Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall. View directions

Contact: Jayne Moore  Email: jayne.moore@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from: Alderman Mainelli, Deputy Graham Packham, Judith Pleasance, Anett Rideg, Deborah Oliver, Emily Benn, and Caroline Haines (who was otherwise engaged with a school visit that had been re-scheduled).

 

The following Members were not present at the meeting but observed the meeting using audio-visual facilities: Irem Yerdelen, Dawn Wright, David Sales, and Antony Manchester.

 

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

2.

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

Minutes:

Mark Wheatley confirmed that he is a member of the Drapers’ Company and a Director of The Baby Fund Trading Ltd, referencing appendix 4 (‘Benefits in kind’) of item 11 (‘Special Events in the City’).

 

There were no other declarations.

 

 

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 146 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 14 November 2022.

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

Minutes:

Two points were made in reference to item 5 of the minutes of the meeting of 14 November 2022:

 

1.     Members noted that a further amendment to the Terms of Reference was expected imminently to reflect the movement of the Small Business Research Centre (SBREC) from Guildhall library to the City Centre, with reporting lines also moved from the Committee (SBREC is currently in LMA’s reporting lines) to the Environment Directorate, as of 01 April 2023; and

2.     Referencing this section of item 5: “Members asked for clarification on the Committee’s role in the Cultural Strategy, referred to at item (m) on the terms of reference. Officers replied that the Destination City programme and the Cultural Strategy were interrelated, and the committee would continue to have a role in these” -  A Member expressed a view that that section did not accurately reflect the discussion, commenting that a view had been articulated at the November meeting that the CHL Committee (aside from Destination City) should be involved in developing a cultural strategy.

 

RESOLVED, That the public minutes of the meeting of 14 November 2022 be approved as an accurate record subject to the following amendment to the minutes of item 5:

 

Immediately after:

 

and the committee would continue to have a role in these.”

 

The addition of this sentence:

 

“The Committee noted some Members’ views that the Committee should have a view in developing the Cultural Strategy, noting also the Corporation policy that the way forward on the Cultural Strategy is through Destination City - a unit that is currently (for the most part) newly-staffed.”

 

 

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

4.

Draft High-Level Business Plan 2023/24 - Innovation & Growth pdf icon PDF 167 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

 

On Operational Property Requirements (p. 23 of the agenda), the Committee noted that the matter of the team’s accommodation had been raised at the Policy & Resources Committee meeting of 19 Jan 2023, noting also that broad support had been expressed at that Committee to ensuring that the Destination City team is able to be properly accommodated at Guildhall, with implementation expected during  February 2023.

 

On the final bullet point of section 3 of the main report (p. 16 of the agenda) relating to Destination City, a Member expressed disappointment that the ambition was not as broad as had originally been suggested. The Committee heard that Destination City was a long-term plan with long-term, far-reaching objectives.

 

A Member commented that the City of London Information Centre at St Paul’s Cathedral was only open 5 days a week, which was inconsistent with the 7-day City mindset. The meeting heard that recruitment issues were affecting the staffing capability of the Centre, and that new talent was coming through that would meet an expectation that the Centre would be open 7 days a week by March 2023.

 

A Member commented that it would be beneficial to include more detailed information on the income levels of those engaging with culture in the City. The meeting heard that inclusivity parameters would be examined in greater detail as the programme was rolled out within the confines of the ultimate aim of driving footfall and delivering spend. 

 

A Member commented that a clearer acknowledgement of the role of the insurance sector and its relationship to green finance would be welcome. 

 

 

RESOLVED, That the Committee 

 

               i.         Note the factors taken into consideration in compiling the Innovation & Growth Business Plan; and

 

              ii.         Approve the departmental 2023/24 Innovation & Growth

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

5.

Destination City Update - Member City Envoy Network Appointment and the Evaluation of the Golden Key Event pdf icon PDF 149 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

 

On section 15 (proposed criteria for applications to join City Envoy Network), the Committee formally proposed an amendment to the recommendations around the City Enjoy appointment, expressing the strongly-held view that the Member appointed to the position should have their main residence in the City in order to ensure that resident views were clearly articulated.

 

The motion was proposed and seconded, and a majority of Members voted in favour of that amendment.

 

Some Members commented that the Envoy role (created to lean on industry expert advice) encompassed a clear requirement to represent collective resident views that could be achieved via a residents’ panel or group that could also include school engagement, noting also that Destination City’s governance structure already took into account local community engagement and that both the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London already worked closely with schools.  The Committee also noted the view that any Member who was also a resident would need to ensure that the entire City was represented properly rather than the Member’s area. A Member noted that some non-Member City residents would be well-suited to the position of Envoy.

