Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Vivienne Littlechild, Andrew McMurtrie, Baroness Scotland, Giles Shilson and Jeremy Simons.

There were no declarations.

The Committee agreed to altering the order of the agenda in order and considered matters relating to the European Union Referendum as follows:-

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee agreed to altering the order of the agenda and to considered matters relating to the European Union Referendum as follows:-

Referendum on the UK's Membership of the European Union

3a.   Members considered a report of the Director of Economic Development seeking a view on whether the City Corporation should adopt a position on the UK’s membership of the European Union (EU) and, if so, what that position should be.

The Chairman suggested that the Committee consider firstly whether a position on the UK’s membership of the EU should be adopted and secondly, depending on the outcome, decide what that view should be. He also suggested that given the importance of the matter a vote be taken at the conclusion of the Committee’s deliberations. Members supported his suggestion.

During discussion on whether the City Corporation should adopt an official position a number of different views were expressed which, amongst other things, included:-

·               The City Corporation needed to remain relevant to its stakeholders. It was therefore important for the City Corporation to comment on major strategic issues which had an impact on them. It was felt that on this occasion the City Corporation’s silence would not be welcome.

·               A Member stated that he was torn by the issue but nevertheless felt that adopting a position was contestable and divisive. In his view the issue was not about silence it was about whether the City Corporation should abandon its neutrality. He felt that the City should remain neutral in line with its historic approach as a convenor and reflector of opinion.

·               Members were reminded that they had been elected to represent the City. The issue of whether to remain “in or out” was the biggest decision the UK would be making since WWII and therefore it was right for the City

Joint report of the Town Clerk, Remembrancer and the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk, Remembrancer and Comptroller and City Solicitor concerning the provisions of the European Union Referendum Act 2015. The report noted that should more than £10,000 of regulated expenditure be incurred in connection with procuring a ‘remain’ or ‘leave’ vote (as defined by the Commission) the City Corporation would need to register as a “permitted participant” with the Commission which would enable spending to be incurred up to £700,000.

The Chairman expressed concern about the Electoral Commission’s interpretation of the rules for campaigning. He stated that whilst there were no plans to incur additional expenditure, the manner in which the City Corporation usually operates could be deemed as campaigning.

It was suggested that, for the avoidance of doubt, the City Corporation should register as a “permitted participant”.

Reference was made to the 28 day purdah period (applicable to Ministers, government departments and local authorities) immediately preceding the date of the poll. It was agreed that, bearing in mind that the City Corporation would not be subject to the purdah on account of its hybrid nature whose expenses were not defrayed wholly or mainly out of public funds, the implementation of a purdah period was not necessary

Members supported both suggestions.

RESOLVED – That:-

1.     if required by the legislation to do so, the City Corporation register as a ‘permitted participant’ with the Electoral Commission;

2.     bearing in mind that the City Corporation would not be subject to the purdah on account of its hybrid nature whose expenses were not defrayed wholly or mainly out of public funds, the implementation of a purdah period was not necessary; and

3.     it be noted that donations, sponsorship and affiliation fees provided by the City Corporation to organisations that might become participants in the referendum campaign

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.