Agenda and minutes

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) 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Thomas Clementi, Graeme Harrower, Wendy Mead and Mark Wheatley.

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

2.

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

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

3.

Minutes

Minutes:

3a

20 January 2020 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 20 January 2020.

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

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.

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

3b

23 March 2020 pdf icon PDF 20 KB

To note the minute of the inquorate meeting held on 23 March 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the minute of the inquorate meeting held on 23 March 2020 be noted.

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

4.

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

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

5.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Members are asked to note the Committee’s forward plan.

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

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.

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

6.

Presentation: Our City Together

Head of Culture and Visitor Strategy to be heard.

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

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

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

7.

Presentation: A Tourism Recovery Plan for the City

Carmel Dennis Tourism Consulting to be heard.

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

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.


RESOLVED, that – the presentation be received and its contents noted.

 

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

8.

Presentation: Culture Mile Update

Culture Mile Manager to be heard.

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

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.

RESOLVED, that – the presentation be received and its contents noted.

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

9.

Financial Impacts Update

Chief Officers to be heard.

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

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.

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

10.

Tower Bridge Update

Director of Open Spaces to be heard.

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

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.

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

11.

Recognition of Women: Progress Report pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Report of the Director of Major Projects.

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

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.

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

12.

Phased Reopening of Lending Libraries pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

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

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.

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

13.

Revenue Outturn 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 231 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

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.

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

14.

Gateway 3/4 - Tower Bridge Service Trenches Refurbishment pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

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

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.

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

15.

Tower Bridge and Monument Risk Management pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to Tower Bridge and Monument Risk Management.

RESOLVED, that – Members;

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.

 

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

16.

Keats House Risk Management pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

 

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

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.

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

17.

End of Year Update Report for Keats House Charity, 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 189 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

 

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

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.

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

18.

Report of Action Taken pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive.

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

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.

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

19.

London Metropolitan Archives Update

Director of London Metropolitan Archives to be heard.

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

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.

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

20.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

21.

Any other business the Chair considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

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

22.

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.

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

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.

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

23.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January 2020.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held 20 January 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

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

24.

London and Partners: Repurposing Domestic Tourism Consortium Underspend to The Alliance

Report of the Director of Major Projects and the Director of Communications.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

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.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Gateway 6 - The Lord Mayor's State Coach: Conservation and Repair

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 26.

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

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.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.