Agenda and minutes

Venue: Guildhall

Contact: Gregory Moore 

Items
No. Item

Sheriff

Hoffman, T.D.D., M.B.E.,Deputy; Mayhew,J.P.

 

Resolved unanimously – That Christopher Hayward, one of the Sheriffs of the City, be invited to take his seat on the Dais.

 

 

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

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

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

2.

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 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 421 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 12 September 2019.

 

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

Minutes:

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

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

4.

Vote of Thanks to the Lord Mayor

To read the draft terms of a Vote of Thanks to The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor.

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

Minutes:

Deputy Michael Cassidy, for the Ward of Coleman Street, read the draft terms of a vote of thanks to the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor, which was intended to be Moved formally at the next meeting of the Court.

 

The Lord Mayor was heard in reply.

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

5.

Letter

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to lay before the Court a letter of the Lord

Mayor Elect declaring his assent to take upon himself that Office.

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

Minutes:

A letter of the Lord Mayor Elect, declaring his assent to take upon himself the Office of Lord Mayor, was received.

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

6.

Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials.

Minutes:

Resolved – That the gratitude of this Court be extended to:-

 

Richard Peter Crossan

 

for his service to the Ward of Aldersgate and the City of London over the past two and a half years.

 

Although he only served for a relatively short period, we are grateful for his contributions since 2017 and wish him the very best for the future.

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

7.

Mayoral Visits

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

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

Minutes:

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor reported on his recent overseas visits to Australia, India, Nepal, and the United States of America.

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

8.

Election of Chief Commoner pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To elect a Chief Commoner for 2020/21.

 

Two nominations have been received in accordance with Standing Order No. 18, as follows:

 

·         Ann Holmes

·         Deputy Brian Desmond Francis Mooney

 

The candidates’ supporting statements are the subject of a printed and circulated

report.

 

(N.B. A notice listing the candidates and their nominators is on display in the

Members’ Reading Room).

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

Minutes:

The Court proceeded to elect a Chief Commoner for 2020/21.

 

Two valid nominations had been received in accordance with Standing Order No. 18; namely, Ann Holmes and Deputy Brian Mooney.

 

The Court therefore proceeded, in accordance with Standing Order No.10, to ballot.

 

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

 

After the votes had been counted, the results were as follows:-

 

Holmes, A.                              -           35 Votes

Mooney, B.D.F., Deputy             -           60 Votes

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Brian Mooney to be elected to the office of Chief Commoner for 2020/21.

 

Deputy Mooney spoke to thank Honourable Members for their support.

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

9.

Policy Statement

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

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

Minutes:

There was no statement.

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

10.

Docquets for the Hospital Seal.

Minutes:

There were no docquets to be sealed.

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

11.

The Freedom of the City pdf icon PDF 104 KB

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

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

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:-

 

Xiaoyu Wang

an Education Services Company Chairman

Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

 

Martyn Wheatley

Citizen and Scientific Instrument Maker

 

 

John Caunt

Citizen and Scientific Instrument Maker

 

 

 

Juvenal Joseph Muka Shiundu

a United Nations Official

Surbiton, Surrey

 

Howard Andre Beber

Citizen and Poulter

 

 

Brian John Coombe

Citizen and Poulter

 

 

 

Jonathan James Eade Foster

a Chartered Surveyor

Hindhead, Surrey

 

Stephen Nigel Mulliner

Citizen and Glover

 

 

Hamish Donaldson, MBE

Citizen and Information Technologist

 

 

 

Stefano  Potorti

a Consultancy Director

Wembley, London

 

Simon Jon Roberts

Citizen and Cook

 

 

Serafino Manca

Citizen and Marketor

 

 

 

Brett Martin  Benjamin 

a Car Sales Manager

Laindon, Basildon, Essex

 

Kenneth Lewis Benjamin

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

Richard Lionel Howroyd Price

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

 

Lidiia Benjamin

a Health and Beauty Spa Director

Laindon, Basildon, Essex

 

Kenneth Lewis Benjamin

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

Richard Lionel Howroyd Price

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

 

Dr Andrew Hipolito Castello-Cortes 

a Medical Doctor

Northwood, Hertfordshire

 

John Barnard Grantley Carpenter

Citizen and Pavior

 

 

Alexandra Grantley Castello-Cortes

Citizen and Pavior

 

 

 

Dr Christian Philip Hollier  Turner, CMG

a Diplomat

Limpsfield, Surrey

 

Ald. Timothy Russell Hailes, JP.

