Agenda and minutes

Venue: virtually

Contact: Emma Cunnington  Email: emma.cunnington@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members Declarations Under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes

To consider minutes as follows:-

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

3a

To agree the public minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2021. pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2021 be approved, subject to the following changes:-

 

·         Item (4) – as the Covid Debrief Paper had been agreed, the resolution should read that “Member-level decision making would be required” and “civil resilience training should be offered to Members”. 

 

·         Item (6) - Marianne Fredericks had abstained from speaking or taking part in the decision on the statues by virtue of her serving on the Planning and Transportation Committee and that did not want to pre-determine any future applications for Listed Building Consent.

 

Matters arising:

 

Item 6: Tackling Racism Taskforce Final Report

The Chief Commoner challenged the historical accuracy of the reported rebellion of slaves on Beckford’s plantations in Jamaica, which was outlined on page 6 of the minutes. Whilst recognising that this was an accurate recording of the statement made, he disputed, during his own research, that the historic event was accurate. He reported that his own research had found no evidence of Beckford’s involvement in the rebellion referred to, and one account had suggested he was caring towards his slave workforce. There was a strong challenge by some Members in respect of the comment describing a slave owner as ‘caring’. The Member responded by reiterating his belief that slavery was barbaric but explaining that he was quoting the work that had been used by an historian in terms of describing some slave owners as being more ‘caring’ than others.  

The Chair noted that there would be a report later on the agenda to discuss this in more detail, which also proposed that more research would be needed as the work progressed.    The Chair stressed the seriousness with, which the Policy & Resources Committee views all forms of slavery, which had been evidenced by

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

3b

To note the public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation and Efficiency & Performance Sub-Committees held on 21 January 2021. pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation and Efficiency & Performance Sub-Committees held on 21 January 2021 be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

3c

To note the public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021. pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021 be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

3d

To note the public minutes of the Public Relations & Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 January 2021. pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes of the Public Relations & Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 14 January 2021 be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3d

4.

Resolution from the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee pdf icon PDF 73 KB

To consider a resolution concerning the Recovery Task Force and the provision of environmental services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a resolution of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee.  The Chairman of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee stressed that the resolution did not seek to challenge the Target Operating Model (TOM) savings but was future-focused in terms of the appropriate services required by the Square Mile post pandemic, and sought a balance of funding which the Recovery Task Force was well placed to address. The Chair of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, speaking in support of the Visitor Strategy, stressed the need for street cleaning and public conveniences to be of a high standard. 

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         the Policy and Resources Committee ask the Recovery Task Force to include consideration of services, within their remit, to inform the right provision from a strategic perspective, including any reset/rebalancing of funding to meet the City’s future needs.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Resolution from the Capital Buildings Committee pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To consider a resolution concerning the application of Standing Order 29(2) in relation to the Committee.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a resolution of the Capital Buildings Committee in respect of the annual review of its Terms of Reference, which sought a waiver of Standing Order 29 (2), in order to extend the Chairman’s term by one additional year. 

 

The Chair of Policy was of the view that maintaining continuity of leadership on this Committee would be crucial over the next year.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         it be recommended to the Court of Common Council that the convention of Standing Order 29 (2) be waived in order to allow the  Chairman of the Capital Buildings Committee to extend their term by one year into a fourth year. NB. It was clarified that this change of term would be subject to the annual re-appointment process by the Court of Common Council and the annual election of Chairman in the normal way.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Streamlining Governance of the Next Generation Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service Project pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of a new Committee for the Next Generation Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service (FCCRAS) Project. The Committee noted that the Finance Committee had also approved this report earlier in the week. 

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         it be recommended to the Court of Common Council to create a new stand alone, time-limited committee to oversee the FCCRAS project and for the Policy & Resources Committee to pass on its decision-making responsibilities on this project to this new Committee.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Fraser 2.0 Review Next Steps pdf icon PDF 307 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which set out the proposed recommendations and implementation plan from the Fraser 2.0 Report for strengthening the City Corporation’s role in navigating the competitive landscape of UK financial and professional services (FPS). The report also outlined the next steps in establishing the Innovation and Growth Advisory Board.

 

The Chair of Policy thanked the Policy and Resources Committee and the Court of Aldermen for their work on this, which tied in in closely with the competitiveness work within the Governance Review.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         The recommendations from the Fraser 2.0 report be noted;

·         Proposed implementation plan (see Appendix 1) be approved;

·         A Competitiveness Strategy for the City of London Corporation be developed; and

·         The next steps in the establishment of the Innovation and Growth Advisory Board be approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

2020/21 Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Human Resources in respect of the 2021/22 Pay Policy Statement, setting out the City Corporation’s approach to pay for the most senior and junior members of staff for the succeeding financial year.

