Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Henry Colthurst, Simon Duckworth, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Joyce Nash, Alderman William Russell, Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, and Sir Michael Snyder.

Deputy John Tomlinson declared an interest in aspects of Items 3 and 7 concerning the Barbican Podiums as a tenant. Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark’s standing declaration concerning his status as a Church Warden at St Lawrence Jewry was also recorded in relation to the same two items.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning arrangements for the prioritisation and funding of capital projects ahead of the forthcoming fundamental review process.

Members agreed the prioritisation criteria set out at paragraphs 6 and 7; however, it was observed that further detail would be necessary in respect of non-major capital projects which were income-generating or had funding of a “spend-to-save” nature and short payback terms, as the repayments or new income created would need to be factored in to longer-term cashflow forecasts.

A Member observed that it would be important to align policy and funding decisions, noting the unhelpful tendency previously for policy approvals taken at an early stage to be construed as a firm commitment for significant financial backing later on, despite the financial implications not having been sufficiently known. It was stressed that any requests for Member approvals should always identify funding sources; this would be particularly important for items coming through the Projects Sub-Committee. The Director of Major Projects spoke to echo the importance of ensuring the correct structures and rigour were put in place in relation to how projects were managed and presented for consideration.

Discussion ensued in relation to the possibility of spending more money at an earlier stage of projects to help define and drive down costs from their inception. Members did not support the creation of a separate funding pot for this under the control of the Projects Sub-Committee, noting that good project management activities should be embedded within day-to-day business activities and that the early stages of project design should continue to be funded from departmental local risk budgets.

Members were strongly supportive of the introduction of an annual capital bid process, stressing the importance of this being linked to the business planning cycle and flowing through to cashflow forecasts.

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 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Part 2 – Non-Public Agenda

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 be read in conjunction with Item X.

The Sub-Committee considered the non-public appendices in conjunction with the report at Item 3.

Joint report of the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School, the Chamberlain, and the City Surveyor.

The Sub-Committee considered a joint report of the Chamberlain, the City Surveyor, and the Headmaster of the City of London Freemen’s School concerning the School’s Estate Development Plan.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered and approved a report of the Chamberlain which sought approval for the proposed 2019/20 Cyclical Works Programme (CWP).

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.