Agenda and minutes

Venue: Guildhall

Contact: Gregory Moore 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

The apologies of those Members unable to attend this meeting of the Court were noted.

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

2.

Declarations by Members under the Code of Conduct in respect of any items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were none.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 195 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 21 June 2018.

 

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

Minutes:

Resolved - That the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

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

4.

Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials.

Minutes:

Resolved unanimously – That, on his retirement from this Honourable Court, Members wish to place on record their most sincere thanks to:-

 

Jeffrey Richard de Corban Evans, the Lord Mountevans

 

for the service that he has given to the City of London Corporation and to the City.

 

Having served the Ward of Cheap as its Alderman since his election in 2007, in 2012/13 Jeffrey was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2015/16, served as the City’s 688th Lord Mayor; carrying out the demanding role with commitment and integrity.

 

Drawing on his strong shipping background, including roles as a Managing Director of Clarkson’s Shipping and Chairman of Maritime London, Jeffrey has used his experience and insight over the past eleven years to help navigate the City through all waters, whether turbulent or smooth, and we are grateful to him for his many contributions.

 

Having now stepped down from Office, Jeffrey, so well supported throughout by Juliet, can take with him the very best wishes of all his colleagues on this Court for a long, happy and healthy retirement from civic life in the City.

 

Resolved unanimously – That, on her retirement from this Honourable Court, Members wish to place on record their most sincere thanks to:-

 

Dame Catherine Fiona Woolf, D.B.E.

 

for her dedication to the work of the City over the past 11 years.

 

In 2007, Dame Fiona was admitted to this Court as an Alderman for the Ward of Candlewick.  In 2010, she was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2013, became the City’s 686th Lord Mayor and only the second female to serve as Lord Mayor since 1189.

 

Having held prominent positions in her professional career – namely as a Partner at CMS Cameron

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

5.

Mayoral Visits

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent overseas visits.

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

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor reported on his recent visits to Nigeria, Japan and South Korea.

 

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

6.

Policy Statement

To receive a statement from the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee.

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

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee spoke to update Members on the City Corporation’s response to the Brexit White Paper, which had been published by Her Majesty’s Government the previous week, and to outline the proposed next steps.

 

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

7.

Docquets for the Hospital Seal.

Minutes:

There were no docquets for the seal.

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

8.

The Freedom of the City pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To consider a circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City.

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

Minutes:

The Chamberlain, in pursuance of the Order of this Court, presented a list of the under-mentioned, persons who had made applications to be admitted to the Freedom of the City by Redemption:-

 

Stephanie Fernande Reine Marty

a Restaurant Manager

Wood Green, London

 

Gareth Wynford Moore

Citizen and Joiner & Ceiler

 

 

William Frederick Payne

 

Citizen and Joiner & Ceiler

 

 

Terry Donald Willmott

a Telecommunications Co-Ordinator, retired

Hanham, Bristol

 

Colin James Bridgen

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey Charles Williams

 

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Paul Robert Hughes 

a Sales Consultant, retired

Longwell Green, Bristol

 

Colin James Bridgen

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey Charles Williams

 

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Gary Jesse Weeks 

an Accountant, retired

Kingswood, Bristol

 

Colin James Bridgen

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey Charles Williams

 

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Mark Samuel Harris

a Nightclub Company Director

Fishponds, Bristol

 

Colin James Bridgen

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey Charles Williams

 

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey John Wherlock

a Print Worker

Ashton, Bristol

 

Colin James Bridgen

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Jeffrey Charles Williams

 

Citizen and Carman

 

 

Robert John Bell 

a Chief Executive

Coleridge Gardens, Chelsea

 

Brian Peter Jesse Farminer

Citizen and Turner

 

 

Dr Mahmoud Saleh Barbir

 

Citizen and Apothecary

 

 

Karina Marion Hartmann 

a Hotel Manager, retired

Oerlinghausen, Germany

 

Norman Edward Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

 

Frederick Joseph Trowman

 

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

Anna-Lena Strube 

a Student

Oerlinghausen, Germany

 

Norman Edward Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

 

Frederick Joseph Trowman

 

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

Max Schneider 

a Business Controlling Student

Oerlinghausen, Germany

 

Norman Edward Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

 

Frederick Joseph Trowman

 

Citizen and Loriner

 

 


Lukas Kronshage 

a Technician

Oerlinghausen, Germany

Norman Edward Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

Frederick Joseph Trowman

 

Citizen and Loriner

 

Charlotte Lauren Kipping  

an Office Manager

Woodford Green, Essex

Norman Edward  Chapman

Citizen and Glover

 

Frederick Joseph Trowman

 

Citizen and Loriner

 

Sarah Jane Pickup

a Local Government Deputy Chief Executive

Hertford, Hertfordshire

Sir David Wootton, Kt., Ald.

