Agenda and minutes

It was proposed by Deputy David Bradshaw, seconded by Jeremy Simons, that Barbara Newman take the Chair.

Apologies were received from Tijs Broeke, Thomas Clementi, Anne Fairweather, Caroline Haines, Graeme Harrower, Chief Commoner Tom Hoffman, Alderman Robert Howard, Alderman Alastair King, Andrew Mayer and Judith Pleasance.

Jeremy Simons declared an interest as City Governor of Dr. Johnson’s House Trust. Deputy Wendy Hyde, Wendy Mead and Deputy Giles Shilson declared an interest as patrons of the Barbican Centre. Mark Wheatley declared an interest as Director of Tommy’s Charity.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 25 April 2019 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

Members received the Order of the Court dated 25 April 2019 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

Members elected a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

RESOLVED, that – being the only Member willing to serve, Graham Packham be elected as Chairman for 2019/20.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

Members elected a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

RESOLVED, that – being the only Member willing to serve, Deputy Wendy Hyde be elected as Deputy Chairman for 2019/20.

To approve the public minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019 be approved as a correct record, subject to two spelling amendments.

To receive the draft public minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the draft minutes of the meeting of the Benefices Sub-Committee held on 4 March 2019 be received.

To receive the draft minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the draft minutes of the Keats House Consultative Committee meeting held 18 March 2019 be received.

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive relative to the appointments to the Benefices Sub-Committee, Keats House Consultative Committee and City Arts Initiative.

Benefices Sub-Committee

The following Members were appointed to the Benefices Sub-Committee for 2019/20:

Simon Duckworth

Caroline Haines

Deputy the Reverend Stephen Haines

Ann Holmes

Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark (confirmed subsequent to the meeting)

Alderman Gregory Jones

Andrew McMurtrie

Deputy Richard Regan (confirmed subsequent to the meeting)

James De Sausmarez

Ian Seaton (confirmed subsequent to the meeting)

Due to high levels of interest, the Membership has been extended to 10 Members for 2019/20, together with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee as ex-officio. The Benefices Sub-Committee elects its own Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Keats House Consultative Committee

The following Member was appointed to the Keats House Consultative Committee for 2019/20:

Vivienne Littlechild (confirmed subsequent to the meeting)

VACANCY

Together with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, who sit on the Keats House Consultative Committee as Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

City Arts Initiative

The following Members were appointed to the City Arts Initiative for 2019/20:

Jeremy Simons

Barbara Newman

Together with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

Members received an oral report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to Brexit and the City libraries. Both Barbican and Shoe Lane libraries have biometric capture facilities to assist individuals applying for, among other things, UK visas, citizenship, residency and the EU settlement scheme.

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

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

Members considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects relative to the City Arts Initiative Recommendations to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

RESOLVED, that – Members ratify the City Arts Initiative’s (CAI) recommendations in relation to proposals 1 and 2 of the report as follows:

1.    Culture Mile – Pleasure Garden: Members noted the application and acknowledged that the CAI may only comment and not recommend, and that the Committee may not approve or decline applications for public art on private land;

2.    Displaced: Members declined the application at this stage, noting the lack of clarity regarding what the objects are and if the presentation of these objects will be breaching City of London advertising policies.

Film screening presented by the Cultural and Visitor Development Director.

Members received a viewing of the trailer for Fantastic Feats: the building of London, this year’s outdoor arts programme which showcases architecture, invention and engineering in London.

The Cultural and Visitor Development Director to be heard.

Members received an oral report from the Cultural and Visitor Development Director relative to social media channels where Members can receive updates on cultural events in the City. The presentation provided an overview of where highlights are found both on the City Corporation’s website and various social media platforms, and gave details of where Members may sign up for e-newsletters.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

The Cultural and Visitor Development Director to be heard.

Members received an oral report relative to the Guildhall Artist in Residence programme for 2019 and 2020. Selected artists will work on the themes Celebrating City Women (2019) and the City’s Livery Companies that, through their craft, have a connection to the Mayflower (2020) TBC.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Major Projects relative to the London Landmarks Half Marathon: Monitoring and Evaluation Headlines. The report outlines the key findings from the monitoring and evaluation exercise undertaken by the organisers

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer (CGO) & Director of City Bridge Trust.

Members received a report of the Chief Grants Officer & Director of City Bridge Trust relative to the Central Grants Programme (CGP) Annual Report. The report included the outcomes of the four CGP grant programmes delivered in 2018/19; an update on the monitoring and evaluation of the CGP and an outline of the deadlines for 2019/20.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to future funding for the Dragon Café in the City which offers support to City residents and workers for their mental and physical wellbeing.

RESOLVED, that –

Members:

1.    Note the report

2.    Support efforts to promote Dragon Café in the City to those living and/or working in the Square Mile.

The Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard.

Members received an oral update of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the City’s libraries. The following was reported:

1.    the Barbican Library was securing a new e-book provider;

2.    the Barbican Library identified the need for a community space for events and meetings. A scoping exercise had taken place, but the project was put on hold.

3.    City Read – an initiative which encouraged London residents to read the same book throughout May, and held events in relation to the book.

RESOLVED, that – the update be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive relative to a decision taken under urgency since the Committee’s last meeting. The matter pertained to the final approval of the City of London Visitor Strategy 2019/23, which was approved subject to amendments.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to Tower Bridge and Monument risk management, for risks faced by the Department of Open Spaces.

RESOLVED, that –

Members:

1.    note the Corporate risk scoring grid at Appendix 1;

2.    approve the Tower Bridge & Monument risk register included within Appendix 2;

3.    approve the increased risk score of OSD TBM 009 – Economic Downturn in the City within Appendix 2;

4.    note the Tower Bridge and Monument current and target risk grid at Appendix 3;

5.    note the Tower Bridge and Monument risk history report at Appendix 4.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Members considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces relative to Keats House risk management, for risks faced by the Department of Open Spaces.

RESOLVED, that –

Members:

1.    note the Corporate Risk scoring grid at Appendix 1;

2.    approve the Keats House risk register included within Appendix 2;

3.    note the Keats House current and target risk grid at Appendix 3;

4.    note the Keats House risk history at Appendix 4.

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive relative to the Gender Identity Policy. The report outlined the Corporation’s existing requirements under the law, and stated that by adopting the policy, the Corporation can ensure that a clear and consistent approach to gender identity would be taken in service delivery and in the workplace.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There were no other questions.

Members discussed having an earlier start time for the annual Committee dinner, as some guests commented that the event ended too late in the evening for those travelling outside of London.

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 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.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the draft non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the draft non-public minutes of the meeting of the Benefices Sub-Committee held on 4 March 2019 be received.

There were no questions.

There were no items of other business.