Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Charles Bowman, John Bennett, Nicholas Bensted-Smith and Alderman Ian Luder.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council from 19 April 2018.

The Committee received an Order of the Court of Common Council of 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.29. The Town Clerk read a list of Members eligible to stand and Dr Giles Shilson, being the only Member who expressed his willingness to serve, was duly elected as Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.30. The Town Clerk read a list of Members eligible to stand and Christopher Hayward, being the only Member who expressed his willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 23 February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 23 February 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk regarding annual appointments to the Gresham Working Party.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

·         note the Terms of Reference of the Gresham Working Party;

·         approve the re-appointment of Simon Duckworth, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Edward Lord, and Alderman Ian Luder to the Working Party; and

·         endorse the delegated authority procedures in accordance with Standing Order No. 41.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk regarding appointments to the Gresham College Council.

The Committee noted that, at the Gresham College Council’s Extraordinary General Meeting of 19 April 2018, it had been agreed that the Articles of Association should be amended to allow Members of the Council to serve an additional two years.

RESOLVED – That Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Tom Hoffman, John Scott, and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson be reappointed to the Gresham College Council.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk regarding appointments to the Gresham College Council.

The Committee noted that, at the Gresham College Council’s Extraordinary General Meeting of 19 April 2018, it had been agreed that the Articles of Association should be amended to allow Members of the Council to serve an additional two years.

RESOLVED – That Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Tom Hoffman, John Scott, and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson be reappointed to the Gresham College Council.

City Surveyor to be heard.

The City Surveyor provided the Committee with an oral update in respect of recent property activities; the City Surveyor advised that Fortnum and Mason had signed a lease for the ground floor of the Royal Exchange and a planning application had been made to make changes to the flooring.

The Committee noted that footfall had previously been an issue for the Royal Exchange and observed that the arrival of Fortnum and Mason was expected to provide an increased draw to potential customers. It was suggested that digital signage could be utilised to encourage visitors and increased footfall to the building, as well as advertising forthcoming Gresham College lectures. The Chairman observed that the screens and digital signage used at the Barbican Centre might provide a useful example of the type of technology which could be utilised.  

A Member noted that, at a previous meeting of the Committee, a request had been made for improved lighting within the Royal Exchange to facilitate better visibility of the murals within the building and asked if there had been any progress on this matter. The Deputy Chairman explained that Oxford Properties had agreed not to take this forward due to the complexity of the project.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the update.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk detailing two decisions taken since the last meeting to appoint a Professor of Music and a Professor of Divinity to Gresham College.

The Chairman explained that all Members of the Committee were eligible to sit on the College’s Professorship Panels and encouraged Members to take part. It was noted that there had been difficulties in recruiting Members to the Panels and it was suggested that the College notify all Members of the City Side Committee when opportunities arose.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item Nos.                                                        Exempt Paragraph(s)

15,16                                                                           3

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2018.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the proposed funding arrangements for Gresham College.

The Committee considered the various items on the agenda for the meeting of the Joint Grand Gresham Committee that day.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.