Agenda item

City Workforce

Deputy Brian Mooney asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the composition of the City workforce, with particular reference to the new City of London Jobs leaflet. This was one of a new range of products being produced to provide succinct and accessible information on financial and professional services and other priority areas for the City Corporation. Responding, the Chairman confirmed that none of the employees currently based in the City had been born in Antarctica and advised that the wording on the leaflet would be altered to remove any scope for future confusion.

In response to a supplementary question from Deputy Mooney, the Chairman updated Members on the work the City Corporation was engaged in to inform the Brexit negotiations, as well as to promote the City around the world. She also outlined significant work with partners that was underway, to seek to ensure that the City’s pre-eminence as a financial and professional services hub was maintained post-Brexit, with the size its workforce preserved or increased in years to come.

Diversity

Prem Goyal asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee regarding the City Corporation’s approach to diversity. In reply, the Chairman set out the robust internal policies and procedures in place in support of the City Corporation’s commitment to equality and inclusion, as well as referencing the various staff networks and the significant efforts to increase the diversity of the Court through the recent City-wide elections. She also detailed the external activities the City Corporation was engaged in to spread its values and best practice across other City businesses and employers, such as the Power of Diversity breakfast series, utilising its ‘soft power’ to influence others positively.

The Sheriffs’ Breakfast

Prem Goyal asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the funding of, and guest list for, the Sheriffs’ Breakfast. Replying, the Chairman noted that funding from City Cash was used for a wide range of events each year with a variety of purposes, from furthering specific UK and City business priorities to events with a wider social and cultural purpose. On each occasion, the precise composition of the guest list would depend on the nature and purpose of the event and, in the case of the Sheriffs’ Breakfast, the guest list was likely to be very different from, for example, an event aimed at promoting a particular business sector, or fostering relations with a particular community or country.

Although records were not kept of the ethnicity and socio-economic status of guests at past events, the City Corporation aimed to provide events during the course of a year which would attract a wide and diverse range of guests and securing a suitable balance on the composition of guests at City hosted events to reflect the changing nature of the City, is something that the Corporation was pursuing proactively.

In response to a supplementary question from Caroline Addy, the Chairman reiterated the City Corporation’s commitments in respect of diversity and confirmed that, should any organisation with which it was connected be acting in a manner contrary to these values, then the relationship with such associations would be examined and appropriate action taken.

In reply to a further supplementary question from Prem Goyal concerning a specific experience with an external organisation, the Chairman explained that she was not aware of the details of this case and was therefore not able to speak on this matter at this time.

Aldermanic Elections

Prem Goyal asked a question of the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen relative to steps taken to increase the diversity of candidates standing in Aldermanic elections. Responding, the Chairman commended the City Corporation’s efforts in respect of the recent City-wide elections, which proved very successful and had provided a number of points of learning which could be drawn on for future Aldermanic elections. He also observed that diversity had been a central theme in all its forms for the past four Lord Mayors and was pleased to note a recent increase in the diversity of candidates at elections.

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Goyal concerning expenses associated with being an Alderman, the Chairman clarified that there was no formal or mandatory cash contribution required to serve as an Alderman. However, there were a number of expenses that Aldermen had, by convention, borne themselves, such as purchasing their own robes and ceremonial clothing, often from retiring Aldermen. He confirmed that all such arrangements were freely explained to serious candidates who enquired before standing for election.

Bank Junction

James Tumbridge asked a question of the Deputy Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning the pedestrianisaton of Bank Junction, following reference made at a recent committee meeting to the effect that officers were working towards this outcome as a long-term aim.

The Deputy Chairman prefaced his reply by informing the Court that the Chairman was currently engaged elsewhere on City Corporation business, hence his providing the response on this occasion. He then explained that officers were currently exploring four different options for the long-term future of Bank Junction, in accordance with the instructions of the relevant committees. One of these options was the full pedestrianisation of the Junction; however, in working up the agreed options, officers were very clear that none of them might ultimately prove technically viable or be agreed by Members. He also reminded Members that the experimental precursor scheme was still ongoing, the outcomes of which would help to inform any option finalised for Member consideration.

Responding to a supplementary question from Mr Tumbridge, the Deputy Chairman undertook to remind officers of the distinction between developing options for Members’ consideration and acting to implement these options. He also made clear to officers and Members that any decision on the long-term future of the Junction would be a matter for the appropriate committees and, ultimately, the Court of Common Council to determine.

Project Servator

Deputy Edward Lord asked a question of the Chairman of the Police Committee seeking clarification about Project Servator and a recent operation near the Millennium Bridge. The Chairman, responding, provided a brief outline of the nature of Project Servator and detailed the powers under which officers were stopping people, as well as the way in which those stopped were identified. He confirmed that those who were stopped were told of their rights and that the stops were fully compliant with Code A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.