Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Chloe Rew
tel. no.: 020 7332 1427  Email: chloe.rew@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Deputy John Bennett, Thomas Clementi, Anne Fairweather, Sophie Fernandes, Graeme Harrower, Deputy Tom Hoffman, Anne Holmes, Andrew Mayer and John Petrie.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

The following declarations were made under the code of conduct:

 

With respect Item 9, the Chairman declared an interest as a Patron of Doctor Johnson’s House, with whom the Arab British Centre are collaborating. Jeremy Simons declared an interest as City Governor for Doctor Johnson’s House. Caroline Haines declared an interest due to involvement with Garsington Opera. Alderman Sir Roger Gifford declared an interest due to involvement with the City Music Foundation. The Deputy Chairman, Wendy Mead, Judith Pleasance and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson declared an interest as Patrons of the Barbican Centre.

 

With respect to Item 10, Mark Wheatley declared an interest due to involvement with the Mayflower 400.

 

Sylvia Moys declared an interest as a Member of Maritime London.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To approve the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 11 December 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That, the public minutes and summary of the previous meeting held 11 December 2018 be agreed subject to the following amendments:

 

Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, Deputy David Bradshaw and Mary Durcan to be listed under Members present.

 

Julie Smith, Chamberlain’s Department, to be listed under Officers in attendance.

 

James de Sausmarez to be listed as having sent apologies.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Brexit Update

Verbal update to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

Members received oral updates of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director and the Head of Barbican and Community Libraries regarding Brexit.

 

Based on research and assumptions promoted by London and Partners, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), Visit Britain and others, the Cultural and Visitor Development Director reported on the impact of Brexit on tourism, noting that there are concerns from EU visitors regarding access to the UK, and from UK visitors travelling to EU destinations, with questions over identification cards, the strength of the British Pound and political instability. There are concerns from the tourism industry regarding the supply chain, staff retention and abuse of EU nationals working at attractions. The Director reported that visits from EU countries had dropped by 8.3% in 2018, and there was a 7.6% drop in EU arrivals in the first two months of 2019. However, there has been an 18% increase in tourism from the US and a 19% increase from China.

 

Members suggested that the decline in tourism from EU visitors could also be related to terrorism threats and high cost of travel in the UK. The Director advised that further research would determine the extent of reasons for decline in tourism. Members emphasised the importance of engaging with visitors to promote the City and the UK.

 

The Head of Barbican and Community Libraries reported that libraries in the City have facilities to capture biometric data to assist individuals applying for UK visas, residency and citizenship. Applicants are often individuals who have been hired by a City company that have not been able to recruit from the UK and the service has also been accessed by a number of City residents.

 

RESOLVED – That the oral updates be received and their contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Aldgate Square Events (deferred from January)

The Cultural and Visitor Development Director to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

Members received an oral report of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director relative to the events at Aldgate Square. With support from The Aldgate Partnership (TAP), the City’s outdoor arts programme team are curating a programme and centralised booking system for the Square, working with and advising community groups who wish to use the space. Events currently booked include a street food exhibition from Guildhall Library, a grand designs exhibition featuring London’s iconic buildings from the London Metropolitan Archives, and a Circus performance with Mimbre, a Hackney-based dance company.

 

RESOLVED – That the oral report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Update on the City of London Corporation Crowdfunding Project (deferred from January) pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects which provided an update on the City of London Corporation’s Crowdfunding Project “Our City”. Members were informed that the project initially operated in a limited geographic area, and has been expanded across the whole Square Mile.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

City Arts Initiative: Recommendations to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee (deferred from January) pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/ Director of Major Projects.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects recommending to Members that no further funding be provided for the statues of Sylvia Pankhurst in Clerkenwell and Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green, as both statues are located outside of the City boundaries and do not advance the objective to better recognise women within the City’s own public realm.

 

Members expressed support for prioritising commemorations of women and locating these within the City’s public realm. The Deputy Chairman suggested focusing researching on women who were active in the City community in the past to identify those who should be commemorated.

 

The Director advised that programmes are underway to recognise women at Guildhall and in the Cheapside area.

 

RESOLVED – That Members ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations to decline endorsing further funding requests for the statues of Sylvia Pankhurst and Mary Wollstonecraft in order to maintain focus and resources on providing commemorations within the City.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

City Arts Initiative: Recommendations to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects relative to public art proposals.

