Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, Alderman Robert Howard, and Alderman Tim Levene.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Chair for the year ensuing, in accordance with The Court of Aldermen’s Standing Orders 11 and 12.

Nominations received: Alderman Sir William Russell

In accordance with Standing Orders No.11 and 12, the Committee elected its Chairman for 2025/26.

RESOLVED: – that, as the only Alderman in nomination, Alderman Sir William Russell be elected as Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen for the ensuing civic year (2025/26).

To elect a Deputy Chair for the year ensuing, in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s Standing Orders 14 and 16.

Nominations received: Alderman Sir Charles Bowman.

In accordance with Standing Orders No.14 and 16, the Committee elected its Deputy Chairman for 2025/26.

RESOLVED – that, as the only Alderman in nomination, Alderman Sir Charles Bowman be elected as Deputy Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen for the ensuing year (2025/26).

To approve the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 13 May 2025.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 13 May 2025.

RESOLVED: - That the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 13 May 2025 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Chairman’s Congratulatory Remarks

The Chairman reported that Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli had been awarded the Order Pro Merito Melitensi and the Silver Order of Merit by the Knights of Malta. He had also been selected to Chair the International Students Taskforce for the Chartered Association of Business Schools, launched back in May, and was recently awarded Honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators.

Next, the Chairman reported Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney has been appointed Chair of the CityUK Business Council

The Chairman offered congratulations to Alderman Prem Goyal CBE,on his recent appointment by His Majesty the King as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for public service

Lastly, congratulations were offered to Alderman Sir Nicholas Lyons, who had been appointed as Master Merchant Taylor.

Report of the Executive Director for Innovation and Growth.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Innovation and Growth, concerning the impact of the City Corporation’s work In support of UK-based Financial and Professional Services (FPS) between April 2025 and June 2025. Following the introduction of the report, the Committee were invited to ask questions and make comments, as follows: -

A query was put as to the recruitment process referred to in paragraph 48. It was explained that this was for the US Managing Director, which would be a Member-led recruitment.

An Alderman noted the references to ESG and sustainable finance, and question how this had flexed in the last three to six months. The response was that there had been a significant shift in the US, with sentiment, capital, and use of language being carefully being monitored.  

Concerning security defence resilience, owing to the elapse of time when producing the report this had not been captured, but it was acknowledged that this was beginning to shift. There could be some interesting workstreams in this area, such as in pensions, and it also linked with ESG.

It was asked what Aldermen could do with the report and how they could contribute to Innovation and Growth. The response was the most helpful document to share the annual review with electors and stakeholders as this was the most accessible, but perhaps there was a more strategic approach that could be taken with communications. With regards to contributions from Aldermen, especially for the events, Innovation and Growth tended to liaise first with Lead Members, who then might bring in other Elected Members whose background or expertise might be helpful in contributing to the success of the event.

An Alderman noted that there were agencies such as CityUK, CBI and CMIT who were pushing their own FPS priorities

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk, concerning details of decisions taken under urgency procedures between Committee meetings.

RESOLVED: - That the report be received and its contents noted.

An Alderwoman raised a question in relation to shrievalty chains and sheriffs-elect requesting contributions to the cost of the chain, and whether there should be a proposal for shrievalty chains to be passed down, with only the badges being retained once a sheriff has completed their term of office. The Committee discussed this matter. Points raised included that there were mixed feelings across the Livery with regards to contributing to the shrievalty chains, which was ultimately a personal choice; that some shrievalty chains had been passed down; and being conscious of a perception issue.

There was one item of public other business. The Chairman reported that Alderman Prem Goyal CBE had stepped down from The Emanuel Hospital Management Sub (Court of Aldermen) Committee. He requested that Members consider whether they wish to express an interest in the vacancy, which would appoint at the Committee’s next meeting.

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 13 May 2025.

The Committee considered and approved the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 13 May 2025.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk, concerning the approval of a Protocol for the Illumination of Mansion House.

The Lord Mayor to be heard.

The Committee heard a verbal update from the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor, Alderman Alastair King DL, concerning the FPS Dinner.

Questions were then asked of the Executive Director of Innovation & Growth.

Report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director of Property.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director of Property, concerning the future disposal strategy of 1 Queen Victoria Street (Magistrates’ Court) and Mayor’s & City Court, Guildhall.

Joint report of the Chamberlain, the Town Clerk and the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain, the Town Clerk, and the Remembrancer, concerning the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the Committee in 2024/25 with the final approved budget for the year. 

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk, concerning details of decisions taken under urgency procedures between Committee meetings.

The respective Chairs of each Strategy Group took the opportunity to update the Committee on progress against their objectives for 2025/26.

There were several matters concerning key committee issues raised.

There were no questions.

There were three items of non-public other business.