Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Nicholas Anstee and Alderman John Garbutt.

There were no declarations.

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 8 February 2022.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 8 February 2022.

RESOLVED: - That the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 8 February 2022 be approved as an accurate record

of the meeting.

The Chairman took the opportunity to congratulate Alderman Prem Goyal on his appointment as an advisor to the Hinduja Group. He also reported that a senior figure from the Hinduja Group would now be joining the Aldermen for lunch after their next meeting on 10 May 2022.

An Alderman raised an issue regarding those Common Councillors who had not been returned to Court following last week’s all-out elections. He recognised that those who had chosen not to stand for a further term were given advance notice that their Corporation IT facilities would be disconnected on the day before the election and that this email did also refer to the fact that similar action would be taken for those who were not re-elected. However, the Alderman made the point that a number of those who had lost their seats last week had done so unexpectedly and that the individuals concerned had not therefore made preparations or circulated their personal email/telephone details to those contacts that they intended to stay in touch with. Some had also been in the middle of undertaking work on behalf of their constituents and had found themselves unable to access previous correspondence, even to simply pass this on to one of their Ward colleagues. The Alderman went on to express his disappointment at this approach towards Councillors who had served in senior positions and those who may have served for many decades. He suggested that those who lost their seats unexpectedly should be given until the

Joint report of the Town Clerk, the Remembrancer and the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive, the Remembrancer and the Comptroller and City Solicitor regarding Aldermanic resignations under the 70-year convention.

RESOLVED – That the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen formally agree that:

i)              For the reasons set out within this report, the long-standing convention around the need to surrender office at the age of 70 e increased to age 75 with immediate effect and that the Aldermanic Undertakings be updated accordingly; and

ii)             The Town Clerk be instructed to establish a dedicated Working Party to consider future issues concerning Aldermanic Terms of Office/Tenure.

The Chairman to be heard.

The Chairman reported that the Court of Aldermen would be invited, later this morning, to commence the process for three Aldermanic elections to be held on 25^th/26^th May 2022 – these would be for the Wards of Cordwainer, Aldersgate and Cornhill.

Following the decision just taken regarding the 70-year convention, this would leave a remaining four Aldermanic elections to take place in 2022. It would now be for the four individuals concerned to consider their positions and to submit letters announcing their surrender of office to the Court of Aldermen in due course. The Chairman reported that all were, however, mindful of the collective wish of this Committee that all of these elections were concluded ahead of the Summer recess period. It was anticipated that the next scheduled meeting of the Court of Aldermen on 10 May 2022 would commence the process for at least one other Aldermanic election. If others did wish to commence the process for elections to be held in July, a further, special, meeting of the Court of Aldermen would need to be convened within the appropriate time frame.

In response to a question, the Chairman clarified that it was not necessary for Aldermen to be present at the election of their successors nor was it necessary for them to attend the Wardmotes for this purpose.

There were no questions.

Motion on Traffic Access – Court of Common Council, 21 April 2022

An Alderman commented that, as many of the Committee were already aware, it was his intention to submit a Motion on traffic access to Bank and the City generally to the next meeting of the Court of Common Council to be held on 21 April 2022. He reported that he had now drafted the terms of the motion and was seeking advice from the Comptroller and City Solicitor on the matter. Once this had been received, it was his intention to circulate the Motion to all Aldermen and he underlined that he would appreciate their support on the matter.

Alderman Alastair King – Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London

It was reported that Alderman Alastair King had been appointed as Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London in February, the Committee took the opportunity to congratulate him on this appointment.

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 8 Fenruary 2022.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 8 February 2022 and approved them as a correct record.

To note the minutes of the previous meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee meeting held on 2 March 2022.

The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee held on 2 March 2022.

To note the minutes of the previous meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee meeting held on 9 March 2022.

The Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub (General Purposes) Committee held on 9 March 2022.

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 8 February 2022.

Questions relating to diary events and guests joining the Court of Aldermen for lunch were raised.

The Committee took the opportunity to reflect upon the recent City-wide Common Council elections. The use of the Aldermen’s Court Room for future meetings of the Court of Aldermen was also discussed.