Agenda and minutes

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 20 June 2019.

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 Right Honourable The Lord Mayor reported on his recent visits to the United States of America, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China.

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

The Policy Chair spoke to provide Members with an update on the Fundamental Review, the latest position in respect of the City Corporation’s borrowing arrangements, and the outcomes of the London Bridge Inquests.

The Chairman of the Police Authority Board spoke to join the Policy Chair in commending all those who had responded on that tragic night, as well as to send thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of those who had lost loved ones in the attacks. He added that  the Inquests had been meticulous in their scrutiny of the events and that there was much to consider; the City Police and City Corporation would seek to learn everything possible from the findings and carefully review procedures and processes. He hoped to be in a position to update the Court in the autumn with details of any actions that were required to further support the commitment to the security of the City.

There were no docquets to be sealed.

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:-

Bills

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill

(The text of the measures and the explanatory notes may be obtained from the Remembrancer’s Office.)

Read.

The Town Clerk reported the result of the ballot taken at the last Court, as follows:-

Where appropriate:-

denotes appointed.

One Member to the Finance Committee.

Votes

Andrien Gereith Dominic Meyers                                 63

James Richard Tumbridge                                           27

The Town Clerk reported the result of the ballot taken at the last Court, as follows:-

One Member to the Finance Committee.

Votes

Andrien Gereith Dominic Meyers                                  63

James Richard Tumbridge                                           27

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Andrien Meyers to be appointed to the Finance Committee.

To consider the following appointments:

Where appropriate:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment.

(A)         Two Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for terms expiring in July 2023.

Nominations received:-

*Marianne Bernadette Fredericks

*Sylvia Doreen Moys

(B)         Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls; three vacancies for terms expiring in July 2023; one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2022; and one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2021.

Nominations received:-

*Randall Keith Anderson

*Tom Hoffman, M.B.E., Deputy

*Sylvia Doreen Moys

(C)         Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School; two vacancies for terms expiring in July 2023; one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2022; one vacancy is for the balance of a term expiring in July 2021, and one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020.

Nominations received:-

*John Alfred Bennett, M.B.E., Deputy

*Michael Hudson

(D)         One Member on the Licensing Committee, for a term expiring in April 2023.

Nominations received:-

John William Fletcher

(E)         One Member on the City University of London, for a term expiring in July 2023. .

Nominations received:-

Jeremy Paul Mayhew

(F)          One Member on the City & Guilds of London Institute for a four-year term expiring in August 2023.

Nominations received:-

*Wendy Mead, O.B.E.

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees and Outside Bodies:-

Where appropriate:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment.

(A)      Two Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for terms expiring in July 2023.

          Nominations received:-

          *Marianne Bernadette Fredericks

          *Sylvia Doreen Moys

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Marianne Fredericks and Sylvia Moys to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

(B)      Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls; three vacancies for terms expiring in July 2023; one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2022; and one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2021.

          Nominations received:-

          *Randall Keith Anderson

          *Tom Hoffman, M.B.E., Deputy

          *Sylvia Doreen Moys

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Randall Anderson, Deputy Tom Hoffman, and Sylvia Moys to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

(C)      Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School; two vacancies for terms expiring in July 2023; one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2022; one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2021, and one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020.

          Nominations received:-

          *John Alfred Bennett, M.B.E., Deputy

          *Michael Hudson

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy John Bennett and Michael Hudson to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School.

(D)      One Member on the Licensing Committee, for a term expiring in April 2023.

          Nominations received:-

          John William Fletcher

          Read.

          Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared John Fletcher to be appointed to the Licensing Committee.

(E)    One Member

Future of the City of London School for Girls

Mark Bostock asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the future of the City of London School for Girls within the Barbican Estate and the potential for its relocation.

Responding, the Chair made reference to the current proposed expansion of the City of London School for Girls, in which there was significant interest. She observed that the Barbican Estate was a hugely significant architectural prize for the City, of which it was extremely proud, and expressed her certainty that the Planning & Transportation Committee would discharge its responsibilities diligently when it came to consider current proposals or any future planning applications which might affect the Estate.

The Chair reminded the Court of the organisation’s longstanding approach in respect of the management of individual service areas being entrusted to the responsible committees and Boards. Given this, it would be a matter for the Board of Governors of the Girls’ School to determine how it might best deliver its services in the first instance. She reminded Members that the Barbican had been built as a multi-use estate, including a school, arts centre, and other facilities.

Responding to a supplementary question from Mark Bostock, in which he sought a commitment for the City Corporation to champion the Barbican as an iconic estate and actively consider the relocation of all or part of the Girls’ School, the Chair suggested that the City Corporation would certainly wish to champion the Barbican Estate but that the future of the School was, ultimately, a matter for the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls to consider in the first instance.

