Agenda and minutes

The Chairman took the opportunity to welcome Randall Anderson and Tijs Broeke to their first meeting of this Committee. She also extended, on behalf of the Committee and the City Corporation, her gratitude to the outgoing Assistant Town Clerk, Simon Murrells, for his dedicated service over the past forty years.

Apologies were received from Deputy Doug Barrow, the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman Charles Bowman, Sir Mark Boleat, Henry Colthurst, Alderman Peter Estlin, Alderman William Russell, Sir Michael Snyder, and Deputy Tom Sleigh (Vice-Chairman).

The Chairman also apologised that she would need to depart the meeting early. The Deputy Chairman, Simon Duckworth, would therefore be taking the Chair after her departure.

Deputy Catherine McGuinness declared a pecuniary interest in respect of Item 8 by virtue of her ownership of a property at Briar Court. She would therefore be withdrawing from the meeting for consideration of this item. Deputy John Tomlinson also declared an interest in this item as a resident of Cromwell Tower.

Andrew McMurtrie declared an interest in respect of Items 13 and 25 as Chairman of the City of London Academies Trust. Deputy Catherine McGuinness also declared an interest as a Member of the Trust.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 12 April 2018 were approved, subject to the following amendments:

·      Jeremy Simons had been appointed to the third vacancy on the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee;

·      The Chief Commoner should be listed as Chairman of the Members’ Privileges Sub-Committee.

The draft public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee of 3 May 2018 were noted.

The public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee of 16 May 2018 were noted.

The public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee of 29 May 2018 were noted.

To consider the following Resolution from the Ward of Aldgate and refer it to officers for action, with a report on progress to be provided within three months.

“That this Wardmote asks that the Court of Common Councilmen reconsiders the resolution passed at the Wardmote on 22 March 2017 that this Wardmote deplores the state of broadband connections for both residential and existing business customers and requires the Corporation to take urgent action to address this.”

The Resolution from the Ward of Aldgate, concerning broadband provision, was referred to officers for action. It was advised that a report in response to this resolution was expected for the July meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Resolution from the Ward of Aldgate be referred to officers for action, with a report to be presented back to the Committee within three months.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which set out several appointments to be made.

The Chairman advised that she was appointing Deputy Tom Sleigh as her named representative on the Members’ Diversity Working Party and obtained the Committee’s endorsement for his appointment as Chairman of that Working Party.

RESOLVED: That appointments be made as follows:-

Members Financial Assistance Working Party

·         Sophie Fernandes

·         William Upton

Members’ Diversity Working Party

·         Munsur Ali

·         Randall Anderson

·         Tijs Broeke

·         Alderman Alison Gowman

·         Shravan Joshi

·         Dhruv Patel

Outside Bodies Sub-Committee

·         James Tumbridge

Investment Committee

·         Christopher Boden

·         Michael Hudson

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning ex-officio membership of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Whilst supportive of the general case for the Chairman of the City Bridge Trust Committee’s membership of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Committee agreed that it would be prudent to undertake a more strategic review of the Committee’s ex-officio membership in its entirety, rather than add individual Chairmen on an ad hoc basis. Members were also of the view that any review should be mindful of the balance of elected and ex-officio membership of the Committee, as well as the possibility for Chairmen to be invited to attend and speak when specific items arose on the agenda, rather than be granted standing membership.

It was consequently agreed that a more strategic review of the Committee’s ex-officio membership should be undertaken, taking into account the Committee’s view that there was a strong case for the inclusion of the Chairman of the City Bridge Trust. It was also agreed that the CBT Chairman should be invited to attend meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee in the interim.

RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be requested to undertake a strategic review of the Policy and Resources Committee’s ex-officio membership.

Joint report of the Town Clerk, Chamberlain and the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk, Chamberlain and City Surveyor proposing the adoption of a Renewable Electricity Policy and Renewable Electricity Sourcing Strategy.

It was observed that it would not be possible in practice to differentiate which sources of energy were being used by the City Corporation, as both renewable and non-renewable energy sources were mixed together in the National Grid and the City Corporation would have no control over the type of energy received. The Head of Procurement acknowledged this but noted that the policy would ensure that the City Corporation contributed an amount of renewable electricity into the grid which was directly proportionate to the total amount of electricity it used, thus acting as an off-setting mechanism.

RESOLVED: That approval be given to:-

·      the adoption of the Renewable Electricity Policy & Sourcing Strategy as set out in the report;

·      a budget of £25,000 from Policy Committee contingency for the implementation of the Renewable Electricity Policy in 2018-19; and,

·      a permanent increase in the baseline budget of up to £50,000 per annum from 2019/20 onwards to fund the renewable electricity.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of the Built Environment concerning the proposed transformation of Beech Street.

A Member spoke to express their significant concerns relating to the potential impact on traffic and pedestrian movements that the proposals relating to the transformation of the area might have, detailing a number of specific items for consideration which he urged officers to consider closely. Several Members spoke to support the Member’s observations, asking officers to ensure thorough and detailed modelling of potential impacts of the wider area, not simply the immediate Beech Street area, was undertaken ahead of consideration by the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee and the Planning & Transportation Committee.

Noting reference within the report to a potential £30million cost for the transformation works, the Committee made clear that no support was being given for this figure at this stage and emphasised that tacit approval of this figure should not be inferred from any support of the recommendations within this report.

Members stressed the importance of progress being made swiftly, commenting that Beech Street was in drastic need of improvement form both an air quality perspective and an aesthetic perspective. The opportunity to capitalise on the significant successes of Culture Mile and enjoy a revitalised Beech Street which would contribute to that overall proposition was also noted.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

·      approve the vision for the transformation of Beech Street, as set out in the report; and

·      approve the development of Gateway reports relating to transportation and public realm and relating to property refurbishment, which would be subject to Member approval through the project gateway process.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Members considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the reduction of single-use plastics in the City. It was noted that this report had been considered by the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee and was recommended to this Committee for approval.

RESOLVED: That:-

·      approval be granted for a high-profile project in 2018, with the aim to reduce single use plastics across the City Corporation and wider City of London;

·      the various workstreams detailed in the report be supported;

·      the funding approach for the project be noted; and,

·      the branding set out in the report be agreed.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which sought funding to undertake flood risk management and other activities to improve the City’s resilience to flooding.

It was advised that the Finance Committee had declined to award additional funding for this work, instead requesting that officers seek to deliver the intended activities from within existing local risk budgets. Should it transpire that additional funding was required later in the year, the Committee had indicated that it would be amenable to considering a further request. The Policy and Resources Committee agreed to endorse this position.

RESOLVED: That Members endorse the Finance Committee’s decision that the resilience work outlined in the report should be funded from existing local risk budgets.

Joint report of the Commissioner and the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Economic Development concerning the development and delivery of a new Cyber Security Strategy for the City of London Corporation and City of London Police.

In response to questions, the Chamberlain advised that funding was to be allocated from City’s Cash in this instance as the proposal had emerged from the Economic Development Office, in support of their work with City businesses and for the City as a place to do business generally. This would be kept under review and it was also confirmed that this funding would be included in estimates when referring to the total level of funding provided to the City Police. It was noted that the City Police annual budget grant was circa £55m net.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

·      agree in-principle to support and approve the cyber strategy;

·      approve an increase to the base budget of the City of London Police of £450k and EDO’s budget for £55k, for 2019/20 for the initial launch and piloting of Cyber Griffin (over two years), to be drawn from City’s Cash; and

·      note that, pending the initial success of Cyber Griffin, the City Police and EDO will present a business case to seek long-term funding, to continue to deliver the strategy, beginning in 2020/21 Budget.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer & City Bridge Trust Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Grants Officer & City Bridge Trust Director proposing the adoption of a philanthropy strategy.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

·         note the approach to the development of the strategy;

·         approve the strategy; and

·         approve the proposed next steps and the timetable for their implementation, as set out in the report.

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

N.B. – To be read in conjunction with the non-public report at Item 25.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the development of the former Richard Cloudesley School Site and adjoining land for the purpose of a new primary school, 66 affordable housing units, and related development. The report, which was presented alongside a non-public progress report at Item 25 on the agenda, sought authority for land owned by the London Borough of Islington to be

acquired by the City of London Corporation and for related land transactions required for the City to implement the development on the site.

RESOLVED: That approval be granted to:-

·      the acquisition of the freehold title in the London Borough of Islington (LBI) Land for the purpose of a new primary Academy and social housing, with workshops to be located beneath part of the social housing;

·      the appropriation of the City’s Land from housing purposes to the City in its general corporate capacity for education purposes [other than the Housing Airspace which will remain held for housing purposes];

·      the grant of a leasehold interest of all the LBI Land and City Land on which the school is to be constructed to the City of London Academies Trust; and,

·      the Director of Children’s and Community Services being directed to conclude negotiations and final terms of the acquisitions and disposal in accordance with the principles set out in the report, to take any other steps as required in connection with any related documentation and associated transactions as may be necessary to complete the steps agreed, to implement the Development in accordance with the principles in the report, and to instruct the City Solicitor to enter into all necessary legal documents.

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications presenting the finalised format of City Corporation activities at 2018 party conferences and seeking funding for the City Corporation’s think tank partnerships at the various conferences.

RESOLVED: That Members:

·      note the City Corporation’s planned activity at 2018 party conferences, as set out at Appendix 1;

·      agree to provide funding for the City Corporation’s partnerships, the total sum being £38,100, with the four think tanks listed below at Liberal Democrat, Labour, and Conservative party conferences:

i)          Social Market Foundation

ii)         The Fabian Society

iii)        Centre for Policy Studies

iv)        Chatham House; and

·      agree to visit the question of providing funding for partnership(s) at the Scottish National Party conference once the necessary details have been released.

Report of Director of Communications.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the status of the fireworks display associated with the Lord Mayor’s Show.

Members expressed their reservations as to the desirability and practicality of the proposed light show, suggesting that this would be less attractive to the public than a fireworks display. It was also suggested that the light display would do nothing to counter the perceived lack of awareness that the post-Show display was associated with the City Corporation.

Noting the potential difficulties associated with road closures in Westminster, it was suggested that situating the fireworks display by the Pool of London might be a sensible alternative. This would not only serve to retain the link between the Lord Mayor’s Show and the River Thames but would also facilitate greater awareness of the City Corporation’s association with the event, given that Tower Bridge would act as a backdrop for the event.

Noting there were potential security, health and safety, and road closure implications associated with any continued firework display, it was urged that the Director of Communications explore potential options as expeditiously as possible, bringing a report back to the next meeting of this Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED: That the report be referred back to officers for further consideration, with a report to come to the July meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the City Corporation’s engagement strategy with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

RESOLVED: That approval be given to:-

·      the policy of a three-year rolling engagement strategy with the WEF;

·      the attendance of both the CPR and the LM at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos; attendance at a WEF event in another priority market and the City Corporation hosting of a WEF meeting/event in the City;

·      an annual budget for the next three years from the 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21 Policy Initiatives Fund amounting to £35,000, £36,500 and £38,000 respectively, categorised under ‘Promoting the City’ and charged to City’s Cash;

·      The Director of Economic Development being instructed to report back to the Committee on the outcomes of the WEF Annual Meeting Davos 2019 and all other Corporation/WEF meetings and/or events.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development concerning the sponsorship of the Social Mobility Employer Index.

Noting that this was the second successive year in which funding was being sought for this item from Policy Initiatives Fund, a Member asked if it would be more prudent to look at funding for this initiative on a longer-term basis, rather than on a year-by-year basis. It was suggested that a broader look should be taken at the Policy Initiatives Fund in due course to assess the full range of items which were in receipt of funding across multiple years.

RESOLVED: That:-

·      sponsorship of the Social Mobility Employer Index for 2018 be agreed, at a cost of £35,000 to be met from the Policy Initiatives Fund 2018/19, categorised under the category ‘Communities’ and charged to City’s Cash.

·      £25,000 be allocated for other work on social mobility currently under development to enable the City Corporation to continue to be a leading voice on social mobility, with delivery of the work to be agreed in consultation with the Policy Chairman.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Economic Development which provided an update on the work of the Green Finance Taskforce (GFT), which had recently reported to Government with recommendations on how to grow London as a centre for green capital markets and to support the UK’s own transition to a low carbon economy.

The Deputy Chairman spoke to commend Alderman Alison Gowman and Alderman Sir Roger Gifford, as well as the Policy Chairman, on the significant contributions they had made to the GFT’s work.

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain which set out the use of the Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee’s Contingency for 2018/19.

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.

Report of the Town Clerk (TO FOLLOW).

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning continued membership of the Local Government Association in its re-constituted format.

RESOLVED: That approval be given to:-

·      the City Corporation applying to become a member of the new incorporated body, the Local Government Association (11177145);

·      the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee (for the time being) or his or her representative and Alderman Sir David Wootton being appointed to serve as the City Corporation’s representatives on the new LGA company’s General Assembly and, should they be elected or appointed by the new company, they also serve as Directors of the new company or on any other governance structure it is agreed should be adopted. (This is subject to the terms of their authority being made clear so that they act within their remit whilst serving on this outside body); and

·      until such time as the existing unincorporated Local Government Association be dissolved, the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee (for the time being) or his or her representative and Alderman Sir David Wootton serve as the City Corporation’s representatives at the General Assembly or in any other capacity within the Association to which they are elected or appointed.

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.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

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

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3 May 2018 were agreed.

The draft non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting of 3 May 2018 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting of 16 May 2018 were noted.

The non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting of 17 April 2018 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting of 22 May 2018 were noted.

The draft non-public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting of 29 May 2018 were noted.

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

N.B. – To be read in conjunction with the public report at Item 13.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which outlined progress being made with the development of a two Form Entry primary school and nursery (City of London Primary Academy Islington) and social housing units on the former Richard Cloudesley school site and adjoining City of London Corporation land. The report also sought funding for various aspects of the capital build and the embedding of the scheme within the local community, as well as for temporary accommodation required whilst the development of the new School was completed.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection concerning negotiations to achieve the vacant possession of the Poultry Market as part of the Museum of London relocation plans.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered and approved a joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection concerning the strategic review of the City’s wholesale markets.

There was one question, relative to the justification for the exclusion of the public in relation to certain sections of the minutes under Item 30c. It was clarified that the discussion related to the financial or business affairs of two specific organisations and was of a particularly sensitive nature.

Whilst accepting the rationale in this instance, Members made reference to a report being considered by another committee where the rationale was less apparent. They reiterated the general principle that, where possible, business could be conducted in public session. It was suggested that thought should be given to ways in which the presentation of certain information could be altered, so as to allow the majority of information to appear in public.

There were no urgent items.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 3 May 2018 were agreed.

The draft confidential minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 17 May 2018 were received.

The draft confidential minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 May 2018 were received.