Agenda and draft minutes

It was moved by Deputy Lord, duly seconded and

RESOLVED – That Mark Greenburgh be elected Chairman for the meeting.

There were no matters relating to the work of the Committee.

Report by the Town Clerk.

The Sub Committee had before them the report by the Town Clerk on dispensation requests, along with 2 tabled late further applications received from Susan Pearson and Vivienne Littlechild. It was noted that the vast majority of the applications related to the Corporation’s housing governance review. 

The Sub Committee proceeded to discuss the applications, taking account of advice from the Comptroller and City Solicitor and also noting representations received from the Chairman of the Barbican Residential Committee and the Chairmen of the Barbican Association and Residents’ Consultation Committee.

Members were mindful of the legal prohibition on any participation by members in matters where there is a conflict of interests and the member has a DPI.  In those circumstances Parliament has provided that members must not participate unless one of the statutory grounds are met. The public perception of participation is a very relevant matter to be born in mind.

The Sub Committee also considered carefully the legitimate expectations of the relevant electorates in electing representatives to the Corporation and the ability of those representatives, who may share common interests with their electors, to nevertheless, make the electors voices heard.  Members reminded themselves that the prohibition would not, for example, apply to a member writing to a committee with a constituent’s views, on any matter.  It was also open to members to nominate another ward colleague or indeed any member of the Court of Common Council to speak on behalf of electors in circumstances where a DPI would preclude participation in any matter.

The Sub Committee considered whether to allow any application to vote in any matter before them.  Members concluded, that the very high threshold of allowing a member to vote even though they had a DPI, was not met in any of the cases before them.  The Sub Committee

There was no further urgent business.