Citizen and Pewterer

 

 

Deputy Charles Edward Lord, OBE, JP

Citizen and Broderer

 

 

 

Maighread Margaret Condon Simmonds 

a Nurse

Chelsea, London

 

Timothy Richard Coleridge 

Citizen and Grocer

 

 

Matthew Roundell Palmer 

Citizen and Mercer

 

 

 


Graham Leonard Craker, MVO

a Police Officer, retired

Ware, Hertfordshire

 

Alan Leslie Warman

Citizen and Clockmaker

 

 

Diane Irene Warman

 

Citizen and Clockmaker

 

 

Paul John May 

a Chartered Surveyor

Royal Docks, London

 

Martin Collins

Citizen and Educator

 

 

Issa Tahhan

Citizen and Environmental Cleaner

 

 

 

Joanne Marie Cresswell

a Local Government Facility & Venue Manager

Dagenham, Essex

 

Norman Edward  Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

 

Christopher John Otter

Citizen

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

12.

Legislation pdf icon PDF 51 KB

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

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

Minutes:

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:-

 

Statutory Instruments

The Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 S.I. No. 1218

The Regulations introduce a requirement for food businesses to label food, which is prepacked on the same premises from which it is sold to consumers, with a full list of ingredients with allergens emphasised. The Regulations are enforced by the Common Council acting in its capacity as a food authority.

Date in force

 1st October 2021

 

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

 

Read.

 

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

13.

Ballot Results

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

Where appropriate:-

¬ denotes appointed.

 

One Member to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

 

 

Votes

Randall Keith Anderson

16

Mark Bostock

16

Tijs Broeke

25¬

John Petrie

21

Jeremy Lewis Simons

19

 

With no candidate obtaining 50% of the first preference votes, as set out in standing orders the candidates with fewest first preference votes were eliminated and second (and further) preference votes (as appropriate and where indicated) were transferred. With no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, this process continued until only two candidates remained, Tijs Broeke and Jeremy Simons.

 

After all preference votes had been allocated, Tijs Broeke was elected with a total of 35 votes. Jeremy Simons received 32 votes.

 

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

Minutes:

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

 

One Member to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

Votes

Randall Keith Anderson                 16

Mark Bostock                                    16

Tijs Broeke                                        25

John Petrie                                        21

Jeremy Lewis Simons                     19

 

With no candidate obtaining 50% of the first preference votes, the candidates with fewest first preference votes were eliminated and second (and further) preference votes (as appropriate and where indicated) were transferred. With no candidate receiving more than 50% of the vote, this process continued until only two candidates remained. Tijs Broeke was subsequently elected with a total of 35 votes.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Tijs Broeke to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

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

14.

Appointments

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 Girls, 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:-

Mark Bostock

Mary Durcan

 

(B)         Two Members on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2020.

 

Nominations received:-

Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

Tracey Graham

 

(C)         One Member on the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, for the balance of a term expiring in March 2021.

 

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

 

(D)         One Member on the Central Foundation Schools of London, for a term expiring in September 2023.

 

Nominations received:-

*Alderman Robert Picton Seymour Howard

 

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

Minutes:

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

 

(A) Two Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, one vacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2022 and onevacancy for the balance of a term expiring in July 2021.

 

Nominations received:-

Mark Bostock

Mary Durcan

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Mark Bostock and Mary Durcan to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

 

(B) Two Members on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of a

term expiring in April 2020.

 

Nominations received:-

Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

Tracey Graham

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Simon Duckworth and Tracey Graham to be appointed to the Standards Appeals Committee.

 

(C) One Member on the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,

for the balance of a term expiring in March 2021.

 

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Randall Anderson to be appointed to the

Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

 

(D) One Member on the Central Foundation Schools of London, for a term

expiring in September 2023.

 

Nominations received:-

*Alderman Robert Picton Seymour Howard

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alderman Robert Howard to be appointed to the Central Foundation Schools of London.

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

15.

Questions

Minutes:

Policing of Protests at Smithfield Market

Deputy Edward Lord asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the recent Animal Rebellion protests at Smithfield Market.

 

Responding, the Chair agreed that City of London Police and City Corporation officers involved should be commended for the professional manner in which they dealt with the protests and took the opportunity to express her gratitude on behalf of the organisation. She also paid tribute to the traders at Smithfield Market for their patience and cooperation in dealing with the situation.