 

Some Members commented that not all residents felt that appropriate consultation had taken place and that there was merit in exploring current community engagement structures to assess their effectiveness.     

 

In response to a question on how Golden Key attendance figures were calculated, the meeting noted that plans were under way to deliver a more coherent overview to bring together the various datasets, and that TfL and O2 mobility data was currently used to estimate footfall. 

 

A Member asked whether the figure for Saturday visitors to the City was known, and whether the 30K figure represented the number above the usual figure. The

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

6.

City Arts Initiative - Recommendations to the Committee: Public Art proposals pdf icon PDF 154 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

 

On the CAI’s rejection of the C. Hoare Bank plaque application, the Committee noted that referral to the EDI Committee had been suggested. A Member commented on the importance of having the right process in place to assess applications, noting sensitivities around any slave-owning history. A Member asked whether the applicants had been aware of the EDI Committee referral suggestion and whether that had impacted to decision to withdraw the application. The meeting heard that the process itself had been discussed at the CAI meeting (at which a representative of C. Hoare was present) and heard that no reason had been given for the withdrawal.

 

A Member commented that the CAI discussion had centred on the Bank’s role on the financing of the slave trade, noting that such financing was likely to be a part of the history of most banks in the City and that additional explanation of the Bank’s role in the slave trade would have been expected. The Member commented that such discussions ought rightly to be conducted among elected Members, and asked whether C. Hoare had been told of that element of the discussion. 

 

RESOLVED, That the Committee

 

·       Ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations in relation to proposals 1 - 2 as follows:

 

o   Folio400 - William Jaggard – Permanent memorial – further consultation and submission of evidence required with Barbican Renewal, Residents and Estates Office before the application can be reviewed for approval; and

o   Scott Whitby Studio on behalf of C. Hoare Bank - Blue Plaque – approve the rejection of this application by CAI; and also to

 

·       Approve the revision of the current CAI Terms of Reference.

 

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

7.

City Arts Initiative – Recommendations to the Committee: Sculpture in the City pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive, Innovation & Growth.

 

RESOLVED, That the Committee:

 

1.    Ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations in relation to the Sculpture in the City proposal set out in the report; and

2.    Approve the shortlist of artworks for the project’s 12th edition, launching June 2023.

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

8.

Culture Mile Transition - update pdf icon PDF 137 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

 

The Committee noted that Destination City was expecting to launch its own consumer-facing brand as of April 2023, and that the Culture Mile brand was therefore being withdrawn to avoid confusion between overlapping initiatives (including the new BID vote).

 

Some Members commented that were the new BID to be called the ‘Culture Mile BID’, that would generate confusion of itself – noting also that the naming decision had not yet been finalised.  A Member commented that were the new BID to have the phrase ‘Culture Mile’ in its title, the brand’s intellectual capital that belonged to the City would be being handed over to a business-led entity at which the Committee would only have observer status. The meeting heard that the phrase ‘Culture Mile’ had not been protected in any way, and that there was some benefit to the City associating itself with the phrase. A Member commented that, as the BID proposer, the Corporation ought to be exploring ways to suggest that the Culture Mile name not be used as part of the BID, noting that other BIDs were named around locations or districts. The meeting heard that the proposal was to explore the potential for public realm designs (rather than the brand itself) to be offered to the BID for consideration, and that the Culture Mile’s strategy still existed with objectives, impact assessments, and clear strategies.

 

On recommendation 3, a Member commented that item 7 of the minutes of the meeting of 14 November 2022 referenced a sentiment that BIDs did not often involve SMEs and micro-businesses, and asked for an exploration of how BIDs might represent such entities or explore resource allocation to facilitate such involvement. The meeting heard that Destination City engaged with an SME

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

9.

Keats House Admission Fees and Private Hire Charges 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 174 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director Environment.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Environment.

 

RESOLVED, That the Committee agree the proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to the amended figure for 2023/24 on the bottom line being revised from £138.35 to £145, to read as follows:

 

Private hire hourly rate at all other times / private party rate at any time: £145.

 

 

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

10.

Draft high-level summary Business Plan 2023/24 - London Metropolitan Archives pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To consider the report of the Director, London Metropolitan Archives.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Director, London Metropolitan Archives.

 

The Committee noted that a more detailed report on operational property requirements (p. 102 of the agenda) would be submitted to the March 2023 Committee meeting.

 

RESOLVED, That Members

 

1.    Note the factors taken into consideration in compiling the LMA Business Plan; and

2.    Approve the departmental Business Plan 2023/24.

 

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

11.

