Agenda item

To elect three Deputy Chairmen in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

At the invitation of the Town Clerk, Mark Boleat confirmed that he wished to exercise his right as immediate past Chairman to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year, and was duly appointed to that role.

The Town Clerk noted that, as per Standing Order 30, two further Vice Chairmen were required, and read out a list of names of Members eligible to serve. Members were reminded that the successful candidate required 50% of the votes cast.

There being three Members wishing to serve, and two vacancies, a ballot was conducted.

Simon Duckworth – 24 votes

Hugh Morris – 15 votes

Marianne Fredericks – 5 votes.

Simon Duckworth, having secured at least 50% of the votes cast and having secured the most votes, was elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Town Clerk noted that, in line with Standing Orders, the candidate with the least votes now dropped off the ballot paper.

There being only one candidate remaining for a single vacancy, Hugh Morris was elected as Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

VOTE OF THANKS

Proposed by the Chief Commoner, Wendy Mead;

Seconded by Deputy Joyce Nash;

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

THAT the Members of the Policy and Resources Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to

Mark Boleat

for his outstanding service as Chairman of this Committee from May 2012 to May 2017.

Mark brought clarity of direction to his Chairmanship and the work of the Committee from the outset, at a time when London was preparing to welcome the Olympics and Paralympics, both events Mark had done much to help facilitate through the provision of City venues and City hospitality.

A key priority for the Committee and its Chairman has been maintaining London’s position as the world’s leading international financial and business centre. In this regard Mark has been fully engaged in the work of TheCityUK as its Deputy Chairman, helping to ensure that it has become established as an effective cross-sectoral body for the financial services industry.   

Mark’s influence found expression in the initiative to establish London as the leading western offshore hub for Remnimbi trading, leading to the growing presence of Chinese banks and other financial institutions in London. Moreover under his chairmanship London emerged as a leading centre of Fintech, facilitated by a £1 million grant from this Committee to Innovate Finance.

Throughout his term Mark has been instrumental in building links with policy makers and politicians in Europe, the United States and the Far East, through regular annual overseas visits to promote the City. Mark also helped to embed the City’s influence overseas through the recruitment of the City’s Special Representative for Europe and Special Adviser for Asia. He has also built strong links with the London Diplomatic Corps.

The future of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union represented a significant challenge for the City and Mark led the City Corporation’s response to the debate.

Following the Referendum and the decision to leave the European Union Mark emerged with a reputation as a reliable and informed spokesperson on behalf of the City, providing clarity on the issues facing UK based financial services. This was recognised by his appointment to the Mayor of London’s Brexit Advisory Group and the European Financial Services Chairmen’s Advisory Committee.

A hallmark of Mark’s Chairmanship has been his dedication to increasing the contribution the City Corporation makes to London issues more generally including education, employment and culture. He has proved an effective deputy chairman of London Councils, Chairman of the London Councils Pensions Collective Investment Vehicle, and Member of Central London Forward, positions from which he has been able to exercise a significant degree of influence on public policy responses to issues facing London.

The commitment and energy that Mark has brought to bear during his term will have long lasting effects, not least the City Corporation’s commitment to build 3,700 new homes for Londoners by 2025 or the creation of a Cultural Hub in the west of the City, centred on a New Museum of London at Smithfield.

The capable stewardship that Mark has demonstrated as Chairman is much appreciated by all Members of this Committee. It is for this reason that we sincerely hope that the City can continue to depend on his considerable skills and experience even as he turns his attentions to his next challenge.

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to make arrangements for the resolution to be presented in a manner agreeable to the past Chairman.