 

It was noted that further protests were expected across the City in the coming week.

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

16.

Motions pdf icon PDF 80 KB

 

By Deputy Joyce Carruthers Nash, O.B.E.

(A)“That Adrian Bastow be appointed to the Planning and Transportation Committee for the Ward of Aldersgate, in the room of Barbara Newman?”

 

By Deputy Tom Sleigh

(B)To consider a Motion, submitted by Deputy Tom Sleigh, expressing support for the independence of the judiciary.

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

Minutes:

(A) Resolved – That Adrian Bastow be appointed to the Planning and Transportation Committee for the Ward of Aldersgate, in the room of Barbara Newman.

 

(B)   Motion – “That this Honourable Court, in: 

a)     recognising that the continued success of the City of London as a world financial and professional services centre is underpinned by a strong, trusted and independent judicial system, as expressed by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales in July 2018 at the Lord Mayor’s Dinner for HM Judges that ‘the rule of law and a well-functioning justice system underpin the prosperity and stability of the nation’ and affirming that those principles and sentiments are as relevant now as they were then;

b)     valuing the City’s deeply rooted connections with the justice system and support of our constitutional settlement over many centuries, including as one of only two guarantors of the Magna Carta of 1215 and, in more modern times, the provision of the Central Criminal Court, the Mayor’s and City Court, and City of London Magistrates’ Court;

c)     agreeing with the then Lord Chancellor’s remarks at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in 2018 that ‘together with our expert, independent judiciary, [the Rule of Law] has been – and will continue to be – the solid foundation for our status as a financial and legal global centre. The trust and confidence the Rule of Law provides means that businesses feel they can invest and traders can engage in contracts…’;

d)     noting the unanimous decision of the United Kingdom Supreme Court on 24th September 2019 in exercising its supervisory jurisdiction over the lawfulness of acts of government, in asserting the sovereignty of Parliament and the accountability of Ministers of the Crown to Parliament as it was the Supreme Courts duty to do; and

e)     endorsing its prior

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

17.

Awards and Prizes

Minutes:

There was no report.

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

18.

Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To consider recommendations relating to a Governance Review.

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

Minutes:

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness

(19 September 2019)

Governance Review

At its meeting on 14 March 2019, the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed to a fundamental review (FR) of the allocation of the City of London Corporation’s resources being undertaken. The purpose of this review was to ascertain how resources were being distributed against Corporate Plan priorities, to ensure that the City Corporation was operating within agreed priorities, and that the organisation’s financial plans were sustainable in the medium term.

 

With the nature of the City Corporation’s funding and service provision being diverse, good governance was essential in ensuring that the organisation functioned effectively. Supporting the governance structures also incurred a significant part of the Corporation’s expenditure and, furthermore, any changes proposed through the Fundamental Review were likely to have implications for governance.  Therefore, the Policy and Resources Committee, as the Committee responsible for the review and co-ordination of the governance of the City of London Corporation, had agreed that a review of governance arrangements should be undertaken in parallel with the FR, particularly given that a comprehensive governance review had not taken place since 2010/11. Acknowledging the difficulties that may be associated with doing this internally, it had also determined that the review should be undertaken independently. The Court was recommended to endorse this approach.

 

Resolved –That Members endorse a comprehensive, independent review of the City Corporation’s governance arrangements being undertaken, with the terms of reference of the review being “to review the governance arrangements of the organisation by undertaking a comprehensive examination of the City Corporation’s Code of Corporate Governance toensure that the arrangements are efficient, fair, transparent and accountable.”

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

19.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

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

Minutes:

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

(Deputy Tom Hoffman, M.B.E., Chief Commoner)

18 September 2019

Applications for Hospitality

 

(a)          150th Anniversary of United Synagogue

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception to mark the 150th anniversary in 2020 of the Jewish United Synagogues Act which formally established the United Synagogue as the union of British Orthodox Jewish synagogues. There is a long association between the City and the Jewish community dating back to shortly after the Norman Conquest. The United Synagogue, which began with three synagogues in the City of London, remained the largest UK Jewish synagogue body and the London Metropolitan Archives held one of the most important collections of Jewish archives in the country.

 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the United Synagogue with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the United Synagogue with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

 

(b)         101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment Reception 

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception following a parade at Guildhall to mark the return of the 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance and Search) to London. The Regiment had a long and distinguished history, as well as a close connection with the City of London.  In 1997 the then Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Nichols, granted permission for the Regiment to change its title to 101 (City of London) Engineer

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

20.

