Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from George Gillon, Andrew McMurtrie, Andrew Parmley, Dhruv Patel, Giles Shilson and Sir Michael Snyder.

Henry Colthurst, Catherine McGuiness and Hugh Morris declared an interest in Item no. 17 as directors of the Multi Academy Trust.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2016 were approved subject to the “absence of civilian oversight” being added to the list of reasons why a Member was opposed to the introduction of the Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order.

The draft public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 January 2016 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the joint Resource Allocation and Efficiency and Performance Sub-Committees meeting with Committee Chairmen held on 14 January 2016 were considered. It was also noted that the minutes would be amended to better reflect that the joint meeting was a meeting of two Sub-Committees.

The draft public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 January 2016 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the Business Ratepayers Consultation meeting held on 3 February 2016 were noted.

To consider a resolution from the Standards Committee meeting held on 29 January 2016 concerning the production of guidance on Ward Newsletters.

The Committee considered a resolution from the Standards Committee concerning guidance relating to the use of the Ward Newsletters in the run-up to the 2017 Common Council elections.

Members noted that final Ward Newsletter for 2016 was due to be distributed in November. It was also noted that guidance would be issued to all Members of the Court on the use of the City Corporations facilities and other matters in the lead up to the 2017 Common Council Ward elections.

RESOLVED – that the Standards Committee be advised that final Ward Newsletter for 2016 would be distributed in November and that guidance would be issued to all Members of the Court in the autumn on the use of City Corporation facilities and  other matters in the lead up to the 2017 Common Council Ward elections.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the timetable for considering the outcome of Government’s negotiations with the European Union (EU) Council and the date of the referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the EU.

RESOLVED –That the report be noted.

Resolution of the Establishment Committee meeting held on 4 February, together with a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee considered a resolution of the Establishment Committee together with a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of Human Resources setting out proposals for the Statutory Dismissal Procedures for the Head of Paid Services (Town Clerk), Monitoring Officer (Comptroller and City Solicitor) and the Section 151 Officer (Chamberlain).

The Chairman referred to the three recommendations of the Establishment Committee. He stated that he was supportive of the Chairmen of Policy, Finance and establishment having oversight for the investigation of complaints concerning the three officers; he did not think it necessary to include all three independent persons of the Standards Committee and suggested that this be changed to any two of the independent persons of that Committee; and he was not supportive of the Standards Committee having oversight of investigations. The Committee supported his views.

Reference was made to the amendment to Standing Orders and it was suggested that consideration also be given the amendment of Standing Order No. 29 (3) to enable the Chairman of the Statutory Officer Review Panel to be the Chairman of another Committee at the same time. A Member expressed concern about the wording of Standing Order No. 63 as it did not address the process. It was suggested that the approval of the final wording of that Standing Order be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

RESOLVED – That:-

1.     the oversight of the investigation of any complaints regarding the Town Clerk, Comptroller and City Solicitor or Chamberlain be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Chairman of the Establishment Committee;

2.     Subject to the approval of the Court of Common Council:-

·         a new non-ward committee be created known as the Statutory

Resolution of the Establishment Committee meeting held on 4 February, together with a report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Human Resources concerning the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 together with a resolution from the Establishment Committee.

The Committee supported the inclusion of the Head Teachers of the three independent Schools and the Remembrancer in the list of Senior Management together with a note explaining the difference in terms of pay as suggested by the Establishment Committee.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above-mentioned amendment, the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 be agreed and be submitted to the Court of Common Council for approval.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by the Finance Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning a cross-cutting review of opportunities for income generation.

Members received a presentation from the Partnerships Adviser, Sue Baxter. The Chairman pointed out that Sue Baxter was shortly due to leave the City Corporation and thanked her on behalf of the Committee for her hard work and contribution to the service based review initiative. 

RESOLVED – that the content of the report be noted and the overall proposals be endorsed.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the Thames Festival Trust’s Rivers of the World event in 2016.

RESOLVED – a sum of £15,000 be allocated from the Policy Initiative Fund to Thames Festival Trust’s 2016 Rivers of the World project.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development proposing the sponsorship of a lecture by Yanis Varoufakis entitled “New Economics” and the sponsorship of an event with former Shadow Chancellor, Chris Leslie MP.

It was noted that the lecture would be organised in partnership with the think tank, Class.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the provision of £15,000 in support of a lecture by Yanis Varoufakis at Haberdashers’ Hall and £4,000 for an event with former Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie MP in the Livery Hall, to be met from the Policy Initiatives Fund for 2015/16, categorised under Events and charged to City’s Cash

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

NB: the Committee will receive a short presentation from the Co-Chairs of the Study Panel, Alderman and Sheriff Bowman and Debby Ounsted CBE (Annex A of the report).

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the City Corporation’s work on employability and the improvements being introduced in support of that area work.

The Committee noted the progress being made by the Study Panel commissioned to look at what more could be done on employability of young Londoners and heard from the Co-Chairs of the Panel, Alderman And Sheriff Bowman and Debbie Ounsted, on its work.

Reference was made to the high profile composition of the Panel and the enthusiasm shown towards the nature of its work. The overarching aims of the Panel were also explained. This included building on work already being undertaken elsewhere, working in collaboration with others, avoiding duplication by targeting support where it was needed and including smaller firms in the initiative given their local knowledge.

The Chairman of the City Bridge Trust referred to the synergy between the work of the Trust and the work being undertaken on employability and suggested that the report was also submitted to the City Bridge Trust for information. He also pointed out that to assist with targeting funds each year the Trust undertook an assessment exercise of areas of deprivation and suggested that it might be worth considering for this project.

In addition the Committee noted the progress made in developing an employability Framework and expressed support for the next steps as set out in paragraph 10 of Annex B of the report. It also supported the use of Section 106 (S106) funding to assist in driving the City Corporation’s role as a leader in employability.

RESOLVED – That:-

1.    the work of the Study Panel (Annex A) be noted;

2.    the progress made in developing the City Corporation’s employability Framework (Annex B) be noted and that the next steps in taking

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Members noted that the initiatives approved earlier this day would alter the balance of the Policy Initiatives Funded to £133,300.

A Member pointed out that the World Athletic Championships was coming to London next year and referred to the previous undertaking to provide support, in the form of hospitality, for major sports events. He questioned whether forthcoming events were continuing to being investigated.  

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that officers be requested to look at the provision of support in the form of hospitality for major, forthcoming, sporting events.

In response to a question about the increasing number of emails received by Members from focus and protest groups, the Chairman agreed that that type of activity was on the increase and that it was now part of the landscape of those undertaking civic duties.

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

                 16a-f                                                                      3

                 17 - 18                                                                   3

                 19                                                                           1

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

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2016 were approved.

The draft non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 January 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the joint Resource Allocation and Efficiency and Performance Sub-Committees meeting with Committee Chairmen held on 14 January 2016 were noted. It was also noted that the draft minutes would be amended to reflect the status of the meeting more accurately.

The draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 26 January 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 28 January 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Ceremonials Working Party meeting held on 29 January 2016 were noted.

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 Committee concerning the creation of two further academies in the London Borough of Hackney. 

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the Promoting the City Review.

The Town Clerk was heard regarding the cost and staffing implications of implementing the Promoting the City Review.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.