Agenda item

(A) By Deputy Richard Regan, O.B.E.

“That John Ernest Edwards be appointed to the Markets Committee for the Ward of

Farringdon Within, in the room of Thomas Anderson (who is no longer on the Court), and also to the Planning and Transportation Committee, in the room of Karina Dostalova?”

For Decision

(B) By Deputy Michael Cassidy, C.B.E.

“That Dawn Linsey Wright be appointed to the Markets Committee and the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, for the Ward of Coleman Street, in the room of Stuart Fraser (who is no longer on the Court)?”

For Decision

(C) By Dominic Christian

To consider a Motion, submitted by Dominic Christian, in relation to a sport and physical activity strategy.

For Decision

(Pages X – X)

(A)      Resolved – That John Ernest Edwards be appointed to the Markets Committee for the Ward of Farringdon Within, in the room of Thomas Anderson (who is no longer on the Court), and also to the Planning and Transportation Committee, in the room of Karina Dostalova.

(B)     Resolved – That Dawn Linsey Wright be appointed to the Markets Committee and to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, for the Ward of Coleman Street, in the room of Stuart Fraser (who is no longer on the Court).

(C)     Motion– “That this Honourable Court welcomes the development of a Sport & Physical Activity Strategy for the City of London Corporation which will enhance the City’s contribution to London’s cultural and community life; build on the existing work of our open spaces, schools, and academies; and support our commitment to the health and wellbeing of City residents, workers, and visitors.

In guiding Officers as they draft the Corporation’s strategic vision for sport and physical activity, the Court believes that:

·         Sport inspires competitors to achieve the best they can, and celebrates both winning and taking part;

·         Sport and physical activity enables participants of all ages to live healthier more active lives;

·         Sport unifies society: it is the ultimate social inclusion with participants and spectators drawn together from all backgrounds, helping to develop more cohesive communities; 

·         Sport produces significant social return, for example by improving mental health and reducing crime, including diverting young people away from gang and knife crime;

·         Sport teaches fusion skills which enhance employability, such as teamwork and resilience;

·         Sport contributes to London’s global brand in offering a comprehensive attractive package to businesses and their staff in a way few other cities can;

·         Sport enhances the Corporation’s convening power by providing networking opportunities to bring people together informally.

Moreover, this Court notes the wide engagement of the City’s business community in sport as commercial partners, as well as supporting staff and community sport activities, using both to strengthen brand and build bridges with domestic and international customers and stakeholders.

It further notes the importance that the Mayor of London and agencies such as London & Partners place on sport, both in growing participation and in bringing more elite competitions to the capital.

This Court therefore commits the Corporation to develop a comprehensive and unified Sport & Physical Activity Strategy which:

a)     supports the development and improvement of our existing sport and physical activity facilities, including those in our open spaces, and their use for both widening participation and hosting elite competitions;

b)     fully involves the City’s schools and academies as part of their educational and co-curricular provision;

c)      supports London bids for international elite sport tournaments in accordance with Government, UK Sport and the Mayor of London’s priorities, including provision of facilities and hospitality both during bids and once an event has been successfully secured;

d)     as part of our regional strategy, provides appropriate support for hosting bids submitted by other parts of the United Kingdom (where they are not in competition with London);

e)     engages City residents and workers, as well as students in our schools and academies and residents in Corporation housing, in sport and physical activity programmes and events designed to increase participation and improve health and wellbeing;

f)       promotes diversity and inclusion in sport, including women and girls, disability, BAME and LGBTQ+ involvement; and

g)     works alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, & Sport; UK Sport; Sport England; the Sport & Recreation Alliance; London Sport; the Greater London Authority; London Councils; international and national sport federations; and local professional and amateur sports clubs.