 

The Committee had also received a supplementary document in respect of an amendment to paragraph 27 of the report, in respect of the Government’s revocation of Public Sector Exit Payment Regulations.  

 

RESOLVED,that:-

·         the Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22 be agreed and recommended to the Court of Common Council for final approval.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Joint report of the Remembrancer & Director of Innovation & Growth.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the Remembrancer and the Director of Innovation and Growth which sought approval to continue funding the City Corporation’s support for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council for the next two years.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         funding of £20,000 per annum for two years be approved, to be met from the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Policy Initiatives Fund, to support:

a)    the renewal of the City Corporation’s status as a strategic partner of CWEIC (£10,000); and

b)    the provision of desk space in the Guildhall complex (an assessed equivalent of £10,000).

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Impact Investing Institute Board Appointment pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Innovation and Growth in respect of the appointment of a new Board Member to the Impact Investing

Institute (III), under the terms of the City Corporation’s three-year grant agreement with the Institute.

 

RESOLVED,that:-

·         Alderman Robert Hughes- Penney be appointed to the Impact Investing Institute (III) Board, to ensure that the Institute’s work continues to be reviewed and supported by a Member with extensive financial services expertise.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Culture and Diversity Working Group pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Major Projects, which responded to the recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce, under its Culture workstream, approved at the last meeting. Before the meeting, the Committee had received an alternative set of recommendations in respect of this report, recommending the establishment of a Member/Officer Working Group to look at the statues of Beckford and Cass in more detail.

 

The Chair acknowledged that, whilst this had been a highly-charged and long-standing debate, the City Corporation’s immediate priorities included recovery from the pandemic, competitiveness, climate action and its own programme of reform. It was noted that a similar motion proposed for the next meeting of the Court would be withdrawn, if this report were to be agreed today with the tabled revised recommendations.

 

The Chair thanked the Co-Chairs of the Tackling Racism Taskforce and the Deputy Chairman of Policy for their work in presenting a set of revised recommendations, which would allow a way forward and more time to evaluate all options, returning to the Court of Common Council with a full recommendation that would avoid division and protect the City Corporation’s reputation and heritage as a diverse and inclusive organisation.  

 

The Deputy Chairman endorsed this and applauded the work of the Tackling Racism Taskforce in seeking real and positive changes, and a process that would take account of funding, planning, research, costs and the views of the government. The Deputy Chairman also felt that, ultimately, the will of the Court should prevail in terms of proposals for the Great Hall.

 

On the proposed composition of this Working Group, there was a point of clarity made that the five vacancies elected by the Policy and Resources Committee could also be filled by Members of the wider Court, rather than just elected from the

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order Review pdf icon PDF 131 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO) Review.  Due to the large-scale cancellation of events in 2020 due to COVID-19, the ATTRO had not been used at all in the last 12 months, but from a City Police perspective, retaining the permanent ATTRO remained important because it afforded them the ability to react quickly, if the intelligence necessitated it, to protect the public.

 

RESOLVED,that:-

·         the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

City Fund 2021/22 Budget pdf icon PDF 311 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain, which presented the overall financial position of the City Fund. Following a question it was confirmed that the Finance Committee had agreed to freeze the business premium, not increase core Council Tax but to increase Social Care Premium. A Member reported that he felt that not increasing Council Tax was a mistake and would send a negative message to the Government when it came to the Fair Funding Review.

 

A Member also asked for a tracker to be maintained and reported to this Committee which would help Members to understand progress made by department on savings.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

2021/22 City's Cash Budgets and medium-term financial plan pdf icon PDF 252 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report the of the Chamberlain in respect of the 2021/22 Budget and medium-term financial outlook for City's Cash and Guildhall Administration. It was noted that the report should be read in conjunction with the City Fund and Bridge House Estates Budget reports on this agenda.

 

RESOLVED,that:–

·         the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Bridge House Estates (BHE) (Reg. Charity No. 1035628) - Revenue Budget 2021/22 and Medium-Term Financial Plan pdf icon PDF 387 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided an update on the 2020/21 forecast and presented the 2021/22 revenue budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), covering 2022/23 – 2024/25, for Bridge House Estates.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         the report be noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act 2000 Update pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor which provided an update on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act 2000.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Annual Report for Social Mobility and Digital Skills Strategies, Social Mobility Employer Index rating and strategic focus for 2020-21 pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Joint report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services, the Director of Innovation & Growth, and the Chief Grants Officer & Director of the City Bridge Trust.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a joint report of the Chief Grants Officer and Director of City Bridge Trust, the Director of Innovation and Growth and the Director of Community and Children’s Services which presented three pieces of work in support of the Social Mobility and Digital Skills Strategies.

