Agenda and minutes

The Chief Commoner welcomed the three newly-elected Aldermen to their first meeting of the Court of Common Council, viz. Alderman Emma Edhem, for the Ward of Candlewick; Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney, for the Ward of Cheap; and Alderman Susan Langley, for the Ward of Aldgate. The three newly-elected Aldermen were each 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 19 July 2018.

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

There were none.

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

The Lord Mayor reported on his recent regional visits to Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Cambridge, Northern Ireland, and international visits to South Africa Nigeria and Kenya as part of the Prime Minister’s delegation.

On behalf of the Court of Common Council, the Lord Mayor also expressed his sincere condolences to the family of Richard Sermon MBE, Past Sheriff of the City, who had sadly died earlier that month following a short illness.

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

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee spoke to update Members on the work being undertaken by the City Corporation with regard to Brexit and outlined the approach being taken to increase trade and investment activity in London and the United Kingdom.

There were no docquets for the seal.

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

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:-

Read.

To consider the following appointments:

Where appropriate:-

^ Denotes a Member who currently serves on the Committee in either an ex-officio capacity or as a representative of another Committee with appointment rights.

(A)         One Member on the Police Committee, for the balance of a term expiring April 2022.

Nominations received:-

Emma Edhem, Alderman

(B)         One Member on the Investment Committee, for the balance of a term expiring April 2020.

Nominations received:-

John Douglas Chapman

^Michael Hudson

(C)         One Member on the Education Board, for the balance of a term expiring April 2021.

Nominations received:-

^Caroline Wilma Haines

(D)         Four Members on Christ’s Hospital, for terms expiring March 2022.

Nominations received:-

Kevin Malcom Everett, Deputy

Shravan Jashvantrai Joshi

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees and outside bodies:-

(A)      One Member on the Police Committee, for the balance of a term expiring April 2022.

          Nominations received:-

          Emma Edhem, Alderman

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alderman Emma Edhem to be appointed to the Police Committee.

(B)      One Member on the Investment Committee, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2020.

Nominations received:-

John Douglas Chapman

Michael Hudson

Read.

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

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

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

(C)      One Member on the Education Board, for a three-year term expiring in April 2021.

          Nominations received:-

Caroline Wilma Haines

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Caroline Haines to be appointed to the Education Board.

(D)      Four Members on Christ’s Hospital, for terms expiring in March 2022.

          Nominations received:-

          Kevin Malcolm Everett, Deputy

          Shravan Jashvantrai Joshi

          Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Kevin Everett and Shravan Joshi to be appointed to Christ’s Hospital.

Participation in Pride in London

Benjamin Murphy asked a question of the Chair of the Establishment Committee concerning the City Corporation’s future participation in Pride in London.

Responding, the Chair noted that this year had seen the City Corporation’s first formal involvement in the Pride in London parade, which had been funded through a contribution from the Establishment Committee’s contingency fund and delivered through the City Corporation’s LGBT+Staff Network. The Chair thanked all Members and Officers involved with the parade, adding that there was a renewed and improved focus on equalities and inclusion across the City Corporation. The Chair outlined the creation of the Diversity and Business Engagement Lead Officer post which would play a significant role in supporting the equalities and inclusion work taking place. The Chair also explained that it was hoped that the City Corporation would continue to support Pride in London, as well as other appropriate diversity events, on a regular and sustained basis.

In response to a supplementary question from Tijs Broeke concerning hospitality associated with diversity related events, the Chair explained that the hospitality budget and annual calendar of events were not within the gift of the Establishment Committee; but rather a matter for the Chief Commoner and the Hospitality Working Party. The Chair expressed his hope that Members’ comments would be taken into account when considering support for next years’ Pride Flag Raising ceremony.

Crossrail Delay

Deputy Brian Mooney asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the recently-announced delay to the opening of Crossrail.

Replying, the Chairman explained that a letter had been received from Crossrail advising of the delay and this was available to Members should they wish to read it. The Chairman observed that, whilst the delay was disappointing, once open Crossrail would provide an

There were no motions.

To receive a petition submitted by Mary Durcan pursuant to Standing Order No.20, relative to noise pollution in the Barbican area.

The Court received a petition submitted by Mary Durcan relative to noise pollution in the Barbican area.

Responding to a question in relation to the increased noise affecting residents and the steps being taken by the City of London Corporation, Mary Durcan explained that this was a public health issue and residents were experiencing almost continuous noise and vibrations from the trains. She advised that this was an issue which could only be solved by TfL and outlined the various steps being taken to increase publicity. Mary Durcan added that at present, noise mitigation works were not being carried out and asked Members for their support on this issue.

