Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall
Contact: Chloe Rew
tel. no.: 020 7332 1427
Email: chloe.rew@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Note: Virtual Public Meeting (Accessible Remotely)
No. | Item |
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies were received from Thomas Clementi, Graeme Harrower, Wendy Mead and Mark Wheatley. |
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Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda Minutes: There were no declarations. |
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Minutes Minutes: |
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To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 20 January 2020. Minutes: RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous formal meeting held on 20 January 2020 be received as a correct record. |
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To note the minute of the inquorate meeting held on 23 March 2020. Minutes: RESOLVED, that – the minute of the inquorate meeting held on 23 March 2020 be noted. |
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Vote of Thanks Minutes: RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY, that –
Members of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to –
GRAHAM PACKHAM for the dedication he has shown in all aspects of his work on their Committee, and the exemplary manner in which he has presided over the Committee during his three years as Chair.
GRAHAM HAS DEMONSTRATED his commitment to developing a thriving cultural offering for those who live, work and visit the City. With Graham’s oversight, the City has continued to see growth in its cultural institutions, including the Guildhall Art Gallery, Tower Bridge and Monument, Billingsgate Roman House and Baths, and the City of London Police Museum. In this time, the City has welcomed countless City workers, residents and visitors to Guildhall through engaging Guildhall Yard programming, with a wider and comprehensive programme of outdoor arts which has included Women: Work and Power in 2018 and Fantastic Feats in 2019, attracting audiences in excess of 56,000 and 96,000 respectively.
UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP, the Committee has brought innovative work and world-class artists to the City’s public realm, and attracted new audiences through Sculpture in the City and the City Arts Initiative, and the new Guildhall Artist in Residence programme. Through the Inspiring London Through Culture grants programme, he has, with the Committee’s support, enabled organisations and individual artists to deliver a vibrant and exciting portfolio of work for City communities. With the Committee’s endorsement, the City Corporation has supported new events, including the London Landmarks Half Marathon, which in 2019 welcomed 12,000 participants, 49,000 spectators and raised over £6 million for 180 charities and Fields of Battle, Wizarding World, House of Sound and London Games Festival which have collectively attracted over half a million visitors.
HIS COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY has brought modernised |
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Members are asked to note the Committee’s forward plan. Minutes: Members received the Committee’s forward plan and noted that further items would be added for the following meeting schedule for 21 September 2020. |
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Presentation: Our City Together Head of Culture and Visitor Strategy to be heard. Minutes: a) Presentation: Update of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director
Members received a presentation of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director with respect to measures taken by the Cultural and Visitor Development team in response to the impact of the COVID-19. It was noted that the team had taken this time to catch-up on certain tasks, such as staff development and mentoring, programme planning for next year, and developing a retail strategy. The team focused on amplifying new content and programmes through platforms, such as Google Arts and Culture, #virtuallylondon, #londonisopen, #visitthecityfromhome, and Because I’m a Londoner. Engagement focused on working to retain and develop new audiences who previously would not have engaged with cultural offerings. Support was being offered both internally to staff, and externally to partners, including signposting to aid for cultural and tourism SMEs, webinars for stakeholders, and staff training. It was noted that the recovery phase was now a priority, underpinned by a Tourism Recovery Plan. This included assessing revenue options at the City Information Centre, and data-collection research. These initiatives were complemented by a number of themes including Women, Diversity, Green Planet and Local Audiences.
It was further noted that the Culture and Visitor Development team was working closely with the Department for the Built Environment to explore possibilities for outdoor seating in the Guildhall Yard, keeping in consideration social distancing, rubbish bins, cleaning and hygiene.
With respect to public toilets, it was noted that there were fewer toilets available in the Community Toilet Scheme, as restaurants and pubs were only available for bookings. Officers were working to identify available toilets and to have this information available online and at the City Information Centre.
RESOLVED, that – the presentation be received and its contents noted.
b) Presentation: Our City |
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Presentation: A Tourism Recovery Plan for the City Carmel Dennis Tourism Consulting to be heard. Minutes: Members received a presentation from Carmel Dennis Tourism Consulting with respect to the Tourism Recovery Plan for the City. Research covered an analysis of the macro-level status and implications for the City of London. Research indicated that 78% of the UK population intended to holiday domestically, and 10% intended to visit London. It was anticipated there would be reduced overseas visitors until 2024.
The City faced challenges due to the small local resident market, and being dependent on City workers and business visitors for its shops, hotels and cafes to be viable. Furthermore, the perception that the City was only accessible by tube created limitations during the COVID period where people were concerned with traveling by tube.
Despite these challenges, there were opportunities to promote the unique experience the City offered, including history, architecture and culture, outdoor eating and roof top terraces, compared to other districts which were dependent on indoor activities such as shopping and theatre. It was noted that the City had an opportunity to promote the numerous ways to access the City, including cycling, bus, train and boat.
It was noted that the City’s Tourism Strategy would remain valid post-COVID, The priorities would remained the same however they should be approached with increased urgency.
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Presentation: Culture Mile Update Culture Mile Manager to be heard. Minutes: Members received a presentation of the Culture
Mile Manager with respect to the impact of COVID-19 on the Culture
Mile. The Barbican Centre and the Museum of London were closed
during lockdown, but following reopening in early July, there would
be increased traffic to the Culture Mile area. The lockdown period
demonstrated to London residents the cultural offerings in their
local area. Educational ‘play packs’ were created to
provide educational materials to families without internet access,
and were also offered online. Moving forward, the focus would be on
promoting the Culture mile to specific communities and neighbouring
boroughs. |
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Financial Impacts Update Chief Officers to be heard. Minutes: Members received an update of the Committee’s Chief Officers with respect to the impacts of COVID-19 on their respective areas of work.
