Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from The Rt. Hon the Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell, Alderman Nicholas Anstee, Alderman David Graves, Alderman Timothy Hailes, Alderman Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC and Alderman Sir Alan Yarrow.

At this point in the proceedings, the Chairman congratulated Alderman Vincent Keaveny upon his recent election as the Lord Mayor for 2021/22. He also extended the Committee’s congratulations to Aldermen Alison Gowman and Nicholas Lyons upon them taking office as the Sheriffs for the year ensuing. The Chairman then commented on Aldermen Michael Mainelli and Alastair’s King involvement, on behalf of the Government, with a trade mission to Djibouti; and Alderman Michael Mainelli’s role on the Board of the Livery Companies Apprenticeship Scheme.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 14^th September 2021.

The Committee considered the public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 14 September 2021.

Alderman Goyal referred to his previous enquiry about access to the papers/minutes related to meetings of the Competitiveness Advisory Board notes and the Chairman advised that the matter would be raised, on his behalf, with the Chair of the Board.

With regards to item 3: Election Engagement Activities Update, the Chairman advised that the Policy and Resources Committee had been advised, last week, that the number of voters registering and the number of businesses registering to appoint voters were not as hoped. Work was underway to address this, but all Common Councillors and Aldermen were also encouraged to support the final push on registration, noting that the deadline for registration was 16 December 2021.

In response to a query about when a further update on registration data in individual Wards would be provided so Aldermen could support registration activities, the Town Clerk confirmed that he had asked that an update be provided to Members sooner rather than later. As to whether it would be possible to see a draft provisional Ward List before November, the Town Clerk undertook to take this back to the Electoral Services Team and confirmation be provided as soon as possible. It was acknowledged that whilst consideration of statutory requirements was important, there was a necessity to provide data to existing Common Councillors and Aldermen in good time ahead of the registration deadline.

In response to a query about GDPR, it was noted that a paper on the use of data provided for electoral services purposes had been drafted by the Elections Campaign Manager. The Town Clerk undertook to circulate this following the meeting.

RESOLVED: - That the public minutes of the last meeting

A joint report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive and the Comptroller and City Solicitor relative to an updated version of the Wardmote Book: the City Corporation’s technical manual for ward elections. 

The Committee received a joint report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive and the Comptroller and City Solicitor relative to the reviewed and updated Wardmote Book: the technical manual for Ward elections.

The Chairman advised Members that the report had been received by the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 14 October 2021 and the following points had been made:-

-       whilst the report had been presented to Members as an information item, Members felt that it was important that there were on-going opportunities for Members of the Court to debate the Wardmote Book.

-       three substantive policy points were raised, these being:-

(i)            in respect of page 5 of the Wardmote Book, at the Committee’s request Counsel’s opinion would shortly be requested by the Comptroller and City Solicitor on the issue of licenses and serviced offices;

(ii)           on the issue of eligibility to stand for Aldermanic elections, an Act of Common Council was now being progressed by the Comptroller and City Solicitor;

(iii)          as an Act of Common Council to address the issue of Aldermanic qualifications was to be progressed, it had been agreed that the issue of Representative Lord Mayors and their role at Wardmotes, as a mechanism to avoid conflicts of interest, also be dealt with in the Act of Common Council.

The Comptroller and City solicitor confirmed that the Court of Aldermen would be sighted on the drafting of the proposed Act of Common Council in due course. He also invited any further comments in respect of the drafting of the Wardmote Book.

With regards to the issue of “workforce” and how this was determined, Members were advised that this point had been clarified in the Wardmote Book but that there may need to be an evolutionary process to this aspect going forward.

A report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive relative to the proposed schedule of Aldermanic elections and the revised programme of Aldermanic meetings in 2022. (TO FOLLOW)

The Committee was due to consider a report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive relative to the proposed schedule of Aldermanic elections and a revised programme of Aldermanic meetings in 2022. The Chairman advised Members that the way forward in terms of the elections timetable was still being reviewed in order to maximise choices for the electorate and opportunities to enhance diversity amongst candidates. Consequently, the report would be considered at a future meeting.

To receive the 2021/2022 Shrieval Plan.

The Committee received the Shrieval Plan 2021/2022 which would be championed by Sheriff and Alderman Alison Gowman and Sheriff and Alderman Nicholas Lyons in 2021/2022. It was noted that the Plan outlined how the Sheriffs would support the Lord Mayor of the City of London, uphold the rule of law as custodians of the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) and advance the City’s engagement and influence across the three pillars of Community, Charity and Commerce during their term of Office.

