Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Graham Packham, Caroline Haines, Jaspreet Hodgson, Antony Manchester, Alpa Raja, and Ian Seaton.

The following Members observed the meeting online: James Bromiley-Davis, Deputy Madush Gupta, Judith Pleasance, Deputy Nighat Qureishi, and Dawn Wright.

John Foley declared that he is a customer of Hoare’s Bank.

The Town Clerk to be heard.

Members agreed that the Vote of Thanks be moved at the July 2023 meeting.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 23 January 2023.

RESOLVED, That the public minutes of the meeting of 23 January 2023 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings.

The following matters were raised in relation to the minutes of 23 January 2023:

Item 3: The meeting noted that the Policy & Resources (P&R) Committee had, on 23 March 2023, agreed to approve the following recommendation:

-       Task officers to explore suitable alternative arrangements for a Culture Forum and Masterplan and present back to the Committee within six to twelve months.

The meeting noted that the CHL Committee’s brief was to consider content and strategy rather than City properties’ use (though working alongside property use). A Member commented that no decision had actually been made, and that there appeared to be a need for a cultural strategy with an implementation plan. The Member commented that culture and creative industry strategy issues would benefit from being considered and reviewed in a more holistic manner, and it was noted that the CHL Committee would be involved in the recommendation presented to the P&R Committee.  A Member sought reassurance that the exploration of alternative arrangements would maximise the expertise within the City’s resident community aside from the envoy programme. The meeting heard that the exploration would be thorough and far-reaching, and would consider resident engagement issues as part of its brief, and that the formation of the group was at a very early stage.

Item 5: A Member commented that suitable residents had not been given an opportunity during 2022 to apply to become an envoy, and that resident representation was important to the success of the City’s cultural strategy. The Member proposed that an additional envoy from the resident community be selected via an open recruitment exercise to add to the existing expertise. The meeting heard that both CHL

Members are asked to note the Committee’s Forward Plan for 2023.

Members noted the Committee’s forward plan.

To review and approve the Committee’s Terms of Reference, considered at the November 2022 meeting.

The meeting noted that the City of London Police museum had been reinstated during the most recent P&R meeting.

On section (m) of the Terms of Reference, Members agreed that the following phrase should be amended: ‘following consultation with the Policy & Resources Committee’ to read as follows ‘following consultation with all stakeholders’. The amendment was proposed, seconded and approved by a majority following the expression of concerns that the P&R Committee appeared to exert significant influence on the CHL Committee’s work, and that the work of the CHL Committee was to drive cultural strategy as a collaborative effort.  

RESOLVED, That the Committee’s amended Terms of Reference be approved ahead of their submission to the April meeting of the Court of Common Council, noting the reinstatement of the City of London Police Museum, and subject to the amended wording of section (m): replace the phrase ‘following consultation with the Policy & Resources Committee’ to read as follows ‘following consultation with all stakeholders’.

To receive the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Members noted the report of the Deputy Town Clerk setting out the three keys area of development at the London Metropolitan Archives, updating the report submitted to the Committee in November 2022.   

On the proposal to create an ‘exciting digital offering’, a Member asked for clarification on what that would entail. The meeting heard that the offering would include the picture archive that was currently under-used, and a new front-end website to present the LMA in a more engaging way.  A Member commented that some of the search functions would benefit from further work. The meeting noted that the LMA team is aware the system needs some work and would beadjusted to generate a more user-centred experience as soon as other priorities were under way.

Members noted that the LMA’s audience was global, and that further engagement work would benefit from continuing to take that into account over and above encouraging visitors to the building.  Members commented that there was merit in creating connections with other institutions such as the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London (as well as other City and non-City assets), and the meeting heard that such initiatives had taken place in the past, and that further such initiatives were planned. A Member commented that there were likely to be interesting opportunities for link-ups with the new site of the Museum of London expected to be officially opened on 25 October 2025. 

On the element of confusion among some users around the name, a Member asked whether a re-brand was being considered. The meeting heard that there was enthusiasm for changing the name to better reflect the institution’s work and that progress was being made to that end.

Referencing the project ‘Switching the lens’, a Member asked for further information on the volunteer strategy. The meeting

To consider the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

Members considered the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services and noted the outcome report.

RESOLVED, That the Project be closed.

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth (appendices in separate pack).

Members considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

A Member commented that residents did not appear to have been consulted in the manner suggested by the document, and some appeared unhappy with the scope of the currently proposed Jaggard memorial. The meeting noted that some canvassing had been undertaken and that there was support for some kind of commemorative structure to mark the site of the Folio 400 printing, though opinions differed on what that structure should be. The meeting also noted that the anniversary was in November 2023 and that there were, therefore, timing implications.  

The meeting noted that Seats at the Table had been agreed for Postman’s Park, and that consultation was ongoing in respect of ‘Urban Playground’.

RESOLVED, That Members ratify the City Arts Initiative's recommendations as set out in the report, as follows:

o   Folio 400 – William Jaggard – Permanent Memorial – take into account updates on ongoing consultation;

o   London Festival of Architecture (LFA) – Urban Playground: approve subject to accessibility consultation, and consultation with Highways and Planning with regards to location, maintenance, safety & liability. Further clarification on how installation is interpreted also recommended; and

o   London Festival of Architecture (LFA) – Seats at the Table: approve subject to clarifications on timeline, location and accessibility.

To receive the report of The Chamberlain and of the Executive Director Environment.

Members received and noted the report of The Chamberlain and the Executive Director Environment presenting the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year-ended 31 March 2022 for Keats House.  

To receive the report of The Chamberlain.

Members received and noted the report of The Chamberlain presenting the Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year-ended 31 March 2022 for the Guildhall Library Centenary Fund.

Members asked for regular updates on the work of Destination City given that the CHL Committee had oversight on Destination City, and the meeting heard that key updates and material regular updates would be submitted on the work of Destination City.

There was no other business.

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 next 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 23 January 2023.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of 23 January 2023.

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

Members considered the report of the Director Innovation & Growth.