Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Charles Bowman, Henry Colthurst, Baroness Scotland and John Tomlinson.

There were no declarations.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2015 were approved.

The draft public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 1 December 2015 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the Members Privileges Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2015 were noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the Committee’s terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference be amended to include a dedicated sub-committee for outside bodies and it be submitted to the Court of Common Council in the usual manner.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the constitution and terms of reference of the new Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

A Member suggested that in the interests of efficiency, should this Committee have an annual Dinner consideration be given to combining it with that of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED – that subject to the approval of the Court of Common Council,  the constitution and terms of reference of the Health and Social Care Committee be approved as set out below:-

A non-Ward Committee consisting of:-

·         Any 6 Members appointed by the Court of Common Council

·         1 Co-opted Healthwatch representative.

The above shall not be Members of the Community & Children’s Services Committee or the Health & Wellbeing Board

To be responsible for:-

·         fulfilling the City’s health and social care scrutiny role in keeping with the aims expounded in the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and Part 14 of the Local Government and Public Health Act 2007 (Patient and Public Involvement in Care and Social Care);

·         agreeing and implementing an annual work programme; and

·         receiving and taking account of the views of relevant stakeholders and service providers by inviting representations to be made at appropriate meetings.

To consider a resolution of the Education Board dated 3 December 2015.

This item was withdrawn and it was noted that a report on the funding of Christ’s Hospital and King Edward’s School Witley would be prepared for consideration in due course.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on the City Corporation’s voter registration activities for 2016/17.

Reference was made to the programme of activities and the funding earmarked for advertising on the London Underground (approximately £24k). Members’ views were sought on whether this expenditure would be better spent on employing an additional member of staff to assist with the City Corporation’s canvassing activities. The Committee supported this.

In response to a query about the registration of businesses located in multiple use premises, the Chairman explained that this was a relatively new issue which the Comptroller and City Solicitor would be looking into. There were some legal issues which would need to be addressed but the aim would be to enable as many businesses to register as possible.

Reference was made to the use of a strapline on voter registration in the annual communicating with the 800 licensed premises in the City. Members were advised that, where appropriate, it was already proposed that a strapline should be used on communication with residents and businesses.

It was also suggested that officers look into a mechanism that would allow those who expressed an interest in registering mid-year to do so. Members supported this.

RRSOLVED – That:-

1.   the latest provisional results for registration on the 2016/17 Ward Lists be noted;

2.   subject to comments and suggestions set out above, the various registration activities proposed during 2016 to ensure that as many people and businesses as possible on the 2017/18 Ward Lists for the 2017 Ward elections be approved as set out in report; and

3.   a budget of up to £90,000 be approved to undertake the activities, the cost of which should be met from the Committee’s contingency for 2016/17 and charged to City Fund.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the overall expenditure for, and the City Corporation’s contribution towards, the London Councils Grants Scheme.

RESOLVED – that:-

1.     approval be given to the total amount of expenditure to be incurred in 2016/17 under the London Councils Grants Scheme (£10.486m) as set out in appendices to the report and to the City Corporation’s subscription to the Scheme (£8,047) for 2016/17; and

2.     subject to the Court of Common Council’s approval (as levying body for the Scheme), the levy of £9m be agreed and that it be noted that this approval would be sought using the urgency procedures and was subject to the agreement before 1 February 2016 to the total expenditure to be incurred of at least two-thirds of the constituent councils.

Report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

NB: Appendix 1 of this report (Policy and Procedure Manual) has been circulated as a separately bound document.

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning the outcome of a recent inspection by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioners and other activities undertaken with regard to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

RESOLVED – that the content of the report be noted and the following be approved-

1.   the amended version of the City Corporation’s Policy and Procedure manual (Appendix 1 of the report); and

2.   RIPA uses/activities now be reported to this Committee on a six monthly basis.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the appointment of a governor on the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

It was noted that a further report would be submitted on the reappointment/ term limits for serving as a governor on the Board.

RESOLVED - that the Rt Hon the Lord Paul Boateng be reappointed on the Board of Governors of the Museum of London for a further term of four years and that a report on the terms for serving on the Board be considered in due course.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by the Finance Committee at its meeting on 19 January 2016.

This report was with withdrawn having been referred back to the Chamberlain for further work.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment proposing the introduction of an Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) in the City on a permanent basis.

Members were informed that details of how the Order would operate were still being discussed with Transport for London (TfL) and as a consequence it was suggested that the Order be approved in principle and that the Town Clerk be authorised to settle the details of the protocol. Members also noted that, subject to the clarification of certain legal aspects, the Police Committee had considered and approved the introduction of the ATTRO earlier that day.

Discussion ensued on the merits of introducing a permanent ATTRO during which:-

·         the Committee questioned whether the rank of the police officer required to make the decision on the instigation of the ATTRO was appropriate.

·         a Member advised that he was not supportive of the action proposed. He highlighted a number of reasons for this which, amongst other things, included the absence of civilian oversight and the lack of information on the safeguards to be put in place, there was no information on what other Forces were doing and that no consultation had taken place with central government or relevant agencies about the merits of undertaking such action.

·         the Comptroller and City Solicitor referred to the issue of human rights and advised that careful consideration had been given to that aspect. He also highlighted that appropriate consultation would need to take place prior to the use of the Order.

·         It was suggested that following the consultation exercise, the decision on whether to proceed with the ATTRO and the approval of the protocol should be dealt with by Committee (the Policy and Resources and Police Committees) rather than under delegated authority.

After further discussion a

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development proposing the extension of the City Careers Open House Programme.

In response to a question on whether Sir John Cass School would be included in the Programme, the Chairman stated his recollection was that the School was already included but nevertheless asked officers to confirm. He added that the Programme should now be seeking to reach beyond the City’s neighbouring boroughs; a proposal would be brought to the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED - That the success of the existing programme be noted and that a sum of up to £100,000 be allocated from the training, skills and job brokerage allocation of Section 106 monies to extend the City Careers Open House programme for the academic year 2016/17 to provide visits to City employers.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee considered a report of the Remembrancer concerning the provisions of the Housing and Planning Bill.

It was noted that amongst other things the Bill was seeking to fund the extension of right to buy to housing association tenants through requiring the sale of high-value local authority housing; bringing about a shift away from affordable rental housing towards ‘starter homes’ for first-time buyers and enabling planning permission to be granted ‘in principle’ for land identified as suitable for housing.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the Policy Initiatives Fund and the Committee Contingency for 2015/16.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

Business Rate Premium

The Committee considered a draft resolution of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation and Efficiency and Performance Sub-Committees with Committee Chairmen held on 14 January 2016, a copy of which was laid round the table. The resolution recommended the business rate premium for 2016/17 be increased by 0.1p.

The Chairman stated that he had envisaged that consideration would be given to the premium being increased next year and possibly in the two following years with stakeholders being advised this year so that the matter was dealt with in a timely manner. He questioned whether it was wise to consider increasing the rate at this stage, especially as next year’s budget for policing had already been settled and no reference to an increase had been included in the letter sent to business ratepayers. The Chairman also reminded the Committee that the Finance Committee was responsible for taxation and that this Committee would merely be forwarding its view regarding an increase based on its deliberations today.

Detailed discussion ensued on whether the business rate premium should be increased during which a number of points were raised:-

·         Members were reminded that the premium had been introduced to assist with the funding required to make the City more secure and not for funding other aspects of policing.

·         Consideration should be given to raising taxes at a point of need only. The policing budget had already been settled therefore it was now difficult to justify. Furthermore, any funds raised as a result of the increase would not be allocated to the 2016/17 budget but was likely to be held in reserves;

·         Reference was made to forthcoming coming discussions with government regarding rates retention and the City Offset. Concern was expressed that increasing the rate at this stage might have an adverse

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

                 19a-e                                                                     3

                 20 - 29                                                              3

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

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2015 were approved.

The draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 1 December 2015 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Members Privileges Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2015 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Ceremonials Working Party meeting held on 15 December 2015 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 11 December 2015 were noted.

Report of Remembrancer.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Remembrancer concerning the outcome of a review into the effectiveness on the City Corporation’s Hospitality arrangements.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services concerning the expansion of the City Corporation’s Academy programme by sponsoring a further two schools.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report was considered by the Efficiency and Performance Sub (Finance) Committee at its meeting on 13 January 2016.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Chamberlain updating it on the progress of the service based review savings programme and the changes made to it.

Report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

NB: This report was considered by the Efficiency and Performance Sub (Finance) Committee on 13 January 2016 and is due to be considered by the Establishment Committee on 4^th February 2016.

The Committee considered and received a report of the Town Clerk updating it on the progress in implementing the service based review targets in the Town Clerk’s Department.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by your Resource Allocation Sub-Committee on 14^th January 2016 and its recommendation will be reported verbally at the meeting.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain concerning the funding of the business case for the relocation of the Museum of London to Smithfield General Market.

Report of the Town Clerk.

NB: This report will have been considered by your Resource Allocation Sub-Committee on 14^th January 2016 and its recommendation will be reported verbally at the meeting.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Town Clerk concerning a counter terrorism review of the security arrangements at a number of the City Corporation’s operational properties.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by your Resource Allocation Sub-Committee on 14^th January 2016 and its recommendation will be reported verbally at the meeting.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain concerning the additional works programmes (AWP) for 2014/15 and 2016/17.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by your Resource Allocation Sub-Committee on 14^th January 2016 and its recommendation will be reported verbally at the meeting. Background papers relating to the individual projects covered in the report are available on request.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain concerning the funding of a number projects.

Reports of the City Surveyor as follows:-

The Committee received annual progress reports of the City Surveyor concerning the following property estates:-

28a.  Strategic Property Estate.

28b.  City Fund Strategic Review.

28c.  City’s Estate Strategic Review.

28d.  Bridge House Estates Strategic Review.

RESOLVED – that the Strategic Reviews as referred to above be noted.

NB: The Annual Reviews have been circulated as a separately bound electronic document only. Hard copies of the Reviews are available on request from the Town Clerk’s department.

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.

The Committee noted the action taken concerning the relocation of the Museum of London.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.