Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Sir William Russell (Chairman), The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, Alderman Nicholas Lyons, Alderman Robert Howard and Alderman Tim Levene.  

There were no declarations.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 10 October 2023.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 10 October 2023.

RESOLVED: - That the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 10 October 2023 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Chairman’s Congratulatory Remarks

The Chairman, on behalf of the Court of Aldermen, offered congratulations to Alderman Christopher Makin who had recently been made a Freeman of the Company of Communicators. He also congratulated Alderman Alastair King who had been appointed as a Trustee of the Royal Regiment of Scotland Trust as well as an Honorary Visiting Professor of Bayes Business School, City, University of London.

(a) Planning and Transportation Committee / Planning Applications Sub-Committee

To approve the appointment of two Aldermen to the Planning and Transportation Committee/ Planning Applications Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton and Alderwoman Martha Grekos.

(b) Freedom Applications Sub- Committee

To approve the appointment of an Alderman to the Freedom Applications Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton.

(c) Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee

To approve the appointment of an Alderman to the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton.

(d) City & Guilds of London Institute

To approve the appointment of an Alderman to the City & Guilds of London Institute for a period ending November 2024.

(e) Lord Mayor’s Show Board

To approve the appointment of the two new Sheriffs – Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, DBE and Alderman Bronek Masojada to the Lord Mayor’s Show Board.

The Committee formally considered and approved the following appointments:

RESOLVED: That: -

(a) Planning and Transportation Committee / Planning Applications Sub-Committee

Alderman Hughes-Penney and Alderman-Elect Pryke be appointed to the Planning and Transportation Committee/ Planning Applications Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton and Alderwoman Martha Grekos.

(b) Freedom Applications Sub- Committee

Alderman Robert Howard be appointed to the Freedom Applications Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton.

(c) Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee

Alderman Vincent Keaveny be appointed to the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee for the remainder of this civic year in the room of Sir David Wootton.

(d) City & Guilds of London Institute

Alderman Alastair King be appointed to the City & Guilds of London Institute for a period ending November 2024.

(e) Lord Mayor’s Show Board

The two new Sheriffs – Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, DBE and Alderman Bronek Masojada be appointed to the Lord Mayor’s Show Board.

Joint report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive and Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and Comptroller and City Solicitor outlining the outcomes of this summer’s Wardmote Livestream pilot and seeking views as to whether there was an appetite to pursue broader implementation.

The Deputy Town Clerk introduced the report highlighting that the pilot had been undertaken in response to a request from this Committee. Statistically, the pilot had not appeared to provide value for money in terms of viewing figures for the live event or subsequent voter turnout. The Committee were now therefore asked to consider whether and how to now proceed with this concept. The Town Clerk went on to highlight that, were the pilot to be rolled out for all, there were some logistical difficulties within certain Wardmote venues to note.

An Alderwoman stated that she did not think it financially or democratically prudent to roll out livestreaming for all Wardmotes and was therefore in favour of the recommended option of reflecting on alternative methods of engagement which might be more cost and resource effective instead. She went on to question the validity of the pilot itself stating that this conclusion could have reasonably been reached without this expenditure. She highlighted that, under statute, Wardmotes had to take place the day before polling day when the majority of postal voters would have already cast their votes. Also, in a business Ward such as Castle Baynard, many businesses still unfortunately failed to register or failed to take part in the election post registration and so would have little interest in a livestream.

The Alderwoman went on to refer to the data contained within the report stating that it was a false comparison to examine the turnout for Aldermanic elections in Castle Baynard with the other Wards listed. High turnouts were more commonplace in

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive proposing that the terms of reference of the Magistracy & Livery Sub-Committee be amended to bring the practice of electing the Chair and Deputy Chair into line with that used to elect Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Court of Common Council committees.

RESOLVED – That the Committee agree the proposed changes to the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee’s terms of reference.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services seeking support for the delivery of Safe Havens across the City of London Corporation buildings and estates.

The Committee were informed that the City’s Community Safety Partnership (the ‘Safer City Partnership’) had been working alongside the Safer Business Network in order to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls with this being one of the resultant initiatives of their work. Safe Havens (temporary shelters in which people could seek solace/assistance before continuing their journeys) had already been successfully introduced in other local authorities and the City Corporation were now also keen to introduce these in the Square Mile. Where there were suggestions that these be rolled out across the City’s own buildings, it was recognised that relevant training would need to be offered to security and reception staff, it was also recognised that, should Members be supportive of the initiative in general, further consultation would be needed internally to discuss any specific security and wider implications across the different buildings proposed. All of this would need to be satisfactorily concluded prior to any list of Safe Havens being publicised or the initiative being launched.

