Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Munsur Ali, Alderman David Graves and Deputy Nighat Queishi.

There were none.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 21 April 2022 appointing the Committee and setting its Terms of Reference

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 20 April 2022 for the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

To elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. The Town Clerk informed the Committee that Wendy Hyde, as the only Member expressing their willingness to serve was therefore duly elected as Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

RESOLVED – That Wendy Hyde be elected Chair of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee for the ensuing year.

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

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

As multiple expressions of interest were received, a ballot of Members was undertaken and Munsur Ali, upon receiving a majority of votes cast, was duly elected as Deputy Chair for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED – That Munsur Ali be elected Deputy Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee for the ensuing year.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 31 January 2022.

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 31 January 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Members are asked to note the Committee’s forward plan.

The Committee’s forward plan was noted.

Report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive in respect of the appointment, composition and terms of reference of the Keats House Consultative Committee, and the appointment of representatives to the City Arts Initiative.

Members agreed that, as the Chair had a place on the City Arts Initiative both as Chair of the Committee and Chair of the Statues, additional places should be allocated from the Committee.

RESOLVED, that –

1. the appointment, composition and terms of reference of the Keats House Consultative Committee be agreed and the following Members be appointed to the Committee, with the Chair and Deputy Chair as ex-officio Members:

·         John Griffiths

·         Frances Leach

2. the following Members be appointed to the City Arts Initiative:

·         Jason Groves

·         Madesh Gupta

·         Judith Pleasance

·         Anett Ridigg

Report of the Director of Innovation and Growth

Members considered a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth in respect of the City Arts Initiative Recommendations to the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

RESOLVED, that Members ratify the City Arts Initiative recommendations in relation to proposals 1 and 2 in the report as follows:

• Sculpture in the City – 11th Edition: approve subject to ongoing consultation and permissions from landowners, Highways and Planning.
• London Festival of Architecture - Mobile Arboretum: approve subject to ongoing consultation and permissions from Highways and Planning.

Report of the Director of Innovation and Growth

Members received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth relative to the City Outdoor Arts Programme.

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

Report of the Town Clerk and Chief Executive.

Members received a report of the Director of the London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) relative to the strategic direction of the Archive.

The following points were discussed:

• In response to a query from a Member, the Director of the LMA said that considerable thought was being put into the LMA’s physical space.
• Members asked how the LMA could work to engage with the local community. In reply, the Director said that there were looking at opportunities to expand work in this area.
• The Director was seeking to link up with other City institutions to work on strategic objectives. They would consider the most effective way for the Committee to support the LMA with the Chair.
• A Member suggested that the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. was a good example to consider

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 and Children’s Services relative to the Artizan Street Library Transformation Project.

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 and Children’s Services relative to the draft Department of Community and Children’s Services Business Plan for 2022/23.

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

Report of the Executive Director, Environment Department

Members received a report of the Executive Director, Environment Department relative to the a end of year update for the Keats House Charity.

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

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk & Chief Executive in respect of the decisions taken under urgency procedures since the committee’s last meeting.

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

A Member asked if now was a suitable time to consider a wider cultural strategy plan for the City of London. An officer replied that the Culture Mile was the coordination group for that area, and it was suggested that an overview of the Culture Mile could be presented to Members at the next meeting. The Town Clerk confirmed that, following the Governance Review as agreed in December 2021, the Culture Mile fell under the Committee’s remit.

There was none.

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 31 January 2022.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Innovation and Growth

Members received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth relative to the Destination City: City Envoy Network and the Major Events for 2022/23.

There was one question in the non-public session.

There was no other business.

To agree the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record.