Planning and Transportation Committee pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To consider recommendations relating to the regulation of dockless vehicles on the highway and public places.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Planning and Transportation Committee

 

(Deputy Alastair Moss)

(1 October 2019)

Dockless Vehicle Hire Byelaw

The Court was recommended to delegate to London Councils’ Transport & Environment Committee (TEC) the authority to exercise the City Corporation’s byelaw-making function for the purpose of regulating dockless vehicles on the highway and/or public places by way of an addition to the existing TEC constitution.

 

DocklessCycle hire schemes fell outside existing legislative frameworks and the City Corporation did not have powers to prevent dockless cycle hire schemes from operating in the City. The lack of powers to manage dockless cycle hire operators had been recognised by TEC and Transport for London (TfL). In response, and following legal advice, TfL and London Councils had proposed a pan-London byelaw supported by an updated Dockless Vehicle Hire Operator Code of Practice.

 

TEC did not consider it practicable for the same Byelaw to be made independently by 33 London Local Authorities and was, therefore, seeking authority from all London Local Authorities and TfL to amend TEC’s constitution to enable TEC to make a pan-London byelaw on the authorities’ behalf.

 

Resolved – That authority be delegated to London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee to exercise the following functions by way of an addition to the Part 3(D) Functions in the LC TEC agreement, inserting a new paragraph 2(c) as follows:

“(c)(i) the making of byelaws under section 235 of the Local Government Act 1972 (and, in respect of the City of London Corporation, under section 39 of the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1961) for the purpose of regulating dockless vehicles on the highway and/or public places (including by making it an offence for a dockless vehicle operator to cause or permit their dockless vehicle to be left on the highway or public place other

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

21.

Port Health and Environmental Services Committee pdf icon PDF 84 KB

To consider the closure of the Signor Pasquale Favale Marriage Portions Charity.

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

Minutes:

Port Health and Environmental Services Committee

 

(Jeremy Lewis Simons)

23 July 2019

Signor Favale’s Marriage Portions Charity

The Signor Favale Marriage Portions Charity (206949) (the Favale Charity) was established in 1882 by the Will of Italian-born Pasquale Favale, with the intent of funding dowries for ‘poor, honest young women’, aged 16-25, who were born in the City of London and who had recently been, or were about to be, married. The Port Health and Environmental Services Committee had, for some time, been responsible for administering the Favale Charity.

 

The objects of this very small charity were now considered to be outmoded and most likely discriminatory, with the costs of administration significantly disproportionate to the funds available for distribution.  Furthermore, the Charity Commission had written to the City Corporation, under its Revitalising Trusts Programme, to remind the City Corporation of its legal obligations to ensure that, as Trustee, it was administering the Charity and spending its funds effectively, or otherwise to consider transferring its funds or updating its objects. 

 

Having considered this matter, your Port Health and Environmental Services Committee now recommended that the Court of Common Council, acting as Trustee of the Favale Charity, resolved to close the Charity by updating the objects to reflect those of the receiving charity, by releasing the restrictions on expenditure of the permanent endowment, and then transferring the charity’s funds free of restrictions to the City of London Corporation Combined Relief of Poverty Charity (1073660), subject to Charity Commission consent.  The Community and Children’s Services Committee, acting for the City Corporation as Trustee of that charity, had subsequently resolved that it was in that charity’s interests for it to take receipt of the funds on the basis proposed. The Court of Common Council was now asked to take the necessary decisions to

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

22.

Community and Children's Services Committee pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To consider an amendment to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

(Randall Keith Anderson)

(19 September 2019)

Amendment to the Committee’s Terms of Reference

The Community and Children’s Services Committee had suggested that the Terms of Reference might benefit from being widened to reflect more accurately the large amount of development underway on the City of London Corporation’s housing estates, which the Committee was responsible for overseeing. A proposed change was subsequently endorsed by your Policy and Resources on 19 September 2019 and the Court was now recommended to approve the suggested amendment to section 4(b) of the Committee’s terms of reference.

 

Resolved – That the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference of the Community and Children’s Services Committee, as set out in Appendix A (marked using italics and capitals), be approved.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

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 Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

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 Paragraph 3 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 23.

24.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 12 September 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

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

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Finance Committee

To consider the award of a contract for software and maintenance services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

Finance Committee

The Court noted recommendations concerning the award of a contract.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.