Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Mark Boleat, Martin Farr, Vivienne Littlechild, Sheriff & Deputy Wendy Mead, Barbara Newman, Deputy Richard Regan, Delis Regis, and Alderman Fiona Woolf.

The Chairman wished to declare an interest in respect of the City Arts Trust and the Board of Governors of the Museum of London as he had recently been appointed to both bodies.

Deputy Michael Welbank and Julian Malins declared also an interest as they were both members of the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

To approve the public minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2012 were approved.

Matters Arising:-

Spitalfields Music – Item 15

It was noted that Spitalfields Music had not come back to the Committee on the suggestion that a representative of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee should sit on the board of their organisation but that proposals for strengthening ties meant that this was no longer necessary.

Screen at the base of The Monument – Item 7

The City Surveyor advised that an email had been sent to all Members of the Committee informing them of the latest developments relative to a screen being placed at the base of The Monument.

Ten Keats Grove – Item 13

In response to a Members question the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries informed Members that, determining the actual cost of running the library was an on-going process. He further advised that there would be an increased income through the autumn and winter months as the new events space came online.

Guildhall Bookshop (future plans) – Item 16

The Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries informed Members that a modest bookshop was being developed in Guildhall Library and the Chairman queried whether notifications could be sent to Members when interesting items were published and made available through the bookshop.

In response to a Member’s query, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries advised that his department was in the process of establishing the fees for internal and external use of the old Bookshop (now called Pepys’ Room) and further advised that the Revenue Outturn report – Item 7 on the agenda – highlighted some investment to help redevelop it as a more flexible space.

Report of the Town Clerk on behalf of the Post Implementation Governance Review Working Party (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk, prepared on behalf of the Post Implementation Working Group which sought feedback and comments from Members on the governance arrangements introduced in March 2011 and the impact they may have had, if any, on the operation of the Committee.

It was noted that Members felt the Museum of London and Spitalfields Music should be added to their list of responsibilities.

In response to a Member’s question, the Chairman noted that the new Members’ Cultural Strategy Group would enable the Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Committee to meet with the Chairmen of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Barbican Centre Board to discuss how best the three committees could work together.

The Chairman advised Members should pass all feedback and comments to the Town Clerk for consideration in the review and highlighted that the day of the meeting was the final deadline for such comments.

RESOLVED – That the feedback and comments be noted and fed back to the Town Clerk for consideration.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Private Secretary of Mansion House which presented the case for a City of London Tartan which would be used for gifts for 2012-13.

Members raised a number of concerns in relation to the City Corporation having its own tartan relating to costing, City heritage and registration.

Further to the discussion, it was

RESOLVED– That the Tartan registration be not endorsed by the Committee as the City of London Tartan.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

Please note that the appendix to this item is confidential.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which sought approval of the City Arts Initiative installations: the Robert Hooke Bell and a Greater London Authority (GLA) proposal.  Members were also provided information on the Great St Helen’s Sculpture Space and Red House.

In relation to the Red House, the Town Clerk sought Members approval to delegate authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with Chairman and Deputy Chairman to approve the location of the art once a site had been identified.

Members were also asked to give approval to three additional installations as part of the GLA proposal.

RESOLVED: - That –

(i)            the GLA application be approved subject to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman giving their approval to the art installations after pictorial submissions;

(ii)           further information be provided on the Robert Hooke Bell; and

(iii)          the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman be granted delegated authority to approve the Red House installation.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which compared the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the Committee in 2011/12 with the final agreed budget for the year.

RECEIVED.

Report of the City Surveyor (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor briefing Members on the horse drawn carriages that were used in the Lord Mayor’s Show, which were still owned by the City of London and were the responsibility of this Committee.

In response to a Member’s query regarding two disused carriages that had been in storage for some time, the City Surveyor advised that the instruction to sell the carriages still stood.  However, due to the relative lack of desirability of the two carriages in question, and the economic downturn this was taking more time than might have been expected.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which sought Members’ approval of the creation and launch of a visitor trail in the City which would provide a half day or whole day dwell time opportunity and clearly signify that the City positively welcomes visitors.

The Chairman noted that this was an excellent idea and welcomed the report.

Members queried whether metal plaques could be placed in the pavement around the City and whether the trail might be named ‘Diamond Jubilee Trail’ to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year.  The Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries advised that such an idea would be investigated.

RESOLVED: - That –

(i)            the creation of a Phase 1 City Visitor Trail extending from the City Information Centre to Tower Bridge for launch on 1 April 2013 be approved; and

(ii)           further reports on the Phase 2 development proposals for the City Visitor Trail be brought to the Committee.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (copy attached).

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which sought approval of a new version of the City’s Cultural Strategy, to take effect from the end of the Olympic/Paralympic Games period.

The Committee felt it was appropriate that the Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee should be a signatory of the new Cultural Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be approved subject to the comments made being incorporated.

Verbal update by the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Committee received a verbal update of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which provided an update on the Guildhall Art Gallery Summer Exhibitions.

Butcher Baker Candlestick Maker

The Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries informed Members that the exhibition had received loans from 75 Livery Companies and that around 150 items had been donated for the purposes of the exhibition. He added that the Princess Royal was very impressed when she attended a private visit and that in total there had been 4,700 people visit the Guildhall Art Gallery over a 2 day period.

Sport and Art

The Director informed Members that a Sport and Art competition had been held as an adjunct to the Olympics every four years since 2000 celebrating ‘the creative and artistic strength that sport can inspire” and that the winners would be exhibited in the Roman Amphitheatre from 21 July – 15 August.  He added that the City Corporation was providing staff support for the event but that the other costs were borne by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and informed Members that an opening reception would be held at which it was hoped the President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, would be present.

The Chairman wished to express his gratitude for the hard work of City Corporation staff that had gone into organising the exhibitions, particularly, the royal visit.

Illumination of Guildhall Art Gallery

The Director informed Members that the new black lettering for the Art Gallery signage was in place above the Gallery building and that the new banners would be in place shortly.

In response to a request by the Chairman, the Director indicated that he would provide clarification to the Committee on the illuminated signage at Guildhall Art Gallery prior to its next meeting.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which informed Members of the City of London Festival’s Winter Free Events Programme 2012, comprising eleven concerts whose overall attendance figures registered a 12% increase on the previous year.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries (copy attached).

The Committee received a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries which provided details of footfall and sales for the year 2011/12 and showed a marked increase in both areas.

The Chairman noted the hard work of all staff at the City Information Centre.

RECEIVED.

Prince Henry’s Room

In response to a Member’s question, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries advised that the consultation that was looking at future uses for Prince Henry’s Room was still in progress, but added that he would look at what could be done to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of Prince Henry’s death on 6 November 2012.

Celebrate the City

The Chairman congratulated the Director and his team for their excellent organisation of events following the unexpected withdrawal of the professional event organisers and suggested that Members of the Committee should be asked for their assistance if such a situation were to arise again in order to make best use of Members’ connections.

Cartmarking

The Chairman queried whether, given the considerable lack of response to his correspondence with the Cartmarkers, the Committee should amend its terms of reference to no longer include responsibility for Cartmarking. In response, the Town Clerk indicated that the matter would be taken up personally and that clarification as to whether the Committee was legally accountable for the Cartmaking would be given. 

St Helen’s Exhibition

Members were encouraged to visit the new Great St Helen’s Sculpture Space which had recently opened to the public hosting temporary exhibitions of world class public art and it was noted that this was a magnificent contribution to the City’s Art. 

Butcher, Baker Candlestick Maker & Celebrate the City Leaflets

Leaflets were laid around the table by the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

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.