Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Charles Bowman, Alderman Sir David Howard, Robert Howard, Baroness Scotland, Giles Shilson and Jeremy Simons. 

There were no declarations.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2015 were approved.

The draft public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 May 2015 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 May 2015 were noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the procedure for conducting ballots for committee membership at meetings of the Court of Common Council.

During discussion a number of views were expressed on the merits of  introducing changes to the voting arrangements including  the alternative voting system, electronic voting, the benefits of providing CVs and the possibility of ballot papers being distributed prior to a meeting of the Court of Common Council. A number of Members expressed support for the alternative voting system given that it was well established and would ensure that winning candidates had wide support. The Committee asked that a further paper should be submitted giving examples of how an alternative system would work.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted and that a further paper be submitted to include practical examples of how an alternative voting system would work.

To consider the appointment of three Members to serve on the Investment Committee.

The Committee considered the appointment of three Members to serve on the Investment Committee.

RESOLVED - that James De Sausmarez, Alderman Peter Hewitt and Ann Holmes be appointed to serve on the Investment Committee as representatives of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk concerning the City of London Corporation’s Prevent Strategy 2015/16.

Discussion ensued on the provision of information on community engagement. Members were provided with details of some of the activities and support currently being undertaken by the City of London Police, the Schools and the Safer City Partnership. The Committee noted that the report in its current format reflected Home Office Guidance and that it set a base on which the City Corporation could build.

RESOLVED – that the content of the Prevent Strategy be endorsed and that it be referred to the Court of Common Council for approval.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the progress of the proposed creation of a centre for multi-faith understanding and education to be delivered through a new charitable company, known as Coexist House.

RESOLVED – the progress of the initiative be noted and that the formation of a new charitable company for Coexist House be endorsed.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

NB: With the exception of Appendix 5, the remaining appendices to this report have been circulated as a separately bound document.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the forthcoming referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union.

The Chairman advised that the report reflected the City Corporation’s position on the referendum currently and that its position would develop in the period leading up to the referendum. Whilst Members were broadly satisfied with the position and with the stance currently being taken a number of differing views were expressed including:-

·           more emphasis being placed on the issue of reform and on informing and populating the reform agenda;

·           the benefits of including examples of the type of reforms the City Corporation could focus on;

·           the uncertainty around what withdrawing from the EU would mean; and

·           the importance of the City Corporation maintaining its independence on the issue throughout the process.

The Chairman said that a further report would be brought forward when the views of more City institutions were known and when progress had been made in the negotiations.

RESOLVED – that the content of the report and its appendices be noted and that the stance currently being taken be endorsed.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the outcome of an independent review of the City’s Office in Brussels and the City Corporation’s European engagement activities. The report recommended the appointment of a new senior City representative in Brussels.

A Member sought details of the resources currently allocated to the Brussels office. The Chairman advised that the office had a current budget of approximately £400,000. Whilst the Committee acknowledged that the amount of additional resources requested was substantial, the need for more representation and further engagement in this area of work and the additional cost was accepted.

RESOLVED – That an additional £500,000 a year be allocated for three years (2015/16 – 2017/18) to fund the new senior representative position and support related activities. The 2015/16 allocation would be funded by carrying forward £500,000 from corporate under spends in 2014/15 and for 2016/17 and 2017/18 a base budget adjustment would be added to financial forecasts.

Report of the Director of Public Relations.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Relations concerning the proposed sponsorship of a programme of seminars organised by the Institute for Government on “Government and Regulators”.

RESOLVED -  That approval be given to the sponsorship of a series of public seminars and private roundtables to be held in partnership with the Institute for Government on “Government and Regulators”, at a cost of £25,000 to be met from Policy Initiatives Fund for 2015/16, categorised under Events and charged to City’s Cash.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the Policy Initiatives Fund (PIF) and the Committee’s contingency for 2015/16.

RESOLVED – That content of the report be noted and that a sum of £300,000 be added to the PIF to fund further activities including political engagement during the remainder of this financial year. This sum was to be funded by carrying forward corporate underspends in 2014/15.

A Member referred to the recent arrangements in respect of the Local Government Devolution Bill going through Parliament. He sought information on the steps being taken by the City Corporation to support more powers being devolved to London. The Chairman advised that the matter was being discussed at London Councils and there was general agreement on the principle of greater devolution in London. The difficulty was in respect of the level of government to which powers would be devolved – the Mayor, the boroughs or groupings of boroughs. In devolving funding, Government would wish to do so to one entity only. The City Corporation was playing a full part in discussions on the subject in London Councils. He also felt it might be a useful subject for a Members briefing meeting.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) 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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) 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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act:-

Item Nos.                              Paragraph(s) in Schedule 12A

15 – 19                                                         3

20                                                                 1

Part 2 – Non-Public Agenda

To consider non-public minutes of meetings as follows:-

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2015 were approved.

The draft non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 May 2015 were noted.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chief Grants Officer concerning the allocation of surplus income from Bridge House Estates.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk reporting action taken in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman since the last meeting of the Committee in accordance with standing orders.

RESOLVED - that the approval given in respect of the procurement of services in connection with Central London Forward’s Working Capital Service be noted.

There were no questions.

The following item of urgent business was considered:-

MUSEUM OF LONDON

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the City Surveyor requesting that the approval of certain matters concerning the possible relocation of the Museum of London be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the relevant Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen.

To note the draft confidential minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 May 2015.

The draft confidential minutes of the meeting of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee held on 28 May 2015 were noted.