Agenda item

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications concerning a clear and proportionate strategy on sports engagement.

The Director of Communications reassured Members that the report met the points raised from the minutes of the October meeting of this Sub-Committee.

Members were glad to see progress in this area but expressed that, on the whole, they had expected more funding for activation than requested in the report. Other Members also commented that sport was a key part of the work of Open Spaces Committee and Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee. Members were reminded that the terms of reference of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee had recently been amended to include specific reference to “oversight and governance of Sport Engagement (with power to act)” and so this Sub-Committee should retain oversight of this work.

However, Members asked the Town Clerk to further consider where the right “home” for this would be at officer level, with some Members concerned at the level of seniority of the proposed post.

Members, also, requested that reference be made in future reports on the amount of current spending on sport. A couple of Members expressed concern that the paper did not present a strategy nor encompassed all the work that was being undertaken across the organisation.

One Member commented on a concern that the Resource Allocation Sub Committee would shortly be considering medium term financial priorities, and any additional funding on sport engagement should be considered as part of this. A longer-term view would need to be considered, in order to avoid drawing down on contingencies.

The Remembrancer confirmed that he had looked at a forward plan of potential hospitality opportunities concerning sport and would be reporting this to the Hospitality Working Party in due course.

A Member observed that the Freedom of the City of London would be an appropriate mechanism and opportunity for the City Corporation to display soft power and show its support for sport.

Members asked the Town Clerk to consider how to ensure that the sports engagement work remain under constant review, either by introducing standing items on the agenda or through the outstanding actions report.

RESOLVED, that:

·         The new process for enhancing sport engagement be approved, subject to the Town Clerk’s consideration on where the role should sit and if extra funding might be needed.