Citizen and Fletcher

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

9.

Legislation pdf icon PDF 58 KB

To receive a report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation.

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

Minutes:

The Court received a report on measures introduced by Parliament which might have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-

 

 

Statutory Instruments

Date in Force

The Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Approval and Designation of Schemes) Regulations 2018 S.I. No. 751

The Regulations give the Secretary of State the power to approve or designate client money protection schemes and set out the conditions to be satisfied before approval is granted. The Regulations will be enforced by local authorities, including the Common Council in its capacity as a local authority.

 

Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 S.I. No. 730

The Regulations provide for unaccompanied refugee children who have been transferred to the United Kingdom under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 and have limited leave to remain to be eligible for social housing and homeless assistance if they are habitually resident in the United Kingdom.

           

The Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (England) Regulations 2018 S.I. No. 731

The Regulations make amendments to earlier Regulations and provide for the costs of testing deceased cattle (other than cattle intended for human consumption) to be met by industry and not out of public funds. The Regulations are in part enforced by local authorities, including the Common Council in its capacity as a local authority.

 

21 June 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9July 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 July 2018

 

 

 

 

(The text of the measures and the explanatory notes may be obtained from the Remembrancer’s Office.)

Read.

 

 

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

10.

Appointments

To consider the following appointments:

 

(A)         Two Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for four-year terms expiring in July 2022.

 

Nominations received:-

Ian Christopher Norman Seaton

James Michael Douglas Thomson, Deputy

 

(B)         Three Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, for four-year terms expiring in July 2022.

 

Nominations received:-

Nicholas Michael Bensted-Smith, J.P.

Tijs Broeke

Ann Holmes

 

(C)         Four Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School, two for four-year terms expiring July 2022, and two for the balance of terms, one expiring July 2018 and one expiring in July 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Elizabeth Rogula, Deputy

Philip John Woodhouse, Deputy

 

(D)         Five Members on the Community & Children’s Services Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Graeme Harrower

 

(E)         Two Members on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

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

Minutes:

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees:

 

(A)      Two Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for four-year terms expiring in July 2022.

 

Nominations received:-

Ian Christopher Norman Seaton

James Michael Douglas Thomson, Deputy

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Ian Seaton and Deputy James Thomson to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School.

 

(B)      Three Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, for four-year terms expiring in July 2022.

 

Nominations received:-

Nicholas Michael Bensted-Smith, J.P.

Tijs Broeke

Ann Holmes

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Nicholas Bensted-Smith, Tijs Broeke and Ann Holmes to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

 

(C)      Four Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School, three for four-year terms expiring July 2022 and one for the balance of a terms expiring July 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Elizabeth Rogula, Deputy

Philip John Woodhouse, Deputy

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Elizabeth Rogula and Deputy Philip Woodhouse to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School.

 

(D)      Five Members on the Community & Children’s Services Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Graeme Harrower

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Graeme Harrower to be appointed to the Community & Children’s Services Committee.

 

(E)      Two Members on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2019.

 

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Randall Anderson to be appointed to the Standards Appeals Committee.

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

11.

Questions

Minutes:

Grenfell Tower

William Upton asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee regarding the speed and nature of the response and the City Corporation’s involvement to the tragic events at Grenfell Tower.

 

Responding, the Chairman noted that a Public Inquiry would be looking into the response, adding that, whilst the City Corporation did not have any direct involvement in the process at this point in time, it would be monitoring developments and learning emerging from the Inquiry. She also advised that the Greater London Authority’s London Resilience Team were currently in the process of carrying out multi-agency debriefs and that the City Corporation would seek to use their report to help identify local learning which might be adopted and implemented.

