Agenda item

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Tom Hoffman, M.B.E., Chief Commoner)

18 September 2019

Applications for Hospitality

(a)          150^th Anniversary of United Synagogue

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception to mark the 150^th anniversary in 2020 of the Jewish United Synagogues Act which formally established the United Synagogue as the union of British Orthodox Jewish synagogues. There is a long association between the City and the Jewish community dating back to shortly after the Norman Conquest. The United Synagogue, which began with three synagogues in the City of London, remained the largest UK Jewish synagogue body and the London Metropolitan Archives held one of the most important collections of Jewish archives in the country.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the United Synagogue with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the United Synagogue with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(b)         101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment Reception 

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception following a parade at Guildhall to mark the return of the 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance and Search) to London. The Regiment had a long and distinguished history, as well as a close connection with the City of London.  In 1997 the then Lord Mayor, Sir Richard Nichols, granted permission for the Regiment to change its title to 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) to reflect its links with the City. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception following a Parade in Guildhall Yard in Summer 2020 with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception following a Parade in Guildhall Yard in Summer 2020 with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(c)          The Enchanted Interior exhibition private view

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a private view to mark the opening of the first of Guildhall Art Gallery’s major exhibitions for 2020, The Enchanted Interior, which was to be on display from 13^th March to 14^th June.  The exhibition was to explore female empowerment during the 19^th century, with a focus on Pre-Raphaelite and orientalist artists, as well as contemporary artworks by female artists to offer a current perspective.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening private view to mark the opening of the exhibition with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening private view to mark the opening of the exhibition with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(d)          Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering lunch

It was proposed that a lunch be hosted by the City Corporation the day prior to the award ceremony for The Queen Elizabeth Prize. The Prize, first given in 2013, was awarded for ground-breaking innovation in engineering, supported by a group of leading British and international manufacturing companies, and had received the personal endorsement of Her Majesty The Queen, who was to present the 2019 Prize at Buckingham Palace.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a lunch with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the cost to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters. 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a lunch with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the cost to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.