Right of Light Payments

Alderman Ian Luder asked a question of the Chairman of the Standards Committee concerning right

There were no motions.

There was no report.

To consider amendments to the Scheme of Delegations to Officers.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

4 July 2019

Scheme of Delegations

The Scheme of Delegations to officers had not been reviewed in its entirety since 2014 and now needed updating to take account of revisions made to officer and departmental structures, updates to legislation, and a number of proposed new delegations to assist in the day-to-day management of the organisation.

As the Committee responsible for the review and co-ordination of the governance of the City of London Corporation, including its committees, standing orders and outside bodies scheme, the Policy and Resources Committee had reviewed the document and now recommended the amended document be approved.

An addendum, correcting a small number of additional typographical errors, had also been circulated.

Resolved – That the proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegations to

Officers, as set out in the appendix to the report and the accompanying addendum, be approved.

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

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

21 May 2019

City of London School for Girls Loan – to consider a budget adjustment associated with a loan for the City of London Girls School.

(A) Expansion of the City of London Girl’s School

In April 2019, the Policy & Resources Committee and Resource Allocation Sub-Committee had agreed that a loan should be approved for the proposed expansion of the City of London School for Girls, in the event that it proceeded.

Following that decision, the Finance Committee was required to approve a revision to the Corporation’s budget of up to £15.3m to facilitate the loan. In-year budget adjustments of this nature were required to be considered by the Finance Committee prior to consideration by the Court of Common Council. The Court was recommended to approve the requisite budget adjustment, noting that scheme would be subject to full planning approval and draw down of the loan would happen only in the event that the project was approved at the various relevant stages.

The Chair of Policy and Resources spoke to introduce the debate, clarifying that the provision of a loan was standard practice for the City Corporation in respect of major capital funding requirements for the independent Schools, as they were prohibited from seeking loans directly, as other Schools would do, and so had to seek them via the City Corporation. The same mechanism was being employed in respect of the ongoing project at the City of London Freemen’s School, as Members would note at Item 16(B).

The Chairman of Finance also spoke to introduce the item, clarifying that, whilst he was opposed to the School’s current expansion proposal, the loan proposal that the Court was being asked to consider here was not scheme specific, as demonstrated by the explicit provision for abortive costs within the overall sum. The appropriate committees would take a view on the merits of particular schemes in the normal fashion; the role of the Finance Committee and the Court at this

Report of Action Taken: City of London Freemen’s School Loan – to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures.

 (B) Report of Action Taken: Phase 1 of the Freemen’s School Masterplan project – Loan

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to a budget adjustment.

The Policy & Resources Committee and Resource Allocation Sub-Committee had agreed that an internal loan of up to £18.818m to should be granted to the City of London Freemen’s School to fund Phase 1 of the School’s Masterplan project.

Following that decision, the Finance Committee was required to approve a revision to the Corporation’s budget of up to £18.818m to facilitate the loan. In-year budget adjustments of this nature are required to be considered by the Finance Committee, which is responsible for making subsequent recommendations concerning budget adjustments to the Court.

Approval was sought and granted under urgency procedures, to allow for works to be undertaken during the summer holiday period.

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

To consider reports of the Finance Committee, as follows:-

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

9 July 2019

Capital Funding – to consider a series of capital funding bids and associated budget adjustments.

(A) Capital Funding

The Court was recommended to approve additional budgetary provisions of up to £8.463m to fund six schemes agreed for progression outside of the Fundamental Review, namely:

·         Corporate IT Service Contract – Outsourcing Transition

·         Three Police IT Modernisation Projects (Managed Desktop, Security Zone, and Intranet and Sharepoint delivery)

·         Electrical supply works at Walbrook Wharf for electric vehicle charging

·         Urgent mechanical and electrical systems works at Walbrook Wharf

These schemes had been approved by the Policy & Resources Committee and Resource Allocation Sub-Committee, following which, the Finance Committee had approved the requisite revisions under urgency procedures. In-year budget adjustments of this nature were required to be considered by the Finance Committee, which was responsible for making subsequent recommendations concerning budget adjustments to the Court.

Resolved – That Members:-

·         Approve an allocation of up to £8.463m from the reserves of the relevant funds (as outlined in the report) to allow the six identified schemes to progress.

·         Note that this year’s capital funding bids will be assessed initially against the existing prioritisation criteria, pending new criteria to be developed via the Fundamental Review.

Wansted Park Ponds – to consider a budget adjustment relative to the Wansted Park Ponds.