The Executive Director and Private Secretary to Lord Mayor stated that she looked forward to further conversations as to the practicalities and operation realities of the Mansion House being included within this.

An Alderman queried how the information as to available Safe Havens would be communicated with women and girls in the City in due course. Officers responded that these would be advertised through the City’s licensed premises and via the City’s Safer Business Network partners. Emails to City residents and businesses would also be sent with the scheme also featuring on the City Corporation’s public facing webpages. Those buildings identified

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

The Committee considered the award of the Annual Livery Cloth grant – a sum of £1,700.

The Town Clerk reported that it was customary for the Committee to consider the awarding of the Livery Cloth Grant at their December meeting each year and that, traditionally, this had been awarded to Providence Row, a relatively small charity helping homeless and vulnerable people in the City. The charity’s recent Progress Review detailing how the Court of Aldermen’s past funding had been put to good use had been included within the agenda pack for all to read.

An Alderman reported that she had recently taken up the invitation extended to all to visit the charity and had been very impressed with the positive work being undertaken here. She added that they were still very keen to welcome other Aldermen to visit the premises. It had also been suggested that a small group may like to go and help prepare and serve lunch one day to gain first hand experience of their activities.

Several Aldermen spoke in favour of awarding the grant to Providence Row once again. The Chairman queried why the amount awarded had not been revised upwards in recent years. Others also stated that it would be helpful to have some background to the Livery Cloth Grant going forward. The Chamberlain undertook to look into these matters and report back to the Committee at a future meeting with details of all grants awarded by the Court of Aldermen.

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

There were no questions.

Vote of Thanks – Staffing of Lord Mayor’s Show

An Aldermen stated that they wanted to make the unusual move of publicly and formally moving a Vote of Thanks to those staff who had been critical in the successful delivery of this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show and moved the following:

That the sincere gratitude of this Committee be extended to all those personnel involved in the organisation, planning and delivery of the Lord Mayor's Show weekend and Lord Mayor’s Banquet in the face of the particular logistical and public order challenges of this year.

The Show this year took place against a backdrop of increased activism and disruption to public events and coincided with one of the largest public marches to take place in central London. Despite a series of closures to the main underground lines serving the City of London on the day of the event, the route was once again lined with spectators which is testament to the enduring attraction of what remains one of the City of London’s key cultural assets. It is as a result of the meticulous planning and delivery of all those involved that the events were able to take place without incident.

The Committee wishes to record particular thanks to:

- the Pageantmaster Dominic Reid OBE for successfully delivering his 31st Show, and Laura Groutides in his Office for her tireless support;

- Commander Umer Khan OBE and T/Chief Supt William Duffy of the City of London Police for their extensive and diligent planning of the policing operation, and to their teams on the ground who made sure the Show, Remembrance Day and the Banquet were a great success;

- Richard Woolford MBE and the Resilience Team for co-ordinating the overall safety and security of the Show;

- the Environment Department, particularly Ian

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 10 October 2023.

The Committee considered and approved the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 10 October 2023.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor & Deputy Chief Executive.

The Committee considered a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor on the operation of the convention that Aldermen should retire or seek re-election after no more than six years in office. Following discussion, it was requested that a further report on the matter be brought to the next meeting of the Committee with options for clarifying the nature and interrelationships of the various conventions and expectations.

Joint report of The Town Clerk and Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee considered and approved a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller and City Solicitor on the Voluntary Hospital of St Bartholomew

Executive Director & Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Executive Director & Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor reviewing income generation in the 2022-23 financial year, providing a brief update on the implementation of the Mansion House commercial strategy, recommending future rates to be agreed for the 2024-25 financial year and highlighting other relevant issues.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee held on 27 September 2023.

The Committee received the minutes of the last meeting of the Magistracy and Livery Sub-Committee held on 27 September 2023.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Emanuel Hospital Management Sub-Committee held on 19 October 2023.

The Committee received the minutes of the last meeting of the Emanuel Hospital Management Sub-Committee held on 19 October 2023.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee of Aldermen to administer the Sir William Coxen Trust Fund held on 10 October 2023.

The Committee received the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee of Aldermen to administer the Sir William Coxen Trust Fund held on 10 October 2023.

Members of Aldermanic Strategy Group Two updated the Committee on their work regarding Internal Priorities.

There was also a brief update from a member of Aldermanic Strategy Group Three.

The Committee were updated on relevant key issues recently discussed at Corporation Committee meetings.

There were no questions raised in non-public session.

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration in non-public session.