Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Doug Barrow, Tijs Broeke, Alderman Peter Estlin, and Alderman Ian Luder.

Sir Mark Boleat declared an interest in respect of item 12 by virtue of having previously acted in an advisory capacity for the Centre for European Reform.

Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark declared an interest in respect of Item 25 as a Church Warden of St Lawrence Jewry.

To note the Order of the Court appointing the Committee and approving its terms of reference.

Members noted the Order of the Court of Common Council of 19 April 2019 appointing the Committee and agreeing its terms of reference for the ensuing year

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.  A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Catherine McGuinness being the only Member expressing willingness to serve was duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

The Chairman welcomed Mark Wheatley to his first meeting of the Committee.  She also thanked outgoing Members Deputy John Bennett, Deputy Wendy Hyde, Wendy Mead and Hugh Morris for their contribution to the work of the Committee.

To elect three Deputy Chairmen in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

NB: Following consultation one will assume the role of Deputy Chairman and the other two, the role of Vice Chairmen.

The Committee proceeded to elect its Deputy Chairmen in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. Simon Duckworth, Christopher Hayward and Deputy Tom Sleigh being the only three Members expressing a willingness to serve, all three were duly elected Deputy Chairmen for the ensuing year

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2018.

The public minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2018 were approved.

To note the draft minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 April 2018.

The public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee of 24 April 2018 were noted.

Matters Arising – City Corporation’s Position on Brexit

The Chairman referred to the City Corporation’s position on Brexit and the Single Market. She stated that, whilst there were some strongly-held views from all sides, the organisation’s legitimacy and credibility rested on its ability to speak for the financial and professional services sector, as well as for its voters – businesses and residents – and on being able to put forward options based on what was politically possible.

The City Corporation, together with the FRPS sector, had been taking a pragmatic line since the referendum result and had been working with the sector to identify the issues and develop solutions which stay within the Government’s “red lines”. Broad consensus around arguing for “three Ts” -  Trade, Transition and Talent - had been achieved. 

On Trade, we were calling for the greatest possible level of market access, through the model of mutual recognition proposed by the International Regulatory Strategy Group. 

She assured Members that the City Corporation’s position would remain pragmatic and if there was a change in the Government’s position discussions would take place with Members to ascertain a response. She advised that the Director of Economic Development had been asked to organise a briefing with representatives of the FRPS sector so that members of the Committee could engage on the issues directly. 

The Chairman concluded by stating that the City Corporation should maintain a flexible and pragmatic approach. Should the Government’s position, the political situation or the industry position change, the matter would be discussed with the Committee as a matter of urgency.

Several Members spoke to endorse the Chairman’s sentiments and the proposed approach. A Member also observed that the interests of

Note from the Police Committee.

The Committee considered a note from the Police Committee concerning the business rate premium.

Whilst observing that it was appropriate for the Police Committee to raise concerns in relation to funding requirements, it was noted that it was not within the bailiwick of that Committee to specify where such funding should come from.

RECEIVED.

Resolution from the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 April 2018.

The Committee considered a resolution from the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 April 2018 concerning gender diversity on the City Corporation’s Committees.

A Member observed that there was a significant diversity deficit on the Committee and suggested that a radical solution was required to address this. The possibility of quotas was suggested, with it noted that, whilst controversial, these already existed on the Committee to facilitate representation from both residential and more newly-elected Members of the Court. Several Members spoke to express their opposition to the proposal, suggesting that they would not wish to be considered part of a quota or to have it considered that they had not been elected solely on their own merits.

The increasing diversity of the Court as a whole in recent years was noted, with it suggested that the voting system used for elections to the Committee might perhaps be worth exploring as a potential cause of the discrepancy between the overall Court’s composition and representation on Committees. Members also spoke to emphasise the difference between positive discrimination and positive action, with it suggested that increased outreach and engagement activity with City businesses and residents would pay dividends in encouraging a more representative spread of candidates for election to the Court.

The Chairman thanked Members for their comments, observing that there was a proposal to establish a Members’ Diversity Working Party at item 10 which would take up this issue. She also made reference to a forthcoming session she would be hosting for female Members, to consider the issue of gender balance and representation more specifically.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the appointment of the Committee’s sub-committees, working parties and representatives on other committees.

