Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Aldermen Nicholas Anstee, John Garbutt, Susan Langley and William Russell.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 19^th October 2021.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 19^th October 2021.

The Chairman then took the opportunity to congratulate Alderman Gregory Jones on becoming a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at St Stephen’s House, University of Oxford.

Matters Arising

Electoral Registration and deadline for entry onto the ward Lists All Aldermen were encouraged to profile the registration period and encourage business voters and residents to submit their registration requests in good time ahead of close of play on 16^th December 2021. In response to a question regarding registration levels to date, the Town Clerk confirmed that the data suggested that we were ahead of where we were last year. With regards to non-responder lists which had been provided to each Member, concerns were expressed regarding the data which was significantly out of date and it this ultimately hampered all efforts to enhance registration, particularly amongst City businesses.

A query was raised regarding registration by a business even though the premises was currently vacated due to refurbishment. The Comptroller and City Solicitor advised that if people could demonstrate that their principle place of work (irrelevant of work from home) was in the City, registration was permitted.

Draft Bill for an Act of Common Council

It was noted that the draft Bill, which had been circulated by the Town Clerk ahead of the meeting, would be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee on 16^th December 2021 and thereafter submitted to the Court of Common Council in January for it’s first and second readings. As Members were aware, the Bill would address both the issue of eligibility to be an Alderman and also enhance the number of Aldermen who could preside over Aldermanic elections in place of the Lord Mayor, as

Maggie Berry OBE (Director, The Heart of the City) to be heard.

Maggie Berry (Director, Heart of the City) provided an update for the Committee on the current priorities for Heart of the City.

Members were advised about Heart of the City’s new climate action course for small and medium sized business (SMEs) operating in the Square Mile, free to SMEs and funded by the City of London Corporation. Members were advised that 69% of SMEs did not know how to measure their carbon footprint so there was a vital role to be played in supporting SME’s to address what they are doing to mitigate climate change. This included the support of large City-based businesses to help the SME community and supply chains to achieve the net zero target. It was noted that Climate for SMEs: 4 Steps to Action was intended to get SMEs ready to start their net zero journey in four modules with workshops and insight sessions introducing them to sustainability and climate change experts to guide them so they could develop a net zero action plan and make a commitment to being net zero by 2040. Businesses with less than 250 employees that were based in or had substantial operations in the City of London were eligible to sign up to the course. Members were advised that information about the climate course was available to share online at https://theheartofthecity.com/spread-the-word/ and applications to join the course could be made via theheartofthecity.com. 

In response to a query about the number of SMEs that were signed up, Ms Berry commented that details could be circulated after the meeting. It was noted that some SMEs had signed up but fell into the category of not being located in the City but having more than 50% of their operations in the City. Having outlined the SME outreach activity that had already been

To consider the appointment of Alderman and Sheriff Nicholas Lyons to serve on the Policy and Resources Committee.

The Committee considered the appointment of Alderman and Sheriff Nicholas Lyons to serve on the Policy and Resources Committee.

Resolved:- That Alderman and Sheriff Nicholas Lyons to serve on the Policy and Resources Committee henceforth.

A report of the Town Clerk relative to action taken in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s urgency procedures since the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen on 19^th October 2021.

The Committee received a report of action taken by the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Chairman of the Court of Aldermen, in accordance with Standing Order No. 46 (Court of Aldermen), relative to an extension to the waiver previously issued by the Court of Aldermen to enable Livery Companies and Guilds to conduct their business on a virtual basis until 31 March 2022.

It was noted that in relation to this matter an item had been placed on the agenda at item 16. However, the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee would be reviewing the position at its next meeting on 16^th December 2021 and thereafter the General Purposes Committee would consider future guidance to the Livery and Guilds in respect of the conduct of their business beyond 31 March 2022.

Resolved:- That –

(i)            the report of action taken be noted; and

(ii)           the Committee note that the longer-term position in respect of the conduct of Livery Company and Guild business beyond 31^st March 2022 shall be considered at the next meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen on 8^th February 2022.

A report of the Town Clerk relative to action taken since the last meeting in respect of the Court of Aldermen’s approval of a draft Supplemental Charter for the Worshipful Company of Dyers.

The Committee received a report of action taken by the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee, and the Chairman of the Court of Aldermen, in accordance with Standing Order No. 46 (Court of Aldermen), relative to approval of a Supplemental Charter and a Schedule to the Supplemental Charter for the Worshipful Company of Dyers.

Resolved:- That the report of action taken be noted.

There were no questions.

To appoint three Aldermen to serve on the Aldermanic Deputation (Mayoral and Shrieval Expenses) for 2022/23.

In 2021/2022 Aldermen Sir David Wootton, Sir Andrew Parmley and the late Sir Roger Gifford served on the Deputation.

The Committee considered appointments to the Mayoral and Shrieval Expenses – Aldermanic Deputation for 2022/2023.

Resolved:- That Alderman Sir David Wootton (Chairman, General Purposes Committee of Aldermen), Alderman William Russell (Deputy Chairman, General Purposes Committee of Aldermen) and Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley (Chairman, Nominations Committee of Aldermen) be appointed to serve on the Mayoral and Shrieval Expenses – Aldermanic Deputation for 2022/2023.

To award the annual Livery Cloth grant (£1,700).

The Committee considered the award of the annual Livery Cloth grant.

Resolved:- That the annual Livery Cloth grant of £1,700 be awarded to Providence Row.

The Chairman to be heard.

The Chairman sought the views of the Committee in respect of its future meeting arrangements, specifically whether Members wished to continue the current practice of holding public meetings of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Court of Aldermen on a hybrid basis (with physical or virtual participation by Members).   Those present expressed support for a continuation of the current arrangements, as provided for in the Court of Aldermen’s Standing Orders.

Resolved:- That, following a review by the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen, public meetings of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Court of Aldermen shall continue to operate on a hybrid basis with either physical or virtual participation by Members.  

There was no other business.

MOTION - 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.

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 19^th October 2021.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 19^th October 2021.

Resolved:- That the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 19^th October 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 19^th October 2021.

Resolved:- That –

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

(ii)    that completed items be removed from the list.

The Committee is asked to consider the guidance issued to Livery Companies and Guilds in April 2020 in response to Covid-19 and the conduct of business on a virtual basis.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee would review the issue of conduct of virtual business at its next meeting on 16^th December 2021 and thereafter the General Purposes Committee would consider future guidance to the Livery and Guilds in respect of the conduct of their business beyond 31 March 2022.

NOTED.

There were no questions.

With the Chairman’s consent, one item of urgent business was considered whilst the public were excluded.

A confidential report of the Executive Director, Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor relative to proposals for the organisational design of the Office of the Lord Mayor and Mansion House. 

The Committee considered and approved a confidential report of the Executive Director, Private secretary to the Lord Mayor relative to proposals for the organisational design of the Office of the Lord Mayor and Mansion House.

Resolved:- That the report be approved.