Agenda item

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation hosts a reception at the conclusion of the twentieth Commonwealth Lecture, which is to be held in Guildhall in March 2015.

The Commonwealth Lecture aims to stimulate understanding, discussion and debate on the Commonwealth, its role in world affairs, its institutions and its cultures.  It attracts a prestigious audience and media attention and has been held twice previously at Guildhall, in 2012 and 2013. The 2015 lecture, which has been arranged by the Commonwealth Secretary General, will be delivered by Helen Clark, who served three terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008.

This event will provide an opportunity for the City to further its institutional engagement with the Commonwealth, encouraging social, cultural and business relationships across the Commonwealth with attendees including politicians, senior government officials, diplomats, policy-makers, representatives of charitable organisations and community representatives from throughout the Commonwealth.

We recommend that appropriate hospitality therefore be granted and that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

This would be a Committee event.

It is proposed that the City of London Corporation hosts a reception at the conclusion of the twentieth Commonwealth Lecture, which is to be held in Guildhall in March 2015.

The Commonwealth Lecture aims to stimulate understanding, discussion and debate on the Commonwealth, its role in world affairs, its institutions and its cultures.  It attracts a prestigious audience and media attention and has been held twice previously at Guildhall, in 2012 and 2013. The 2015 lecture, which has been arranged by the Commonwealth Secretary General, will be delivered by Helen Clark, who served three terms as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008.

This event will provide an opportunity for the City to further its institutional engagement with the Commonwealth, encouraging social, cultural and business relationships across the Commonwealth with attendees including politicians, senior government officials, diplomats, policy-makers, representatives of charitable organisations and community representatives from throughout the Commonwealth.

We recommend that appropriate hospitality therefore be granted and that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

This would be a Committee event.

Read and agreed.