In developing the new Strategy, this Court also requests:

              i.       the Policy and Resources Committee to put in place:

(a)   appropriate Member-level governance arrangements for strategic oversight of the Corporation’s sport activities and sport engagement; and,

(b)   being mindful of the ongoing Fundamental Review, appropriate resource allocation for sport, including drawing together existing resources into one identifiable budget;

             ii.      the Establishment Committee to ensure that adequate management and operational structures are in place to oversee the delivery of the Strategy.”

Dominic Christian spoke to introduce the Motion, following which Alderwoman Susan Langley, the seconder of the Motion, spoke in support. Several other Members also spoke to commend the Motion. The Chair of Policy, replying, took the opportunity to support the Motion and to outline the activity already being supported and the collaboration in place with others. She noted that a draft Strategy was currently being produced and that Members would have the opportunity to scrutinise it in the autumn, ensuring that appropriate resource and Member oversight was in place following the Fundamental Review.

Motion – That, pursuant to Standing Order 11(9), the Question be now put.

Upon the Motion being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be carried.

Upon the substantive Motion being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be carried.

Resolved– “That this Honourable Court welcomes the development of a Sport & Physical Activity Strategy for the City of London Corporation which will enhance the City’s contribution to London’s cultural and community life; build on the existing work of our open spaces, schools, and academies; and support our commitment to the health and wellbeing of City residents, workers, and visitors.

In guiding Officers as they draft the Corporation’s strategic vision for sport and physical activity, the Court believes that:

·         Sport inspires competitors to achieve the best they can, and celebrates both winning and taking part;

·         Sport and physical activity enables participants of all ages to live healthier more active lives;

·         Sport unifies society: it is the ultimate social inclusion with participants and spectators drawn together from all backgrounds, helping to develop more cohesive communities; 

·         Sport produces significant social return, for example by improving mental health and reducing crime, including diverting young people away from gang and knife crime;

·         Sport teaches fusion skills which enhance employability, such as teamwork and resilience;

·         Sport contributes to London’s global brand in offering a comprehensive attractive package to businesses and their staff in a way few other cities can;

·         Sport enhances the Corporation’s convening power by providing networking opportunities to bring people together informally.

Moreover, this Court notes the wide engagement of the City’s business community in sport as commercial partners, as well as supporting staff and community sport activities, using both to strengthen brand and build bridges with domestic and international customers and stakeholders.

It further notes the importance that the Mayor of London and agencies such as London & Partners place on sport, both in growing participation and in bringing more elite competitions to the capital.

This Court therefore commits the Corporation to develop a comprehensive and unified Sport & Physical Activity Strategy which:

a)     supports the development and improvement of our existing sport and physical activity facilities, including those in our open spaces, and their use for both widening participation and hosting elite competitions;

b)     fully involves the City’s schools and academies as part of their educational and co-curricular provision;

c)      supports London bids for international elite sport tournaments in accordance with Government, UK Sport and the Mayor of London’s priorities, including provision of facilities and hospitality both during bids and once an event has been successfully secured;

d)     as part of our regional strategy, provides appropriate support for hosting bids submitted by other parts of the United Kingdom (where they are not in competition with London);

e)     engages City residents and workers, as well as students in our schools and academies and residents in Corporation housing, in sport and physical activity programmes and events designed to increase participation and improve health and wellbeing;

f)       promotes diversity and inclusion in sport, including women and girls, disability, BAME and LGBTQ+ involvement; and

g)     works alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, & Sport; UK Sport; Sport England; the Sport & Recreation Alliance; London Sport; the Greater London Authority; London Councils; international and national sport federations; and local professional and amateur sports clubs.

In developing the new Strategy, this Court also requests:

              i. the Policy and Resources Committee to put in place:

(a)   appropriate Member-level governance arrangements for strategic oversight of the Corporation’s sport activities and sport engagement; and,

(b)   being mindful of the ongoing Fundamental Review, appropriate resource allocation for sport, including drawing together existing resources into one identifiable budget;

ii. the Establishment Committee to ensure that adequate management and operational structures are in place to oversee the delivery of the Strategy.