Special Events on the Highway pdf icon PDF 491 KB

To consider the report of the Executive Director of the Environment.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment, noting also the amended figure relating to parking suspensions on 06 October 2022 (appendix 4) that was circulated the day before the meeting.

 

A Member sought clarification on whether any events were scheduled around the May 2023 coronation. The meeting heard that no State-level events were expecting to take place within the Square Mile and there were currently no Corporation-led events planned for the Coronation. The meeting heard that Destination City was working with City BIDs on arranging street activities for the Coronation weekend.

 

A Member commented that residents were sometimes frustrated by restrictions arising from the planned events, and that those residents would welcome forward notification of these events to their addresses. The meeting noted that all the information was on the website, and that contact details of anyone requiring updates would be welcome.

 

A Member commented that users of vital vehicles would welcome the facility to park their vehicle where appropriate. The meeting noted that the third-party organisers were required to fund additional parking facilities.    

 

RESOLVED, That Members

 

1.    Agree to support the regular core events programme listed in paragraph 7 and detailed in Appendix 1; and

2.    Agree to support the additional one-off events outlined in paragraphs 14-22, subject to final assessment regarding safety, licencing, traffic orders (where required) and impact on local stakeholders.

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

12.

2023-24 Budget Estimates pdf icon PDF 368 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Finance.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of The Chamberlain, Executive Director of Innovation & Growth, Executive Director of Environment, and Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

 

The Committee noted that exceptional energy price increase figures were not included in the document, and that those figures would be submitted to the Policy & Resources Committee with a view to securing additional funding. 

 

RESOLVED, That Members

 

1.    Approve the budget for submission to the Finance Committee, having reviewed the proposed allocation of the 2023/24 revenue budget to ensure that it reflects the Committee’s objectives;

2.    Authorise The Chamberlain, in consultation with the Executive Directors of Community and Children’s Services, Environment, Innovation & Growth and the City Surveyor to revise these budgets to allow for any further implications arising from Corporate Projects, the Target Operating Model other reviews and changes to the Cyclical Works Programme; and

3.    Authorise The Chamberlain to agree minor amendments for 2022/23 and 2023/24 budgets arising during budget setting. 

 

 

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

13.

Plaque Concept Designs: Beckford & Cass Statues Interpretation Project pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To consider the report of the Exercutive Director, Innovation & Growth

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

 

A few Members commented that there was scope for further consideration of whether the Cass and Beckford statues had a place at Guildhall given the greater diversity of Members since the issue was last discussed in depth at Court level. The meeting heard that the issue had been debated exhaustively in 2021, and that the statues could not be moved because of significant cost and heritage protection issues (in particular, English Heritage). The meeting noted that the report ‘Statues Working Group – the Future of Statues in the Guildhall’ submitted to the Court of Common Council at the meeting of 07 October 2021 would be circulated within a week that summed up the background, options considered, and rationale for the decision to ‘retain and explain’.    

 

A Member asked for further detail on the explanatory text, and the meeting heard that a writer-researcher had recently been commissioned and that the proposed text was not yet available, though would be submitted to the Committee in March 2023.

 

The Committee noted that a further Urgency decision on the texts would be submitted in early March 2023, noting the proposal to include the Chief Commoner at the time (Brian Mooney) in the consultation process given his involvement in discussions on the issue.  

 

RESOLVED, That Members approve the detailed design for both the Beckford and Cass statue plaques.

 

 

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

14.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

A Member noted that the Barbican Centre was scheduled to host The Jerusalem Orchestra East & West on 05 February 2023 (in partnership with the Embassy of Israel among others), and expressed disappointment that the Barbican Centre was hosting the event (in her capacity as a Member of the Committee that encompassed the remit of the Barbican Centre).

 

The Member cited controversies around the situation in Israel/Palestine, and expressed the view that people from Palestine should be supported as well as people from Israel. The Member asked for clarification on whether the Barbican Centre would undertake to refrain from hosting similar events in the future, taking into account the City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

 

The meeting heard that the situation would be discussed at the Barbican Centre.

 

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

15.

Any other business the Chair considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

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

16.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Minutes:

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.

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

17.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 November 2022.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of 14 November 2022.

 

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

18.

Charities Review recommendations - Keats House

To consider the report of the Managing Director of BHE and Chief Charities Officer

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

Minutes:

 

 

The Committee considered the report of the Managing Director of BHE and Chief Charities Officer.

 

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

19.

Report of action taken

To note the report of the Clerk: Report of action taken between meetings (explanatory plaque concept designs)

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

Minutes:

The Committee noted the report of the Clerk.

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

20.

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

Minutes:

21.

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

Minutes: