Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from these Members: Alderman Bronek Masojada, Suzanne Ornsby KC, Deborah Oliver, Judith Pleasance, Ian Seaton, Dawn Wright, Alderwoman Jeanette Newman, and Aaron D’Souza.

These Members sent Apologies and observed the meeting online: Caroline Haines, Jaspreet Hodgson, James St John Davis, Jason Groves.

Wendy Hyde declared that she was on the selection panel for Artworks discussed at item 4.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting of 16 September 2024.

RESOLVED, That the minutes of the meeting of 16 September 2024 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings incorporating two amendments to the meeting’s attendance as shown on the updated public-facing website.

To consider the report of the Head of Profession (Culture).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Profession (Culture) setting out the recommendations of the City Arts Initiative (CAI) that met on 3 October 2024, during which the CAI considered the following two proposals:

1. Court Building, Fleet Street Salisbury Square Development Artworks;

2. Bowyers Hall Blue Plaque Recommendation(s).

Members noted that the final text and poetry selection for the ground floor granite panels, integrated lighting and alternative interpretations will be brought back to the Committee for approval, and that the designs will also go through the planning process as well as the Capital Buildings Board (CBB) for final sign-off.

The Committee commended the panel for the good work completed.

Referencing section 7, the Committee noted (in response to a Member question) that any copyright issues would be dealt with at CBB level.

A Member commented that the original Blue Plaque application was in 2016, and asked whether any of the delay could be attributed to the Corporation. The meeting heard that the resources available to process such matters were not currently matched to the volume of work, and that the lack of resources is being closely examined.

RESOLVED, That the Committee approve:

1.     The artist concept and designs for the new court building at the Salisbury Square development; and

2.     The Bowyers Hall Blue Plaque (subject to any necessary additional permissions gained from Environmental Health, Planning, and Highways).

To receive the report of the Director of The London Archive and Head of Profession (Culture)

The Committee received the report of the Head of Profession (Culture) to be submitted for decision to the Policy & Resources Committee on 07 November 2024 on the need to support the development of a new Culture Strategy for the City of London Corporation.

The Committee noted that the Martin Review emphasised the importance of an independent Culture Strategy to maximise the City’s unique cultural assets, and that to begin the work immediately (before January 2025) a proposal is to be made for the allocation of £45,000 from the Policy and Resources Committee’s Policy Initiative Fund to enable key research, stakeholder consultation, analysis and the creation of a new Culture Strategy to include audience mapping and analysis.

The Committee noted that the new Culture Strategy would align with the City Corporation’s corporate priorities and ensure that the Square Mile remains a vibrant cultural destination for residents, workers and visitors.

The Committee noted that a full scope of work would be submitted to the Committee if the funds are granted.

A Member sought clarification on what resources are available within the Culture team, emphasising the importance of running workstreams in parallel rather than sequentially. The meeting noted the importance of a structured framework to deliver a coherent set of proposals.

A Member sought clarity on the £45K and how the amount was determined, also referencing section 22 in which it is suggested that the Committee may bid for further funds - noting the importance of Culture to the success of the City overall. The meeting heard that the sum was determined in line with what was realistic and adequate in the first instance.

Referencing section 7, a Member asked for more details on what constituted the Culture team. The meeting noted that the Culture team is the team responsible for Destination City

The Committee received the report of the Deputy Town Clerk setting out the application to the Policy and Resources Committee’s 2024/25 Policy Initiatives Fund for £34,400 to commission a piece of independent research into the City of London Corporation’s links to the historical trade in enslaved African people.

A Member asked whether an endpoint was envisaged, and whether there were any plans for what would be done with the information. The meeting heard that the work would endorse the work of the City and would ensure that the City has input and involvement in the ongoing research that was expected to be carried out with or without the City’s involvement. The meeting noted that a body of work already exists that will be supplemented with more specific information, and that once the research is completed it is expected that the City will decide where to take that research. 

A Member commented on the benefits of also highlighting abolitionist initiatives in the City.

The Committee agreed to discuss the budget allocation document during the Public session noting that budgetary allocations were routinely discussed in Public sessions, noting that any sensitive matters would be deferred to the non-Public session.

The Committee viewed a presentation on the budgetary allocations at the Corporation that included information on the funding sources of City Fund, City Estates, and City Bridge Foundation, noting also the £20.7M allocated to Culture that mostly comes from City Fund.

Members also noted these key assumptions agreed in 2024:

1. Increase for Adult & Children’s social care pressures and staff strengthening for HR and internal controls;
2. 2% inflation uplift in local risk budgets;
3. No additional resources to be agreed (prioritisation to be made within overall envelopes);
4. No new bids processes for City Fund/City Estates; and
5. Continued work on workstreams to improve operational property utilisation and income generation.

Members noted the recent challenging budget position for Sculpture in the City (SITC), noting that the Committee, Environment and external partners had supported the SITC programme for the current year.

A Member sought clarity on the difference between local and central risk. The meeting heard that local risk references expenditure that is wholly within the responsibility of a Chief Officer, and central risk references the demand-led element of expenditure rendering it more challenging to control and the relevant Chief Officer is not required to make good any deficit.

A Member asked for clarity on how the Committee might influence the budget-setting process. The meeting heard that the priorities of the relevant Chief Officer and the Committee would ordinarily be expected to map onto each other so that resources could be prioritised accordingly – but that the CHL Committee currently has more than one Chief Officer which complicates the situation. The meeting heard that the absence of a defined cultural

In response to Member questions on the progress in recruiting to the Culture Director post, the meeting noted that once a clearer team structure was in place the recruitment process would get under way in early 2025.

On the plans to draft a definition of Culture, the meeting noted that the strategy and the definition would be worked out in tandem.

There was no other business.

MOTION, that – under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED, that – under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 September 2024.

The Board considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of 16 September 2024

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment.