Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Simon Duckworth (Deputy Chairman), Alderman Peter Estlin, Christopher Hayward and James Tumbridge.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 September 2018.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 3 September 2018 be approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

·         A Member updated the Sub-Committee on his work concerning the learning loss and hunger of children from low socio-economic backgrounds over the Summer holidays. Members requested that a report of the Town Clerk be brought to the Sub Committee swiftly to assess how the City Corporation could tackle this issue.

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Economic Development providing Members with highlights of the key activity undertaken by the Economic Development Office (EDO) in late August and September 2018.

A Member asked for more information to be included in the infographics on the legal sector (to complement the research on how the cyber sector adds to London’s strengths) and that the ‘Trust’ work should also be included.

RESOLVED, that:-

·         The report be noted.

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Communications updating Members on key elements of the Corporate Affairs team’s activity in support of the City Corporation’s external political engagement and corporate communicated within the period of 3 – 25 September 2018.

A Member asked whether an analysis could be made of the invitation lists and attendance of City Corporation’s party conference dinners, the Policy & Resources Committee dinner and the Brussels reception to pick up any overlaps. The Sub-Committee heard how all involved officers were aware that the three events mentioned would be taking place very close together this year, for reasons pertaining to the current political context and speakers’ availability. Attendance at all three events were higher than in previous years and have received very positive feedback. Whilst there was some duplication across the events at Member and Officer level, the crossover of external stakeholders was kept to a minimum.

The Chairman asked for Members of the Sub-Committee to give feedback on party conference participation and comments were made as follows:

·         The Sub-Committee congratulated the Head of Corporate Affairs and her team for successfully organising the party conferences;

·         There was a request for an evaluation of the conferences and the value of the City Corporation being represented there;

·         That a consolidated approach would be taken to join up reports following each party conference;

·         That it was useful to build the relationship between the City Corporation and UK Finance;

·         That thought should be given for a London focused event in future years;

·         That briefings in future years could be more dynamic, for example to be added to, to reflect any announcements by Ministers that are made whilst at conference;

·         That briefings for Members include a list of fringe events and the key points to raise at each event.

The Director

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Remembrancer updating Members on the main elements of the Parliamentary Team’s activity in support of the City Corporation’s political and parliamentary engagement.

A discussion ensued concerning whether the City Corporation should take the position that the electoral rights currently held by EU citizens will not change after the UK’s withdrawal. Members were supportive of taking this position but some Members questioned the need for the City Corporation to take an official corporate position on it. After some discussion, it was agreed that our position should align with that of the Local Government Association and London Councils.

The Policy Chairman also took the opportunity to remind the Remembrancer that London Councils wished to have a conversation about the Air Quality Bill.

RESOLVED, that:-

·         The report be noted.

Report of the Director of Communications.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Communications presenting the theme of the 2018/19 Mayoral Programme, ‘Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today’.

Members were supportive of the paper and noted that it had been received at the Policy and Resources Committee. One Member commented that reducing ATMs in replace of digital alternatives was not inclusive but it was confirmed that the theme intended to ensure that digital alternatives were accessible to all.

RESOLVED, that:-

·         The report be noted.

Report of the Remembrancer and the Director of Communications.

The Sub Committee considered a joint report of the Remembrancer and the Director of Communications concerning the current provision of sports engagement made across the City Corporation and a proposal for a coordinating policy resource to maximise utility of existing sports-related activity.

The Policy Chairman commended the fact that the report brought together the City Corporation’s sport-related engagement and underlined that the purpose of the proposed post would be to gather this all together further.

A Member proposed an amendment to the report’s recommendation, which was tabled before Members. This was seconded and then Members of the Sub Committee made the following points in favour of the amended recommendations:

·         Work had not been progressed quickly enough, considering the Sub Committee had made a resolution in December 2017 on this work;

·         The strategic oversight in the report laid out a horizontal view, but not strategic;

·         The proposed post should be at a more senior level to provide strategic leadership;

·         The report should have included the resolution from the Sub Committee in December 2017;

·         A Member reported that the consultant who had been engaged in this work would have the information required at hand and so a report outlining this should be submitted to the next meeting of the Sub Committee;

·         There should be a focus on engaging the City Corporation’s cultural and educational resources in support of sporting activities in London;

·         The City Corporation had given a vast amount of financial support to areas such as culture, and there was backing from a small additional amount to be funded on sport engagement.

Other points were made to add to or amend the proposed amended recommendations:

·         It would not be possible for this work to be undertaken by the next meeting and an extension was required;

·         The City Corporation has other priorities

There were no questions.

The following item of urgent business were raised –

Attracting Talent

The Sub-Committee received a resolution of the Establishment Committee outlining that Committee’s discussion regarding the Attracting Talent Programme, which is part of the HR Transformation Project. The Chairman of the Establishment Committee outlined TMP’s findings on the branding of the City Corporation as an employer.

Members were reassured that this work was collaborative with the Director of Communications involved.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

There was one question.  

There was one item of urgent business.