 

In response to a supplementary question from William Upton, the Chairman explained that, in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, the City Corporation had undertaken a comprehensive review of processes and procedures relating to fire safety across all its residential properties. As a consequence of this activity, a programme of fire safety improvement works was being implemented across the entirety of the residential portfolio, with progress reports being provided to the Community and Children’s Services Committee on a regular basis. The Chairman also made reference to additional learning which had been taken on board through London Councils, with their Leaders’ Committee having identified various learning points which had been communicated back to officers.

 

Public Realm Enhancements

Alderman Michael Mainelli asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning improvements being made to the public realm.

 

Replying, the Chairman outlined the positive work undertaken in recent years to improve the public realm across the City, improving pedestrian access, inclusivity and safety. He added that this activity was primarily managed through the City

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

12.

Motions

Minutes:

There were no motions.

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

13.

Awards and Prizes

Minutes:

There was no report.

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

14.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

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

Minutes:

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

(John George Stewart Scott, J.P., Chief Commoner)

10 July 2018

Applications for Hospitality

 

(a)      Ambassador of Kuwait

His Excellency, the Ambassador of Kuwait, Mr Khaled Al-Duwaisan, was due to complete 25 years as Ambassador to the United Kingdom during 2018. 

 

The Ambassador was a regular attendee at many City events, including the Lord Mayor’s Banquet and State Banquets.  As Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, he was also one of the speakers at the Easter Banquet. During his tenure, the City had hosted two State Banquets for Kuwait, in May 1995 and November 2012. 

 

The Ambassador had been recognised with awards for his work on interfaith dialogue and counter-terrorism and was awarded a KCVO by Her Majesty the Queen in 2015.

 

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James and to thank him for his work in promoting ties between Kuwait and the UK, including the City. Guests would include representatives from the Royal Household, Foreign Office and City businesses, and personal City contacts of the Ambassador including Livery Companies and institutions with which the Ambassador was associated. 

 

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within approved parameters.

 

The host element would be the Hospitality Working Party, Aldermen above the Chair and Members with relevant interests.

 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James, with arrangements to be made

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

15.

Finance Committee pdf icon PDF 65 KB

To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures relating to the award of a contract for catering, cleaning and housekeeping services at the City of London Freemen’s School.

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

Minutes:

FINANCE COMMITTEE

 

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

1 July 2018

Report of Urgent Action Taken: City of London Freemen’s School Catering, Cleaning and Housekeeping Services – Contract Award Report

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures concerning the award of a contact for Soft Facilities Management services, including catering, cleaning and housekeeping services, at the City of London Freemen’s School. It was noted that approval had been given to the award of a three-year contract, commencing 1 August 2018, to Sodexo Limited at a cost of £1,535,402 per annum.

 

Resolved – That the action taken under urgency procedures be noted.

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

16.

Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To consider amendments to the Board’s Terms of Reference.

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

Minutes:

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DRAMA

 

(Vivienne Littlechild, J.P.)

24 May 2018

Amendments to Terms of Reference

The Court of Common Council was asked to consider and approve proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Board of Governors of Guildhall School of Music and Drama (GSMD). These changes arose as a result of the introduction in April 2018 of the Office for Students, in place of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), as well as a review of the terms of reference by the Board’s Governance and Effectiveness Sub Committee. The proposed amendments had been considered and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Committee and were recommended to the Court for final approval. 

 

Resolved That the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, as set out in the appendix to this report, be approved.

 

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

17.

Standards Committee

To consider reports of the Standards Committee, as follows:-

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

Minutes:

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

(Oliver Arthur Wynlayne Lodge)

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

17a

Amendment to Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 83 KB

(A) Amendments to Terms of Reference – To consider amendments to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

For Decision

 

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

Minutes:

8 May 2018

(a) Amendments to Terms of Reference

The Court of Common Council was asked to consider and approve proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Standards Committee arising from the outcome of the review of the Standards framework. These proposed amendments had been considered and endorsed by the Policy and Resources Committee and were recommended for approval.

 

The Chairman spoke to introduce the report, clarifying the transitional arrangements applicable to the changes to the Committee's Terms of Reference. He confirmed that, consistent with the decision of the Court made on 8 March 2018, any appeal in relation to an allegation that had already been assessed by the relevant Standards Sub-Committee would be determined under the existing arrangements.

 

Resolved – That the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Standards Committee, as set out in the appendix to the report, be approved.

 

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

17b

Appointment of Co-opted Members pdf icon PDF 74 KB

(B) Appointment of Co-opted Members – To consider the re-appointment of two co-opted Members to the Committee.

