Committee during the course of 2016/17.

 

Resolved – That the report be received and its content noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Investment Committee pdf icon PDF 111 KB

To consider a proposed amendment to the composition of the Investment Committee.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE

 

(Alastair Michael Moss, Deputy)

17 May 2017

Revision of Membership

This Court was requested to amend the Membership for its Investment Committee such that it included the Chairman of the Social Investment Board (SIB) as an ex-officio appointment. SIB had a membership made of representatives from a number of Committees, but currently there was no formal provision to ensure its Chairman sat on the Investment Committee which had oversight of the Social, Financial and Property Investment Boards.

 

It was therefore recommended that the Court approve an amendment to the Membership of the Investment Committee, such that it included the Chairman of the Social Investment Board as an ex-officio appointment.

 

Resolved – That the Investment Committee’s composition be amended such that the Chairman of the Social Investment Board be included as an ex-officio Member.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

By the Chief Commoner

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 Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

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 Paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 25 May 2017.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Policy and Resources Committee

To consider proposals concerning security matters.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals relating to security matters.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.