Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Doug Barrow, Charles Bowman, Roger Chadwick, Alex Deane, Hugh Morris and Baroness Scotland.

The Chairman declared an interest in Item no. 26 by virtue of being a Member of PwC Advisory Board. Sir Michael Snyder declared an interest in Item no. 10 by virtue of being a Trustee on the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2016 were approved subject item 2  reflecting the fact that the Chairman was a member of the Centre London Board  and not the Centre for London.

The draft public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 6 October 2016 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 October 2016 were noted.

The draft public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 6 October 2016 were noted.

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

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Remembrancer.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Remembrancer concerning the Boundary Commission’s review of parliamentary constituency boundaries.

RESOLVED – That the draft response to the Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries as set out in the appendix to the report be approved and that the Remembrancer be authorised to submit it to the Commission.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces.

NB: This report will also be considered by the Open Spaces Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces concerning the funding of the Open Spaces learning Programme.

It was noted that the report would also be considered by the Education Board.

RESOLVED – That a sum of up to £200,000 be allocated from carry-forwards and reserves to support the Open Spaces Learning Programme in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

NB: This report has been approved by the Planning and Transportation Committee and was also received by the Police Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the introduction of an Anti-Terrorism Traffic Order (ATTRO) in the City of London.

It was noted that the Planning and Transportation Committee was supportive of the Order.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the making of the ATTRO and to the indemnity being provided to Transport for London in the Section 101 Agreement.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

NB: The report has been considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee and a resolution from the Sub-Committee will follow. The report is also to be considered by the Planning and Transportation Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning traffic congestion and a range of measures which could be considered to improve traffic flow.

The Committee noted the recommendations of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee.

In response to concerns about the absence of more detailed information and focus on measures such as restricting deliveries, the Chairman of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee advised that there was no easy solution to the current traffic congestion problems. The City Corporation had a long way to go and the suggested measures contained in the report were just a starting point to assist the debate on finding appropriate solutions.  He pointed out that at this stage the proposals represented macro level thoughts which would need to be developed and discussed with Transport for London in due course. The Chairman and another Member expressed concern at the time being taken on the issue, which had been raised more than a year ago.

A Member advised of the importance of developing policies which were deliverable, for example, whilst daytime deliveries were a major issue for the City it was a London-wide problem and the City Corporation did not have the power to deal with the issue in isolation. Any measures to be pursed should therefore include information on whether proposals were deliverable.

In response to concerns about the impact of night-time deliveries, it was noted that it was possible to manage any adverse effects such as noise. 

Detailed discussion ensued, during which, amongst other things Members acknowledged that it was important to strike a balance between the needs of all road users; noted that traffic congestion was the subject of the biggest single complaint received by City Corporation and expressed support for consideration of restrictions on daytime deliveries to be progressed, including

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the receipt of an application for the Still and star Public House to be designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The Committee noted the recommendation of the Planning and Transportation Committee.

Rev’d Campbell-Taylor was in attendance and expressed support for the application. He questioned the reasons given by the Planning and Transportation Committee for not supporting the application and advised that in his view the intention of the Localism Act was clear as approximately 80% of the ACVs granted were public houses. He referred the historical nature of the pub and to the narrow vote on which the decision had been made. He believed that the Planning Committee had misinterpreted the meaning of local community to mean “residents” rather than the wider community. He therefore urged the Policy and Resources Committee to support the application.

The Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee referred to the absence of a definition of “community” and explained the reasons on which that Committee had based its recommendation. Detailed discussion ensued during which, amongst other things, the following comments were made:-

·          more detailed information was required in order for the Committee to make a decision;

·          a number of Members expressed support for the initial recommendation of officers;

·          it was important to adopt a policy for dealing with ACVs before determining any application; and

·          the responsibility for determining applications for buildings and land  to be designated as an ACV was a matter for the Policy and Resources Committee.

After further discussion it was suggested that the application be deferred and that in the meantime a policy be developed and submitted to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration, together with the application. Members supported the suggestion.

RESOLVED

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the funding of Coexist House, a learning institution and centre in London dedicated to promoting understanding of religion and to encouraging respect and tolerance.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the provision of £60,000 phased over three years (£20,000 in 2016/17, £20,000 in 2017/18 and £20,000 in 2018/19) from the Committee’s Contingency (charged to City’s Cash) in support of the Coexist House initiative.

Sir Michael Snyder withdrew from the meeting whilst the following item was considered.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust’s Fundraising Dinner.