Resolved – That the petition be referred to the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

There was no report.

To consider proposals relating to traffic orders at Bank Junction.

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

(Christopher Michael Hayward)

10 July 2018

Bank on Safety

The Court considered a report relative to the future of the experimental traffic scheme at Bank Junction which recommended that the experimental traffic orders at Bank Junction (to restrict traffic to bus and cycle only, Monday to Friday 0700-1900) be made permanent.

The Chairman spoke to introduce the report, reminding Members the decision to implement the experimental closure had been taken to improve safety at this dangerous and complex Junction. He observed that the experimental closure had made the area a more pleasant and safer space, with 75% of the public consultation responses supporting or generally supporting the scheme. The Chairman also confirmed that the recommendations within the report to make the orders permanent had been approved by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, the Planning and Transportation Committee, and the Policy and Resources Committee.

During discussion, Members made the following comments:

• It was suggested that the consultation responses referred to were open to interpretation and did not necessarily represent support for the scheme; however, it was noted that the statistics had been scrutinised by Members of the Policy and Resources Committee and the majority of consultation responses did support the scheme. Whilst an assumption could be made that those who did not favour the scheme were in opposition of the traffic orders, this was not necessarily the case as some responses had urged the City Corporation to further pedestrianise the area as opposed to relaxing the traffic orders.

·         A Member expressed their disappointment with the binary nature of the recommendation, noting congestion remained an issue within the City and raising the point that it would have been helpful to be presented with a range of options. Members were urged to reject the decision before them and instead

To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the Museum of London relocation project.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Catherine McGuinness, Deputy)

21 August 2018

Report of Action Taken: Museum of London Relocation Project

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures concerning building works to refurbish and stabilise buildings associated with the Museum of London relocation project.

Resolved – That the action taken under urgency procedures be noted.

To consider reports of the Police Committee, as follows:

POLICE COMMITTEE

(Douglas Barrow)

24 May 2018

(A) City of London Police: Annual Report 2017/18

The Annual Report, setting out the achievements and performance of the City of London Police over the past financial year, was submitted to the Court for information.

The Chairman introduced the item to the Court and provided a comprehensive overview of the City Police’s achievements over the year, as well as a summary of the constructive challenge provided by the Police Committee across the period.

Resolved – That the report be received.

23 August 2018

(B) Appointment of Independent External Member to the Police Committee

The constitution of the Police Committee allows for the recruitment of two external individuals (i.e. not Members of the Common Council) onto the Committee, through an open process. In May 2018, one of these external Members of the Committee, Lucy Sandford, resigned from her position to avoid breaching the membership criteria of the Committee when taking on a new professional role. As a result, a recruitment exercise was undertaken in order fill this vacancy, in accordance with the Committee’s membership scheme (as specified in its Terms of Reference).

A selection panel was established and the post openly advertised. All applications were considered and five candidates who met the eligibility criteria were interviewed on 23 August 2018. Following deliberations, the panel was pleased to recommend one candidate for appointment to the position and the Court was consequently recommended to approve the appointment of the successful candidate, Ms Deborah Oliver, as an external Member of the Police Committee for a four-year term commencing 13 September 2018.

Resolved – That approval be given to the appointment of Ms Deborah Oliver to the Police Committee for a four-year term, commencing on 13 September 2018.

To consider proposals relating to the award of the Honorary Freedom.

FREEDOM APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE

(Sir David Wootton, Alderman)

26 July 2018

Revisions to the procedures for the award and revocation of the Honorary Freedom

At the meeting of the Court of Common Council on 12 October 2017, a Motion had been considered in relation to the award of the Honorary Freedom. As a consequence of those discussions, the Freedom Applications Committee was instructed to undertake a review of the processes associated with the award of the Honorary Freedom, as well as the introduction of a process by which the Honorary Freedom might be rescinded. This work had now been completed and the Court was recommended to endorse the procedures that had been proposed.

The Chairman spoke to introduce the report, explaining that the proposals represented a significant change of approach, whereby the award of an Honorary Freedom would now pass through the committee system in an open and transparent manner. At present, there was no system in place to remove an awarded Honorary Freedom and this would also be a change.

Resolved – That the Court of Common Council:

·         note that the Freedom Applications Committee had deliberated over the processes for awarding and removing the Honorary Freedom; and

·         endorse the respective procedures for the award and revocation of the Honorary Freedom agreed by the Freedom Applications Committee, as set out in the report.

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.

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 19 July 2018.

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

To consider proposals relating to the Strategic Review of Markets.

Markets Committee

The Court approved recommendations relating to the Strategic Review of Markets.