 

RESOLVED – That Members ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations in relation to proposals 1 to 6as follows:

 

1)    River View: approve subject to final consent from City engineers, and Highways and Planning Teams;

 

2)    Wayward, Smithfield Rotunda: approve, subject to final consent of the City Gardens Team;

 

3)    Volo – dreams of flight: approve subject to final consent from City Gardens, Highways and Public Realm Teams;

 

4)    Sculpture in the City: approve shortlist in principle and subject to necessary permissions and licences from Highways and Planning Teams, and the City Gardens Team, noting the serious concerns from the Director of Communications over some works appearing on the shortlist;

 

5)    London Festival of Architecture – Benches: approve subject to final consent from the Highways and City Gardens Teams and implementation of recommendations;

 

6)    London Festival of Architecture – St Paul’s Plinth: approve subject to final consent from Planning and Engineering Teams; and,

 

7)    note the application for 22 Bishopsgate acknowledging that the CAI may only comment and not recommend, and that your Committee may not approve or decline applications for public art on private land.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Central Grants Programme - Inspiring London Through Culture: Recommendations Report to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Members received a report of the Assistant Town Clerk/Director of Major Projects relative to the Inspiring London through Culture funding theme, which forms part of the Central Grants Programme. Members were asked to note the grants approved by the panel.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Mayflower 400

The Cultural and Visitor Development Director to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

Members received an oral report of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director relative to the 2020 Outdoor arts programme and the proposal to include the Mayflower 400th anniversary along with other major events and programmes including Becket 900 and Euro 2020, as well as activities celebrating the City’s local communities. The programme will run for several months during the year and stage events at various locations in the City.

 

RESOLVED – That the oral report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Adam Grant: Commissioned Film

Screening of 3-minute film supporting Architecture of London at Guildhall Art Gallery.

 

Last year, while still at school, Adam Grant, a young City-based filmmaker now studying at Ravensbourne University, won both the My Local Culture competition (part of London Borough of Culture) and the Live Action Into Film Award (in the category 13 and over) presented at the Into Film Awards at the BFI. Impressed by his interpretation of City life in his films, the City Corporation commissioned Adam to produce a short about the Guildhall Art Gallery’s collection. Focussing on City people and places and aligning with the Gallery’s new collections policy, Adam’s film provides an important promotional tool for the upcoming exhibition Architecture of London.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

Members heard an oral update of the Cultural and Visitor Development Director relative to developments at the Guildhall Art Gallery (GAG). The Director reported that an uplift to the GAG’s local risk budget had been agreed at the Resource Allocation Subcommittee, and Architecture of London has received the highest corporate sponsorship for any exhibition in the GAG’s history. General admission, school visits, school gallery sessions and family visits have all increased and the financial year 2018/19 has broken all previous records for the Gallery in terms of footfall.

 

Following the update, Members were presented with a 3-minute film by local film-maker Adam Grant which promoted the upcoming GAG exhibition entitled Architecture of London.

 

Members congratulated and thanked Adam for the excellence of his work which provided a terrific showcase for both the City and the GAG.

 

RESOLVED – That the oral report and film be received and their contents noted.

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2018 - Guildhall Library Centenary Fund pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Assistant Town Clerk/ Culture Mile Director relative to the Guildhall Library Centenary Fund Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2018, in accordance with the format required by the Charity Commission.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2018 - Keats House pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Open Spaces.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Members received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Open Spaces relative to the Keats House Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2018, in accordance with the format required by the Charity Commission.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Final Departmental High-Level Business Plans 2019/20 - Department of Community & Children's Services, Open Spaces Department and Town Clerk's Department (Cultural Services) pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Joint report of the Town Clerk, Director of Community & Children’s Services and Director of Open Spaces.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a joint report of the Town Clerk, Director of Community and Children’s Services and Director of Open Spaces relative to the Final Departmental High-Level Business Plans 2019/20 for the Department of Community and Children’s Services, Open Spaces Department and the Town Clerk’s Department (Cultural Services). The report presented the business plans for approval.