The Assistant Town Clerk advised Members that the Foreign Exchange service provider had terminated its contract with the City Information Centre.
The Director of the London Metropolitan Archives advised that although visit income had decreased, during the lockdown there had been an increased interest in archives during the lockdown period which could be accessed online.
The Director of Open Spaces advised that there had been a loss of income in Open Spaces attractions, however steps were being taken to reduce expenditure. A furlough scheme had been approved, to which the central government would provide financial contribution.
Further assessment would be undertaken in the coming months and an update would be provided to the Committee in September 2020.
RESOLVED, that – the updates be received. |
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Tower Bridge Update Director of Open Spaces to be heard. Minutes: Members received an update of the Head of Tower Bridge and Monument relative to the impact of COVID-19 on Tower Bridge. It was reported that Tower Bridge closed in March, and an online offering was made available to the public, including digital educational resources. This new digital approach would remain available. Tower Bridge had implemented Responsible Recovery, aiming to attract a local audience, and Responsible Reopening, implementing safe and practical measures such as clearly outlined visible traffic routes, hand sanitiser, cashless transactions and Perspex screens.
The Bridge reopened to the public on 4 July as part of a ‘soft launch’, welcoming 270 visitors over 2 days, with a high number of locals taking-up the community ticket offer and positive visitor response to the measures in place for safe operation. Visitors commented on being grateful and emotional to have the opportunity to visit and experience culture and heritage following lockdown.
RESOLVED, that – the update be received. |
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Recognition of Women: Progress Report PDF 163 KB Report of the Director of Major Projects. Minutes: Members received a report of the Director of Major Projects relative to the Recognition of Women programme of activities, noting the return of £23,000 to the Policy Initiatives Fund in relation to the indefinite postponement of the installation of the Fearless Girl statue in the City.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Phased Reopening of Lending Libraries PDF 127 KB Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services. Additional documents: Minutes: Members receive a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the phased reopening of the City’s lending libraries following the COVID-19 closures. It was noted that the target date to open all three lending libraries was 20 July 2020, subject to the approval of building risk assessments by the City Surveyor and, in the case of the Barbican Library, on the Barbican Centre having started its own phased reopening. Once open, there would be restricted usage of IT services, and study spaces and newspapers would not be available. Returned items would be quarantined for 72 hours.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Revenue Outturn 2019/20 PDF 231 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: Members received a report of the Chamberlain relative to the Revenue Outturn for 2019/20.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Gateway 3/4 - Tower Bridge Service Trenches Refurbishment PDF 215 KB Report of the Director of the Built Environment. Additional documents:
Minutes: Members received a report of the Director of the Built Environment relative to the Gateway 3/4 report of the Tower Bridge Service Trenches Refurbishment project.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Tower Bridge and Monument Risk Management PDF 126 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Additional documents:
Minutes: Members considered a report of the Director of
Open Spaces relative to Tower Bridge and Monument Risk
Management. 1. approve the Tower Bridge & Monument risk register included in appendix 2 of the report; 2. approve the reactivation and increased risk score of OSD TBM 008 – Income and Service Delivery Affected by Pandemics (eg. Flu) within Appendix 2; 3. approve the addition of OSD TBM 010 – Health and Safety – Working at Height within appendix 2.
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Keats House Risk Management PDF 101 KB Report of the Director of Open Spaces.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to Keats House risk management.
RESOLVED, that – Members approve the Keats House risk register included in appendix 2 of the report. |
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End of Year Update Report for Keats House Charity, 2019/20 PDF 189 KB Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.
Additional documents: Minutes: Members received a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath relative to the End of Year Update Report for Keats House Charity 2019/20.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Report of Action Taken PDF 140 KB Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive. Minutes: Members received a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive relative to decisions taken under urgency procedures since the last formal meeting on 20 January 2020.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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London Metropolitan Archives Update Director of London Metropolitan Archives to be heard. Minutes: Members received an update of the Director of the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA), who informed the Committee that the LMA had been awarded a £150,000 Wellcome grant for the ‘Positive History: Preserving the Archives of HIV and AIDS’ in June 2020. It was further reported that a new strategy for the City Business Library would be brought to the Committee in September with increased focus on online content and support.
RESOLVED, that – the update be received. |
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Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions. |
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Any other business the Chair considers urgent Minutes: There was no other business. |
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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. Minutes: 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. |
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Non-Public Minutes To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January 2020. Minutes: RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held 20 January 2020 be agreed as a correct record. |
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London and Partners: Repurposing Domestic Tourism Consortium Underspend to The Alliance Report of the Director of Major Projects and the Director of Communications. Minutes: Members received a joint report of the Director of Major Projects and the Director of Communications relative to the London & Partners’ Domestic Tourism Consortium.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Tower Bridge (Bridge House Estates Charity Registration No.1035628) and Monument Performance Report April 2019 to March 2020 Report of the Director of Open Spaces. Minutes: Members received a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to the Tower Bridge and Monument Performance from April 2019 to March 2020.
RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.
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Gateway 6 - The Lord Mayor's State Coach: Conservation and Repair Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: Members considered a Gateway 6 report of the City Surveyor relative to the Lord Mayor’s State Coach Conservation and Repair.
RESOLVED, that – the recommendations be agreed. |
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Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee Minutes: There were no questions. |
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Any other business that the Chair considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded Minutes: There was one item of business. |