Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30. Deputy Roger Chadwick, as the immediate past Chairman, in Common Council and willing to serve, was accordingly declared as the Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Chairman took the opportunity to welcome Alderman Peter Estlin, Alderman Timothy Hailes, Alderman William Russell, Dominic Christian and Sophie Fernandes as new Members of the Committee, and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson as a returning Member of the Committee.

Vote of Thanks to the Past Chairman

Deputy Anthony Eskenzi moved a voted of thanks to Deputy Roger Chadwick, the immediate past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Members of the Finance Committee express their sincere thanks to:

DEPUTY ROGER ARTHUR HOLDEN CHADWICK

for the extremely able, caring and courteous manner in which he has presided over their deliberations and the detailed attention and interest he has shown in all aspects of the work of the Finance Committee for the past five years.

Roger has overseen a challenging time for the Corporation’s finances with reductions in Government funding and uncertain times for the British Economy, and has ably overseen the £20m savings programme of the Service Based Review.

Roger has ensured that the Corporation has continued to be a forward-looking organisation, well set for the future. In addition to the appointment of a new Chamberlain, Roger has overseen the re-launching of City Procurement, the restructuring of the finance team to strengthen strategic capability and links with the business, the signing and implementation of the IT contract with Agilisys and the delivery of a very challenging Oracle upgrade.

Despite the challenging economic circumstances, Roger has kept the Committee working with a positive attitude to benefit London and beyond. He has overseen the Corporation’s decision to award London Living Wage for all Corporation contracts, made donations totalling £380,000 to assist in disaster relief across the world and overseen grants of over £1m to charitable organisations, including enhancing the Corporation’s historic links to Londonderry through the Honourable Irish Society.

AND SO in taking leave of Deputy Roger Chadwick as their Chairman, Members of this Finance Committee wish to thank him for his service and excellent leadership of the Corporation’s financial affairs during this challenging period. The Committee gives to him their best wishes for his future health and happiness.