The Town Clerk stated that it was unlikely that the expenditure of £30,000 would be required.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the City Corporation hosting a fundraising dinner at Guildhall for the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust at a cost not exceeding £30,000 to be met from the Committee’s Contingency for 2016/17 and charged to City’s Cash.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the creation of a new post of Special Representative for Asia.

The Chairman was heard in support of the report. He advised that it followed the City Corporation’s approach in dealing with Europe and pointed out that an individual had already been identified given the special nature of the job and the limited options it presented.

A Member questioned whether the approach suggested was sufficient given the difference between the Chinese and Indian markets. He stated that in his view further information and options were required in order for the Committee to make a decision on such an important matter.The Member advised that the proposal was an expensive approach, and the key to obtaining value was the ability of the role to engage with “docking stations” (offices) in the markets and also to operate in London. In order for the proposal to be successful the individual appointed would also need to have convening power and credibility.

During further discussion following comments were made:-

·             whilst the model adopted for Europe was successful, the one size approach was not always effective;

·             some Members were of the opinion that the difference in the two markets was significant enough to warrant the appointment two separate individuals;

·             currently the City Corporation’s activities in Asia were insufficient and having a fulltime person representing the organisation would be a huge benefit;

·             whilst the two markets were different the government currently had one Minister covering Asia;

·             having a representative for Asia was important and whilst the budget should be controlled the appointment should not be constrained by it. As long as this, the terms of reference and ways of working were clearly specified the need for a separation of the two markets could be developed

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the sponsorship of the Centre for Policy Studies Margaret Thatcher Conference on Liberty in June 2017.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the provision of £20,000 from the 2017/18 Policy Initiatives Fund to sponsor the Margaret Thatcher Conference on Liberty in June 2017, categorised under “Events” and charged to City’s Cash.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the City Corporation’s work programme to support the UK-based financial and professional services industry following the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.

The Chairman reminded Members that the report followed a request from the Court of Common Council for Members to be provided with details of the City Corporation’s activities supporting Brexit. Reference was made to the complexities of the issue and it was suggested that it would be useful to have a summary of the key points and messages included in the report. The Committee supported the suggestion.

RESOLVED – that the report it be noted and that the report be submitted to the Court of Common Council subject to the inclusion of a summary of the key points.

To note reports of the Director of Community and Children’s Services on the outcome of the following Ofsted inspections:-

The Committee considered the reports of the Director of Community and Children’s Services concerning the successful outcome of three Ofsted inspections.

The Chairman advised Members that the Director would shortly be leaving the City Corporation and taking up a new position in the London Borough of Bromley. He referred to the Director’s contribution to the City Corporation’s work over the last four years and to excellent results which had been achieved. The Chairman thanked the Director on behalf of the Committee for all his hard work.

RESOLVED – that the Ofsted reports relating to Child Protection, the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board and the Adult Skills and Education Service be noted.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on the progress of the activities contained in the departmental business plan for the period 1 July to 30 September 2016.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk on risk management and the two corporate risks relating to the Committee, resilience and loss of business support for the City.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considereda statement of the Chamberlain on the use of the Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency for 2016/17.

RESOLVED – That the statement be noted.

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.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that approval had been given to the provision of £25,000 for the City Corporation to support and participate in the 2016 Global Innovation Summit organised by Imperial College London and the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils.

There were no questions.

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

22 - 27                                                                                     3

Part 2 – Non-Public Agenda

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

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2016 were approved.

The draft non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 6 October 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 6 October 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 October 2016 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Cultural Hub Working Party meeting held on 17 October 2016 were noted.

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

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the City Surveyor.

NB: This report will also be considered by the Finance Committee.

The Committee considered and agreed a joint report of the Chamberlain and the City Surveyor concerning the Wireless Concession Contract .

Report of the City Surveyor.

NB: This report has been considered and is recommended for approval by your Courts Sub-Committee. The report is also due to be considered by your Projects Sub-Committee.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the City Surveyor concerning Phase 2 of the Central Criminal Court Plant replacements works.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk reporting action taken by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman since the last meeting of the Committee. The action taken with regard to the relocation of the Adult Skills and Education Service was noted.

Report of the City Surveyor (TO FOLLOW).

NB: This report will also be considered by the Finance Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor concerning the next stage of proposals to relocate the Museum of London. With the exception of one recommendation, the proposals were approved.

Report of the Chamberlain (TO FOLLOW).

NB: This report will also be considered by the Finance Committee.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain concerning the funding of improvements to the City Corporation’s IT infrastructure. It was noted that the proposal was supported by the Finance Committee.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.