Alderman Gowman referred to the Shrieval priorities as set out in the report and which would be brought together through three key pillars that would form the focus of Shrieval activity, building on the experience and expertise of the Sheriffs in order to contribute to a flourishing society, shape outstanding environments and support a thriving economy.

With reference to the Old Bailey Lunches, Alderman Gowman advised that the lunches would resume this week and other events were being planned, including a themed lunch (property orientated) on 18 November 2021. It was noted that the Sheriffs would work closely with the Lord Mayor to ensure that Covid-recovery activities were prioritised in collaboration with the Lord Mayor. Increasing use of the Old Bailey as an event space would also be progressed.

With regards to the number of Old Bailey lunches that would be held, Members were advised that the number would vary between three to four lunches per week to ensure that the Judges’ needs were taken into account and the lunches achieved maximum impact. This would result in a mixture of informal and formal luncheon arrangements so a broader range of guests, particularly younger guests, could best be accommodated.

The Chairman commended the Sheriffs and Officers in the formulation of the Shrieval Plan and, on behalf of the Committee, wished them

A report of the City Remembrancer relative to Privileged Status for 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

The Committee is asked to approve the recommendation and make recommendation to the Court of Aldermen thereon.

The Committee considered a report of the City Remembrancer setting out a case for conferring the status of a Privileged Corps of the City of London on 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

The Lord-Mayor Elect advised that (City of London) Field Hospital would be providing the Guard of Honour at the Lord Mayor’s Show 2021.

Resolved:- That –

(i)            The report be noted; and

(ii)           the Court of Aldermen be invited to endorse the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen’s recommendation that the status of a Privileged Corps of the City of London be conferred upon 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

There were no questions.

With the Chairman’s consent, the Committee considered the following items of urgent business:

Amendments to the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to amendments to the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee’s terms of reference. Members were advised that following changes to the meeting management/ access to meetings arrangements of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen, the Sub-Committee’s terms of reference had to be updated to make it clear that rights of access did not exist in respect of meetings of the Sub-Committee.

After considering of the proposed changes, an updated version of the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee’s terms of reference was AGREED.

Resolved:- That the Magistracy and Livery Sub-committee’s terms of reference be updated.

Global Investment Summit Dinner

Members took the opportunity to comment on the recent Global Investment summit dinner, which had well organised and a great success.

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, in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s Disclosure Arrangement (Standing Order 25), the public shall be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen have determined, having had due regard to the Disclosure Arrangement, that disclosure should not be permitted.

To approve the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 14^th September 2021.

The Committee considered the non- public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 14 September 2021.

RESOLVED: - That the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 14 September 2021 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

To note the non-public outstanding actions in respect of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen’s work programme.

The Committee considered the Non-Public Outstanding Actions List which had been updated since the last meeting on 14 September 2021.

Resolved: - That –

(i)     the Non-Public Outstanding Actions List be noted; and

(ii)    completed items be removed from the list.

To note the minutes of the last meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee held on 22^nd September 2021.

The Committee received the draft non-public minutes of the last meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee which took place on 22 September 2021.

Resolved:- That the draft non-public minutes of the last meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee, which took place on 22 September 2021, be noted.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor to be heard.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor provided an oral update for the Committee.

Resolved:- That the update be noted.

The City Remembrancer to be heard.

The City Remembrancer updated the Committee in respect of the Platinum Jubilee arrangements.

Resolved:- That the City Remembrancer’s update be noted.

The Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Show Ltd to be heard.

The Chair of the Lord Mayor’s show Ltd provided an update for the Committee in respect of the 2021 Lord Mayor’s Show.

Resolved:- That the  update be noted.

To note the lists of forthcoming events and hospitality to be managed by the Events Teams at Mansion House and Guildhall (Remembrancer’s Department).

The Committee received the lists of forthcoming events and hospitality to be managed by the Events Teams at Mansion House and Guildhall (Remembrancer’s Department).

Resolved:- That the lists of forthcoming events and hospitality to be managed by the Events Teams at Mansion House and Guildhall (Remembrancer’s Department) be noted.

There were no questions.

With the Chairman’s consent, three items of urgent business were considered by the Committee.