(B) Capital Funding – Bid for Reprioritisation: Wanstead Park Ponds

The Court was recommended to approve additional budgetary provisions of up to £150,000 to provide internal loan funding for the engineering assessment and modelling of the Wanstead Park pond system.

The cascading chain of three ponds located at the Park had been designated by the Environment Agency as High Risk under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the City Corporation had a statutory duty to ensure that the pond structures meet the required standards. A sum of £150,000 was, therefore, being sought to undertake an engineering assessment and modelling of the pond system, to determine whether further steps were necessary to bring the Ponds up to standard.

Resolved – That an allocation of £150,000 be approved from the general reserves of City’s Cash to provide funding for the engineering assessment and modelling of the pond system.

Electric Vehicle Replacement – to consider a budget adjustment to facilitate electric vehicle replacements relative to the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone.

(C) Capital Funding – Bid for Reprioritisation: Electric Vehicle Replacements to Comply with the Ultra-Low Emission Zone

The Court was recommended to approve additional budgetary provisions of up to £3m to provide internal loan funding for electric and other low emission vehicle replacements, in order to comply with the Mayor of London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) and the City Corporation’s ‘Transition to a Zero Emission Fleet’ policy. This comprised £2.3m from the general reserves of City Fund for Police and other City Fund vehicles, and £0.7m from the general reserves of City’s Cash for City’s Cash vehicles.

Resolved – That Members:-

·         Approve an additional budgetary provision of up to £3m, to provide internal loan funding to be drawn from the general reserves of City Fund and City’s Cash.

·         Agree that these loan facilities will be available from 2019/20 onwards, to be drawn down as required over the life of the projects subject to other relevant approvals.

To consider a temporary reduction to the quorum of the Committee.

BARBICAN RESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE

(Michael Hudson)

17 June 2019

Temporary Reduction in the Quorum

The Barbican Residential Committee (BRC) had experienced difficulty in recruiting non-resident Members and was currently carrying six vacancies, out of the required eleven, leaving future meetings at a high risk of being inquorate. The Court was recommended to consider a temporary reduction in the quorum of the BRC, from four to three non-resident Members, to ensure that a quorum could be achieved at the scheduled September and December 2019 BRC meetings.

A Member observed that the temporary reduction to the quorum was currently open-ended and proposed an amendment to insert a fixed date on which the quorum would revert to the norm.

Amendment – That a temporary reduction to the quorum of the Barbican Residential Committee, from four to three non-resident Members, be agreed until 31 December 2019, to ensure a quorum at the September and December 2019 meetings.

Upon the amendment being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be carried.

Resolved – That a temporary reduction to the quorum of the Barbican Residential Committee, from four to three non-resident Members, be agreed until 31 December 2019, to ensure a quorum at the September and December 2019 meetings.

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

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

(Ann Holmes)

3 May 2019

Annual Report

The Court received the annual report of the Standards Committee, advising of its activity between May 2018 and April 2019 period. It was noted that four alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct were considered by the Committee during 2018/19.

The Chairman spoke to introduce the item, following which, a number of Members spoke in relation to the current standards regime. Reference was made to recent email exchanges, with some calling for a more pragmatic and common-sense approach to be taken in respect of dealing with standards matters. A Member also spoke to urge support for the Standards Committee in its efforts to keep the reputation of the City Corporation in high regard.

Motion – That the Court proceed to the next item of business, in accordance with Standing Order 11(8).

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

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

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 20 June 2019.

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

To consider proposals relative to the City of London Primary Academy Islington.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals concerning the City of London Primary Academy Islington.

To consider proposals relating to the relocation of the Museum of London.

Policy and Resources Committee and Capital Buildings Committee

The Court approved proposals concerning the Museum of London Relocation Programme.

To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the purchase of a freehold.

Property Investment Board

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures

concerning the acquisition of a freehold.

To consider reports of the Finance Committee, as follows:-

Finance Committee

The Court:-

Major Housing Framework Contracts – to consider the award of housing framework contracts.

a)    approved proposals concerning framework contracts for major housing projects;

Report of Action Taken: Highway Disposal – to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures.

b) noted action taken under urgency procedures concerning the disposal of an element of highway land;

Report of Action Taken: Borrowing Arrangements – to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures.

c) noted action taken under urgency procedures in relation to borrowing arrangements;

Report of Action Taken: Provision of Security Services – to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures.

d) noted action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the provision of security services; and

Smithfield Market Vacant Possession – to consider recommendations concerning the obtaining of vacant possession at Smithfield General Market.

e) agreed a budget adjustment associated with the obtaining of vacant possession at Smithfield General Market.