For Decision

 

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

Minutes:

18 May 2018

(b) Co-opted Member Appointments

The terms of office of two current co-opted Members of the Standards Committee were due to expire in December 2018. Although both co-optees were eligible for reappointment for a second and final four-year term of office, it was proposed that one reappointment be for a three-year period at this stage, in order to better regulate the terms of office of the co-opted members of the Committee. The Court was therefore recommended to reappoint Dan Large and Mark Greenburgh as co-opted Members of the Standards Committee, for a four-year and a three-year term of office respectively, to commence from the expiry of their current terms in December 2018.

 

In reply to a question from Benjamin Murphy, the Chairman assured the Court that diversity and inclusion would be at the forefront of the Committee’s approach when considering potential appointees to the outstanding co-opted Member vacancy on the Committee. However, he cautioned that application levels for such posts had historically been low and the Committee might therefore be limited in its options. The Chairman subsequently urged Members to encourage good quality prospective candidates they might be aware of to apply.

 

Responding to a further question from Marianne Fredericks, the Chairman confirmed that co-opted Members were subject to the same rules as elected Members in respect of the management of potential conflicts and declarations of interests. In addition, the Committee was able to consider additional background information and request information and disclosures relating to any historic convictions or offences.

 

Resolved – That Dan Large and Mark Greenburgh be reappointed as co-opted Members of the Standards Committee, for a four-year and a three-year term of office respectively, to commence from the expiry of their current terms in December 2018.

 

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

17c

Annual Report pdf icon PDF 75 KB

(C) Annual Report – To receive the annual report providing a summary of the Standards Committee’s activities over the year.

For Information

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

Minutes:

18 May 2018

(c) Annual Report

The Court received the annual report of the Standards Committee, advising of its activity during the May 2017 to April 2018 period. It was noted that five alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct had been considered by the Committee during 2017/18.

 

Responding to a question from Marianne Fredericks, the Chairman advised that training in relation to the new complaints and appeals procedures would need to be undertaken by Members of the new Standards Appeals Committee prior to that Committee taking on its responsibilities. He added that he had undertaken the training personally and had also encouraged fellow Standards Committee Members to participate, to gain a greater understanding of the new procedures.

 

Resolved – That the report be received and its content noted.

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

18.

Local Government Pensions Board pdf icon PDF 74 KB

To consider the extension of an existing Member’s appointment to allow for staggered terms.

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

Minutes:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSIONS BOARD

 

(Ian David Luder, J.P., Alderman)

29 June 2018

Revision to Term of Membership

At its meeting on 25 June 2015, the Court of Common Council had established a Local Government Pensions Board in order to meet the requirements of the Public Services Pension Act 2013, which specified that a Local Government Pensions Board must be established by 1 April 2015, but that it need not be operational at this point.

 

The Court appointed two Members, Alderman Ian Luder and James Tumbridge, as Scheme Manager representatives for terms of four years expiring in April 2019.

 

It had now been recognised that staggered terms of Membership would be more appropriate to allow for a continuation of Member knowledge and experience on the Board, as well as to offer a smooth transition in future years and a sensible rotation of Members to the Board going forward.

 

The Court of Common Council was therefore recommended to extend the current term on the Board of James Tumbridge by two years to expire in April 2021. This would allow for a staggering of Membership and offer sufficient overlap between elected Members on the Board when appointing these on four-yearly terms going forward.

 

Resolved – That James Tumbridge’s current term on the Local Government Pensions Board be extended by two years, such that it now expired in April 2021.

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

19.

By the Chief Commoner

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

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

Minutes:

Resolved that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

Summary of exempt items considered whilst the public were excluded:-

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

20.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 21 June 2018.

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

Minutes:

21.

Capital Buildings Committee

To consider proposals relating to a major building project.

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

Minutes:

Capital Buildings Committee

The Court approved recommendations concerning a project to provide a new combined courts and police facility.

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

22.

Establishment Committee

To consider the proposed pay deal for staff for 2018-20.

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

Minutes:

Establishment Committee

The Court approved recommendations relating to a proposed pay deal for staff for 2018-20.

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

23.

Property Investment Board

To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the disposal of a 150-year lease.

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

Minutes:

Property Investment Board

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures concerning the disposal of a 150-year lease.

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