It was noted that the terms of reference of the Projects Sub-Committee had been amended last year to as follows; “excluding those within the remit of the Cyclical Works Programme (although these may be called-in by the Projects Sub-Committee), to ensure their delivery within the parameters set by the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee”.

In addition, following debate it was agreed that the final sentence of the Terms of Reference of the Housing Delivery Programme Working Group should be amended to add the words “700 on the City Corporation’s Housing Revenue Account estates and 3,000 on other sites owned by the City Corporation”.

With regard to the Member Diversity Working Party, it was agreed that it would be beneficial to enable the Working Party to appoint up to two external Members, as was the case with the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee, to provide additional expertise and an external viewpoint. It was also agreed that the Chairman of the Establishment Committee should be an ex-officio Member of the Working Party, given that Committee’s responsibilities in respect of equality and diversity matters. In relation to the Working Party’s Terms of Reference, it was further agreed that they should be amended to add the words “to represent better its constituency” to the final sentence, as well as to make clear it referred to the Court of Aldermen as well as the Court of Common Council. Finally, Members also agreed that the Working Party should be asked to report back to the Policy and Resources Committee in the autumn.

RESOLVED – That the following be approved:-

1.      the appointment, composition and terms of reference of the sub-committees and working parties

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications concerning the design, build and maintenance of a new City Corporation website.

A Member sought clarification as to the proposed scope of the website and the type of procurement envisaged. The Director of Communications confirmed that the intention was to use a “buy not build” approach, so as to avoid the technical complexities and difficulties which were inevitably associated with building bespoke websites. In response to a query concerning the potential for the City’s cultural attractions and institutions to have their own websites, the Director advised that there was a policy and procedure in place in relation to this.

RESOLVED – That the following be approved:-

the scoping and procurement of services to deliver a new City of London Corporation website at a total estimated one-off cost of £513,000;

moving to a cloud-based hosting and external support model resulting in additional annual revenue costs of £40,000

addressing known issues, e.g. Information Architecture (how the site was built and structured), responsiveness (how it displays on mobile devices) and search functionality through the new website design; and

the business requirements of the new website being brought back to Public Relations and Economic Sub-Committee and IT Sub-Committee for further comment and consultation before going out to tender.

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications concerning the proposed sponsorship of the he Centre for European Reform’s 2018 Ditchley Park Conference, taking place on 16-17 November. This year the Conference would be addressing the topic: ‘Will Europe’s growth spurt peter out?’.

RESOLVED – that approval be given to the provision of £20,000 from the 2018/19 Policy Initiatives Fund categorised under ‘Events’ and charged to ‘City’s Cash’ to sponsor this year’s Ditchley Park Conference. 

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications concerning the proposed sponsorship the 2018 Battle of Ideas festival, organised by the Institute of Ideas.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the provision of £25,000 from the 2018/19 Policy Initiatives Fundcategorised under ‘Events’ and charged to City’s Cash to sponsor the Battle of Ideas Festival, taking place on 13-14 October 2018.

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications reviewing the City Corporation’s membership of various think tanks.

Members debated the balance of think-tanks, particularly in relation to the proposed addition of Open Europe. Following debate, Members were satisfied that the overall membership position reflected a suitably balanced take in respect of Brexit.

The benefits of Whitehall and Industry Group membership were also discussed, with it observed that the Group hosted a wide range of events which might be of interest to Members. The Chairman consequently asked officers to consider ways in which relevant events could be advertised to Members, so as to maximise attendance and the benefits of Whitehall and Industry Group membership to the City Corporation.

RESOLVED – That:-

1.         The City Corporation’s membership of six think tanks be renewed and two new memberships be approved as set out below, at a total cost of £84,500 (to be met from the 2018/19 Policy Initiatives Fund categorised under events and charged to City’s Cash):-

·       Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation

·       Chatham House

·       Institute for Public Policy Research

·       Local Government Information Unit

·       New Local Government Network

·       Whitehall and Industry Group

·       New Financial (as part of the Women in Finance sponsorship)

·       Institute for Fiscal Studies

·       Open Europe

2.         membership of the Legatum Business Forum and the European Policy Forum and Reform be discontinued;

3.         no decision be taken regarding the think tank New Financial as the City Corporation’s current membership was attached to the Women in Finance Charter sponsorship; and

4.         a report be submitted to the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee on the benefits of the City Corporation’s membership of the think tanks currently supported.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

NB: This report will have been considered by the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee earlier this day and is also to be considered by the Planning and Transportation, Port Health and Environmental Services and the Culture Heritage and Libraries Committees.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection requesting funding from Bridge House Estate to the cover the cost of an additional temporary dedicated Licensing Officer to undertake enforcement activities on the City’s Bridges at a cost of £100k over a two-year trial period.

RESOLVED – that:-

1.     approval be given to the provision of £100,000 from the Bridge House Estates Fund to fund the cost of a temporary dedicated Licensing Officer to undertake enforcement activities on the City’s Bridges for a trial period of two years; and  

2.     it be noted that a review would be undertaken prior to the end of the two-year trial period.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning outcome of review undertaken by Flint Global on the impact of the changes implemented by the City Corporation in relation to the promotion and representation of financial and professional services following the 2015 Fraser Review.

RESOLVED – that the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a statement of the Chamberlain on the use of the regarding the Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee’s Contingency for 2018/19.

RESOLVED – That the content of the statement be noted. 

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.

RESOLVED – That it be noted that approval was given to the amendment of the Standards Committee’s composition in relation to the allocation of the five additional places agreed by the Court of Common Council at its meeting on 8 March 2018.

There was one question:

Chatham House Membership

A Member drew attention to recent changes associated with the corporate membership of Chatham House, observing that there had been insufficient communication with affected Members. It was asked that thought be given to ensuring more transparent decision-making and communication in relation to such changes in future.

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. In addition, for one item which fell under paragraph 100A (2) of the Act relating to confidential information that would be disclosed in breach of an obligation of confidence.

RESOLVED - 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. In addition, for one item which fell under paragraph 100A (2) of the Act relating to confidential information that would be disclosed in breach of an obligation of confidence.

Item Nos.                                                           Paragraph(s) in Schedule 12A

22 - 32                                                                                     3, 4 and 5

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2018.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2018 were approved.

To note the draft non-public minutes of Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 April 2018.

The non-public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 April 2018 were noted.

Joint report of the City Surveyor, Chamberlain and the Commissioner of the City of London Police.

NB: This report will have been considered by the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee earlier this day and will also be considered by the Police and Capital Buildings Committees.

The Committee considered and agreed a joint report of the City Surveyor, the Chamberlain and the Commissioner of the City of Police concerning the progress and funding of elements of the Police Accommodation Strategy’s decant arrangements.

Report of the City Surveyor.

NB: This report will also be considered by the Finance Committee and the Projects and Corporate Asset Sub-Committees.

The Committee considered and agreed a gateway 3 / 4 report of the City Surveyor concerning the progress of arrangements for the refurbishment of St Lawrence Jewry Church.

Report of the Chamberlain.

NB: This report will have been considered by the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee earlier this day.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Chamberlain concerning the carry forward of the unallocated balances from the 2017/18 City Fund and City’s Cash provisions for new schemes and the provision of funding to enable five projects to proceed as follows:-

·                Guildhall School New Silk Street Entrance – Feasibility Fees   

·                St Lawrence Jewry Church Repairs

·                West Wing Cloakrooms and Facilities for Members and Visitors – Revised Configuration

·                New Corporate Website

·                London Wall Car Park Maintenance Works – Fees to evaluate options

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered and agreed a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030.

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.

Report of the City Surveyor (TO FOLLOW).

The Committee considered and agreed a report of City Surveyor concerning the progress of the Fleet Street estate development opportunity project.

A Member referred to the ex-officio positions on the Committee and questioned whether, given the profile and importance of the Bridge House Estates and The City Bridge Trust, the Chairman of the Trust should also have a reserved ex-officio position. A number of Members supported this.

RESOLVED – That a report on increasing the ex-officio places on the Committee to include the Chairman of the City Bridge Trust be submitted to the Committee for consideration.

There were no urgent items.

Report of the Director of Economic Development

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning Customer Relation Management and the City Occupiers Database.  

The Director of Economic Development was heard concerning future arrangements for the City Corporation’s engagement with the EU and the approach as outlined was supported.