Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Neil Asten (Independent Person), Michael Hudson, Felicity Lusk (Co-opted Member), Alderman Julian Malins, Virginia Rounding and Chris Taylor (Independent Person).

The Chairman then formally welcomed Mr Greenburgh and Mr Large to their first meeting of the Standards Committee in their capacity as Co-opted Members.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes of the meetings held on 16^th May and 11^th September 2014.

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 16th May and 11th September 2014 were approved as accurate records.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings held on 16th May and 11th September 2014 be approved as accurate records.

MATTERS ARISING

A query was raised in respect of the Protocol on Member/Officer Relations and when the next annual review was anticipated.  The Town Clerk advised Members that the review would take place at the May meeting of the Committee, following the start of the new municipal year.  Whilst it was noted that Member/Officer related issues were generally dealt with informally via the Chief Commoner and the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and they were both invited annually to speak to the Committee about such matters, tribunal related matters were dealt with via the Establishment Committee.  It had previously been agreed that the Committee would receive updates in respect of tribunals, although no update had been provided over the past twelve months.  The Comptroller & City Solicitor undertook therefore to bring the Establishment Committee’s report on such matters to the next meeting of the Standards Committee for information. 

Resolved:- That the report of the Establishment Committee, pertaining to Industrial Tribunals, be submitted to the next meeting of the Standards Committee for information. 

A joint report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive and the Comptroller and City Solicitor relative to revised guidance to Members following the Court of Common Council’s approval of a revised Members’ Code of Conduct on 16^th October 2014.

The Committee is asked to consider the draft guidance and comment on other points for inclusion ahead of circulation to Members in December. 

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller & City Solicitor relative to the issuing of guidance for Members in respect of the revised Members’ Code of Conduct, which was approved by the Court of Common Council on 16^th October 2014. 

Draft guidance was before the Committee for consideration and Members’ views were sought ahead of circulation to all Members and Co-opted Members with a request, as per the previously agreed annual reminder process, that Members’ Declarations be reviewed and updated ahead of 1^st January 2014. 

It was noted that Members of the Court had been advised that the guidance for Members would include examples of relevant issues in respect of non-pecuniary interests (paragraph 7).  Consequently, it was agreed that the guidance should feature additional examples of relevant clubs/societies requiring registration and examples of fraternal societies such as the Freemasons and the Buffaloes (paragraph 7 (c).  It was agreed that a new paragraph 19 should be introduced to include the various examples. 

With regards to gifts and hospitality that do not need to be disclosed and the guidance to Members at paragraph 21, it was agreed that the reference to garden parties at Buckingham Palace should be amended to read as: “any invitation from Her Majesty The Queen.”  It was agreed that reference to the Chairman of the Planning Committee at paragraph 22 should be amended to read as: “any Member of the Planning & Transportation Committee.”  At paragraph 23, Members agreed that “livery company dinners” should be deleted and in paragraph 23, “exceptional” should be deleted at the second bullet point.

A query was raised regarding hospitality received at major events such as MIPIM (Le marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier) and it was agreed that whilst hospitality provided by the City of

On the 16^th October 2014, the revised Members’ Code of Conduct was approved by the Court of Common Council with an implementation date as of 1^st January 2015.

Following the Standards Committee’s meeting on 11^th September, where it was agreed that the new guidance for Members incorporate some clarification about the special provisions for ceremonial office holders, Members are asked to consider the existing arrangements.

The Private Secretary and Chief of Staff and the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen will be present to provide an overview of the current arrangements in respect of special provisions for ceremonial office holders (gifts and hospitality).

The Chairman welcomed Alderman Sir David Wootton (Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen) and William Chapman (Private Secretary & Chief of Staff) to the meeting and, with reference to the joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller & City Solicitor, provided an overview of the Committee’s previous discussions about the arrangements for ceremonial office holders in respect of the receipt of gifts and hospitality.  The Comptroller & City Solicitor then explained the legal position in respect of the declaration of gifts and hospitality by ceremonial office holders such as the Lord Mayor and highlighted the importance of protecting the reputation of the organisation and also relevant individuals.  

With regards to the current arrangements in operation at Mansion House, Alderman Sir David Wootton explained that any gifts received by The Lord Mayor were gifts of political courtesy and the protocol for giving and receiving such gifts was quite clear about what was appropriate and could not therefore be avoided.  Members were advised that all gifts were logged on a register which was managed by Mansion House and The Lord Mayor was then invited to consider whether to retain the gift or donate it to the City of London Corporation.  It was noted that donated gifts were put on public display at meetings of the Court of Common Council ahead of submission to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Department for safe-keeping.  With regards to those gifts that were retained by The Lord Mayor, such gifts were not valued as it would be difficult to realistically value the majority of gifts and, most importantly, there could be diplomatic implications of disclosing estimated values.  With regards to hospitality, it was noted that hospitality was not registered, although The Lord Mayor’s diary was widely accessible.

William Chapman (Private Secretary & Chief of Staff) confirmed that

A report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive relative to the use of urgency procedures since the Committee’s meeting in May 2014.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk relative to the details of three decisions that were taken by the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Standards Committee, since the Committee’s meeting on 16^th May 2014. 

Members’ noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 41(b), decisions had been taken in respect of revisions to the Members’ Code of Conduct (9^th July 2014 and 6^th October 2014) and the recommended appointment of two Co-opted Members (1^st September 2014). 

The Chairman advised the Committee that, as a result of his acquaintance with Mr Greenburgh and Mr Large, the approval in respect of the appointment of two Co-opted Members was made by the Town Clerk in consultation with the Deputy Chairman and Alderman Malins. 

Resolved:- That the report be noted.

A query was raised in respect of the last meeting of the Dispensations Sub-Committee on 23^rd September 2014 and it was noted that the minutes of that meeting should have been submitted for consideration.  The minutes would be considered at the next meeting of the Standards Committee. A further query was raised regarding consistency in how dispensations were granted and it was suggested that some guidance should be developed for Members of the Committee.

Resolved:- That-

(i) the minutes of the last meeting of the Dispensations Sub-Committee held on 23^rd September 2014 be submitted to the next  meeting of the Standards Committee for information; and

(ii) a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Standards Committee setting out guidance in respect of the issuing of dispensations in a consistent manner.

There was none.

The meeting adjourned at 2.56pm and reconvened at 3.11pm.