Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain presenting the annual Equality and Diversity Monitoring Survey. The Chairman introduced the item and gave some context around the survey before the Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court introduced the report.

The Committee discussed the methods behind undertaking the survey and recommended that further steps be taken to separate the survey from the assessment process, and strengthen confidentiality of the survey, in order to increase confidence and encourage a fuller response from Freemen. The Committee also advised that the Chamberlain’s Court consult with the Communications team on the presentation and style of the survey template.

Members then discussed how the Committee could increase equality and diversity. Members broadly felt that encouragement was preferable to enforcement, and that encouragement of the Livery Companies was likely to be the most productive route. Whilst Members noted that some Livery Companies had made commendable efforts to increase diversity, others needed to do more. The City of London Corporation should also lead by example if it was to encourage and recognise the efforts of the Livery Companies.

The Committee then discussed the balance between encouragement and engineering that might be appropriate and how effective different methods might be in practice, using the Royal Honours system as a comparison of policy-driven process. Members recognised that without the City of London Corporation being proactive, things were unlikely to change. Whilst the City of London Corporation had little control over the Livery Companies, Members noted that direct action to influence them had been effective on occasions in the past. Furthermore, newer Livery Companies were more likely to be receptive.

Arising from the discussion, Members agreed that active encouragement and monitoring would be appropriate, alongside City of London Corporation initiatives such as the 100 Women campaign. The Corporation should also try to make more use of the data available and focus on opportunities to influence Livery Companies, such as the Guild of Young Freemen, Livery Committee, Corporation and Livery-sponsored schools, Clerks Associations and through the Mayoralty, with particular focus on the newer/modern Livery Companies,  highlighting and praising those Companies who had made notable efforts to improve their diversity.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.