 

RESOLVED, that:-

·         the following be noted:

i)     Progress made in the delivery of both strategies in 2019-20;

ii)     the City Corporation’s rating on the Social Mobility Employer Index; and

iii)    the proposed future direction of the strategies.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain which provided the schedule of projects and activities which have received funding from the Policy Initiatives Fund (PIF), the Policy and Resources Committee’s Contingency Fund, Committee’s Project Reserve, COVID19 Contingency Fund and Brexit Contingency Fund for 2020/21 and future years, with details of expenditure in 2020/21.

 

RESOLVED,that:-

·         the report be noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were two questions:-

 

Recovery Task Force

A question was raised concerning the composition, governance arrangements and planned actions of the Recovery Task Force. In response, the Policy Chair updated Members on three key workstreams that were being undertaken to ensure that Members had wider oversight:

1.    Recovery Task Force

2.    COVID-19  ‘Recovery From’ Officer Group

3.    Return to the Office

 

Specifically in answer to the Member’s question, the Policy Chair noted that this Committee had already received reports updating Members on the governance of the Recovery Task Force and at its November meeting, it was agreed that the project would be led by a small core team from Innovation and Growth (IG) and Department of the Built Environment (DBE) supported by departmental working groups and external consultants. The project would be overseen by the Chairs of Policy & Resources and Planning & Transportation Committees, supported by their deputies, officers, and with input from the Lord Mayor. It had also been previously noted that the Task Force would draw on existing material from the Climate Action Strategy, the draft CityPlan 2036, Transport Strategy, London Recharged and other relevant sources.

 

Chief Commoner

A Member asked a question concerning the role of the Chief Commoner and whether the Chief Commoner was meant to represent all Members of the Court of Common Council. The Member also asked for further detail behind the extension of the current Chief Commoner’s term of office from April 2021 to April 2022.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

Minutes:

There were two items of urgent business:-

 

Kalifa Review

The Policy Chair updated Members that the Kalifa Strategic Review would be launched the following week and asked officers to circulate a summary paper to Members of this Committee with more detail.

 

Ward Committees

The Chairman of Finance raised an issue where he felt there was an anomaly with ward committees, where current Standing Orders do not allow the Alderman of the Ward to stand when their Common Councillor does not want to for whatever reason. The practice is for this vacancy to instead be opened up to the full Court rather than offered to the Alderman of the Ward, which seems to be counter-productive. He asked for the Policy & Resources Committee to delegate authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chairman of Policy & Resources Committee to change the relevant Standing Order and get this agreed at the Court of Common Council meeting in March to get this in pace ahead of the next civic year.

 

The Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen then asked for time to consult with Aldermen on this proposal at an informal meeting taking place the following week.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Non-Public Minutes

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

22a

To agree the non-public minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2021.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2021 were approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22a

22b

To note the non-public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation and Efficiency & Performance Sub-Committees held on 21 January 2021.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the joint meeting of the Resource Allocation and Efficiency & Performance Sub-Committees held on 21 January 2021 were approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22b

22c

To note the non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 February 2021.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee held on 4 February 2021 was approved as a correct record.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22c

23.

Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) and Additional Resources for City Fund Properties (ARCFP) Request for Funding for 2021/2022

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which sought approval of funding for the proposed one-year Cyclical Works Programme (CWP) for 2021/22.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

City Cultural Support: Barbican Renewal and LSO Grant

Joint report of the City Surveyor and the Managing Director of the Barbican.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of City Surveyor and the Managing Director, Barbican Centre, in respect of the Barbican renewal and LSO grant.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Market Tenants and Covid 19 - Proposal for Additional Support

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

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of a proposal for additional support for market tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Bridge House Estate Committee proposals

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Chief Grants Officer & Director of the City Bridge Trust.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 26.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive and The Chief Grants Officer and Director of City Bridge Trust in respect of the proposed Terms of Reference for a Bridge House Estates Board. Alongside this report, Members received a resolution of the Social Investment Board setting out their views on the proposals.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Central Criminal Court Plant Replacement: Phase 3

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 27.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a Gateway 6 Outcome Report of the City Surveyor in respect of Phase 3 of the Central Criminal Court Plant Replacement.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

Central Criminal Court East Wing Ground Mezzanine Cooling and Heating Replacement

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 28.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a Gateway 3-4 report of the City Surveyor in respect of the East Wing Ground Mezzanine Cooling and Heating Replacement at the Central Criminal Court. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Property Projects Group (PPG) COVID-19 Capital Projects Fund - Update

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor in respect of the Covid-19 Capital Projects Fund.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OR URGENCY POWERS

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 30.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk in respect of a decision taken under delegated authority (Standing Order 41b) since the last meeting of the Committee.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

Two questions were raised concerning:-

a)     the Chief Commoner’s Handbook

b)    TOM Recruitment update.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT AND WHICH THE COMMITTEE AGREE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILST THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.