 

RESOLVED – That Members approve the final high-level Business Plans for 2019/20 for the Department of Community and Children’s Services, the Open Spaces Department and the Town Clerk’s Department (Cultural Services)

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Tower Bridge Re-Decking and Approach Viaduct Waterproofing Project * pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Members are asked to note the report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of the Built Environment relative to the progress of the Tower Bridge re-decking and approach viaduct waterproofing project.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Special Events on the Highway pdf icon PDF 809 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

Members considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment relative to Special Events on the highway planned for 2019. Members were informed that there were 14 core events scheduled to take place in the City in 2019, with an increasing number of one-off programmes which aim to promote the City’s Cultural and Visitor agendas, transport strategy, objectives of City partner organisations and community groups.

 

At the London Landmarks Marathon which took place on Sunday 24 March 2019, Members were informed that the event was very successful, with 13,000 runners and an estimated 50,000 spectators. A mobile app which allowed spectators to track individuals based on the runner’s number and location received a high-level of engagement and will be used for future events.

 

Members expressed concern that many events take place on Sundays, therefore road closures and disruptions impact church-goers. The Chairman advised that heat maps are used to identify the benefits and extent of disruption from events in order to evaluate which events should be approved. The Director of the Built Environment advised that the issue of maintaining church access will be reviewed.

 

RESOLVED – That Members:

1.    agree to support the regular core events programme listed in paragraph 5 and detailed in Appendix 1; and,

2.    agree to support the additional Cultural, Visitor & Transport Strategy events outlined in paragraphs 18-36, subject to the appropriate degree of due diligence regarding safety, licensing approval, traffic orders (where required) and impact on local stakeholders.

 

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Request for Urgent Decision - Report of Action Taken * pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Members are asked to note the report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Town Clerk relative to a decision taken under urgency procedures. An urgent decision was taken to authorise the Head of Barbican and Community Libraries to replace one diesel vehicle with an electric equivalent and provide driver training in advance of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone tariffs coming into effect on 1 April 2019.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Library Self Service Kiosks pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members considered a Gateway 3/4 report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services relative to a request for approval to replace the self-service kiosks and associated peripherals for Barbican and Community Libraries. The Director reported that the existing self-service stations are nearing their end-of-life, and need to be replaced to be maintainable and allow for card and contactless payments and improved ease of use.

 

RESOLVED – That Members:

1)      approve Option 2 to source a new system, for proceeding to procurement and Gateway 4a;

2)      approve the total estimated cost of £120,000;

3)      approve request for additional Capital budget of £70,000 to proceed to procurement and reach the next Gateway.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Barbican Music Library Exhibition Programme pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

Members received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services relative to the Barbican Music Library Exhibition Programme. Partnerships with the Barbican Art Gallery, individuals, organisations and community groups have resulted in a successful, high-profile programme at the Library. The Library has received Priority Investment Pot funding for new cabinets to allow for displaying a wider variety of items. The Library has been promoted by The Guardian, BBC Radio 2 and 3.

 

The Chairman requested the Director inform all Members of the City of London of events at the Library, not only Members of the Committee.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

In answer to a question concerning London and Partners, Members were informed that the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed to grant £100,000 per year for three years to be paid to London and Partners, enabling the City Corporation to take a Strategy Partner role in their new Domestic Tourism programme and campaigns.

 

Whilst it was noted that the grant had initially been dealt with as a non-public matter, as at the time other partners had not been informed of the funding, the Chairman suggested seeking advice to determine when the information as set out above could be made public.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Any other business the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 

Item

Paragraph

23-24

3

25

3&7

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item

Paragraph

23-24

3

25

3&7

 

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Non-Public Minutes

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2018.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held 11 December 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Report on the Efficiency Savings for 2019/20 (deferred from January)

Joint report of the Chamberlain, Assistant Town Clerk and Culture Mile Director, Director of Open Spaces and Director of Children’s and Community Services.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

Members considered a joint report of the Chamberlain, the Assistant Town Clerk/ Culture Mile Director/ Director of Open Spaces and the Director of Community and Children’s Services relative to the report on the efficiency savings for 2019/20.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Monument Visitor Centre Update

Head of Tower Bridge to be heard.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 25.

Minutes:

Members received an oral report of the Head of Tower Bridge relative to the updates to the Monument Visitor Centre.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Non public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the Committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.