Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Tijs Broeke declared a declaration in respect of item 6(a) due to his position as Chair of the CoLAT Board and its Standards and Accountability Committee, and his membership of the Finance Committee of the Museum of London.

To agree the public minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 7 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain outlining the approach taken by officers in response to this Sub-Committee’s request in July, to undertaken an in-year re-budgeting exercise to assist in repairing the impact on the City’s budgets arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chamberlain introduced the repot before Members and outlined the recommended budget adjustments totalling £15.6m to some departmental local risk budgets in order to address the deficit in lost income and set realistic budgets that Chief officers could be held to in the 2020/21 financial year. He stressed that there had been constructive and positive engagement on these issues to date through bi-lateral meetings held between the Chamberlain and Chief Officers and good progress had been made.

Reference was made to the significant impact on the Open Spaces budgets as a result of COVID-19 and the huge visitor numbers that were experienced at the height of the pandemic. Arising from this, some concern was expressed regarding income generation and the department’s ability to increase funding. Clarification was sought in respect of the corporate approach to events related income generation. The Chamberlain responded that there had been a significant impact on the Remembrancer’s Department in terms of loss of income due to limited private event hire and thus several adjustments had been suggested. Members were advised that, having considered the Open Spaces in the round, a slight adjustment had been made to the budget covering Epping Forest. The Chair noted the comments made and the Chamberlain undertook to follow up on the request for greater clarity, in due course, about the corporate approach to the loss of income as a result of a decline in events.

Members acknowledged the progress that had been made despite the remaining risks and uncertainties, the key ones being around rents and the

There were none.

With the Chair’s consent, the following items of urgent business were considered by the Cub-Committee.

6(a)      2020/21 Revenue Budget Setting Process

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain relative to the proposed high-level approach to setting the 2021/22 revenue budgets.

With reference to the report and when the decision had been made that a 12% reduction across the services be implemented, the Chamberlin confirmed, through the Chair, that Members had considered the matter at the Resource Allocation Away-Day and it was thereafter subsequently agreed by the Sub-Committee ahead of the recess.

A query was raised regarding how the views of institutions and bodies such as the Museum of London and COLAT, where their legal responsibilities were an important timetabling factor, would be taken into account. The Chamberlin responded that all institutions would be considered through the relevant governance forums and lead service committees as appropriate.

With reference to the potential release of funding across the medium term for Build Back Better/ Climate Action Strategy purposes, it was noted that cash floes across the funds had been looked at closely and it was now clear that, in relation the delivering the Climate Action Strategy, it would not be possible to achieve this until 2027 rather than 2025. It was felt that this target date was now affordable and achievable.

RESOLVED, that:-

(i)            Members Note the extremely challenging financial context for 21/22 budget setting, as discussed at recent Resource Allocation Sub Committees and the transition period to a new target operating model (TOM);

(ii)           Approve the proposed approach to set financial envelopes for each Service Committee to prioritise their own service delivery through the business planning process later in the year; and

(iii)         Approve the proposed approach using bilateral meetings with service committee chairmen to inform the reduced

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 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 7 September 2020.

The non-public minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 7 September 2020 were approved as a correct record, subject to an amendment to the minute in relation to item 10: (Assistance to Tenants).

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain relative to a re-prioritisation of 2020/21 approved capital bids.

To be read in conjunction with item 9a.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces, which was read in conjunction with item 9.

To be read in conjunction with item 9a.

The Sub-Committee received the minute extract, which was read in conjunction with item 9.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor relative to tenant support packages.

Report of the City Surveyor.

This item was withdrawn.

There were no non-public questions.

a)    2021/22 Revenue Budget setting

Report of the Chamberlain.

There was none.