Agenda item

To consider four applications concerning the provision of hospitality.

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Wendy Mead, O.B.E., Chief Commoner)

13 December 2017

Applications for Hospitality

(i)        (i) Lecture and early evening reception to mark the 250^th anniversary of the imprisonment of John Wilkes

John Wilkes was an 18^th century journalist and radical politician who, following repeated expulsions from Parliament and a period of imprisonment, was elected as an Alderman in 1769. He became a Sheriff of the City of London in 1771, before being elected as Lord Mayor in 1774. He was subsequently elected as City Chamberlain in 1779. 2018 marks the 250^th anniversary of his imprisonment for seditious libel and a study of his remarkable life provided an opportunity to examine eighteenth-century British politics, demonstrate the City Corporation’s commitment to education, and provide the opportunity to engage with students from the City Corporation’s associated schools and academies. It would also help illuminate an intriguing element of the City Corporation’s rich history.

It was proposed that the City Corporation invite Professor Jeremy Black to give a lecture on the career of John Wilkes, followed by a reception and a small private dinner. Guests would include historians, students from the City Academies and Schools, representatives from the Livery Companies and the London Metropolitan Archives, past Lord Mayors and parliamentarians.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for a lecture and early evening reception, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

This was to be a full Court event.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a lecture and early evening reception, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(ii)     (ii) Lecture and reception to mark the 500^th anniversary of the birth of Sir Thomas Gresham

Sir Thomas Gresham was born in London in 1519 and, in 1565, founded the Royal Exchange. Sir Thomas left proceeds in his will for the foundation of the college in his name, intended to make ‘new learning’ freely available to people living and working in London. The College, established in 1597, played a key part in the scientific revolution of the 17^th century, with early professors including Sir Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke, and John Taverner, and management of the College is jointly exercised by the City Corporation and the Worshipful Company of Mercers, acting through the Joint Grand Gresham Committee.

The 500^th anniversary of Sir Thomas Gresham’s birth was to be marked by a new biography by historian John Guy, the introduction of new types of lectures and one-off events focused on the theme of ‘new learning’. In addition, it was proposed that the City Corporation hosts a lecture followed by an early evening reception and small dinner to mark the anniversary, with it anticipated that the lecture would be live streamed to maximise the audience it reaches. The event would help to signify the City Corporation’s general commitment to the provision of education ranging from Gresham College, the City’s oldest institute of higher education, to the recently established group of City Academies.

Guests attending the lecture would include the members of Gresham College, representatives from supporting organisations such as the Royal Society, sponsors of the anniversary year, academics, representatives from the Museum of London, the Royal Exchange and the Mercers’ Company.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for a lecture and early evening reception in Spring 2019, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

This was to be a full Court event.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a lecture and early evening reception in Spring 2019, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(iii)   (iii) Guildhall Art Gallery: Private Views 2018

The Guildhall Art Gallery usually hosts private views ahead of major exhibitions opening to the public. Private views provide an opportunity to publicise an exhibition and highlight the City Corporation’s contribution to London’s cultural landscape to an influential audience of cultural, political, media and other stakeholders. They aim to foster constructive business relationships, draw attention to the City Corporation as a major player in London and the UK’s cultural offer and provide an opportunity to develop interest in Guildhall as a venue for private hire.

In 2018 two exhibitions were planned. The first, Sublime Symmetry, was to focus on the mathematical devices used in William de Morgan’s designs, and was particularly aimed at children and families, linking to Key Stage 2 in the primary school curriculum. The second, Children in Art, was to explore how childhood was represented in art over the course of the nineteenth century.

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts a private view to launch the start of each exhibition. Guests attending would include exhibition partners, exhibit lenders and funders, representatives from the media, industry professionals, City and London cultural and heritage providers, artists and historians with a connection to the exhibition.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for early evening private views, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

These were to be a full Court events.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for early evening private views, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(iv)    (iv) Industry and Parliament Trust 2018 Programme

Engagement with parliamentarians within the Palace of Westminster is an important aspect of the City Corporation’s parliamentary activity to highlight matters of interest to the City and its stakeholders. The significant advantage of holding meetings in the Palace of Westminster is that it offers straightforward and effective access for politicians to attend an event.

The Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) is an independent, non-partisan organisation that provides a platform for engagement between Parliament and UK business. IPT is supported by cross-party representation of senior parliamentarians. The two presidents of IPT are the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker.

The Remembrancer’s Office had previously worked with IPT to provide opportunities to discuss issues relevant to the City. Examples include meetings on financial services, culture and the creative sector, banking standards, and the City’s cultural offering; all chaired by relevant City Corporation Members or Officers.

It was proposed that in 2018 the Remembrancer’s Office collaborate with IPT on a joint programme of six meetings. This would facilitate discussion on matters of concern to the City between parliamentarians and City businesses and other organisations. Topics covered would relate to a wide range of City interests including Brexit and financial services, trust in business, fintech, green finance, policing, culture and innovation. Typically, the City Corporation would have a chairing or speaking slot and other Members with a relevant interest would be invited. Other participants would include policy makers and prominent business, academic and industry representatives. The hospitality cost would be shared equally with IPT.

The meetings would add to the City Corporation’s support for London as a world-leading hub for business and professional services, with it envisaged that most meetings would be breakfast meetings. It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for this series of meetings; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a series of six meetings hosted jointly with the IPT; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.