Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deborah Oliver, Anett Rideg, and Dawn Wright.

The following Members did not attend the meeting in person but observed the proceedings online: Judith Pleasance, Alderman Jeanette Newman, Jason Groves, Caroline Haines, and Alethea Silk.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2023.

On item 8 (The Monument), a Member asked for an update on the Monument. The meeting heard that officers are continuing to progress positive discussions regarding the future governance and day-to-day operational management of the Monument, with a recommendation on the permanent governance and operational arrangements to be finalised following the conclusion of the Paul Martin review of Destination City and this Committee’s decision in relation to those findings. In the meantime, the Monument will continue to welcome visitors as normal (see action point 10).

RESOLVED, That the public minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2023 be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings, subject to the insertion of the phrase “be involved with” in lieu of “would be signalled” in reference to the appointment of Publica Associates and TJ Culture Ltd (item 12).  

Report of the Clerk.

Members received a cultural calendar that would henceforth be updated 3-4 times a year.

Addressing action points 1,3 and 9, Members heard the following update on the Destination City (DC) review being undertaken by Paul Martin:

-          Any and every Member wishing to input to the review is to have the opportunity to do so;

-          Significant consultation among Members and non-Members has taken place across the past few months (over 140 consultation meetings have taken place), with strong interest both within and beyond this Committee and the Corporation’s Policy & Resources Committee, alongside a wide range of resident engagement initiatives and online surveys (230 responses from City workers, residents and businesses);

-          Given the significant interest in the DC review the timetable has been extended so that consultation can continue through February 2024, those findings to be integrated into the review;

-          Consultation is to continue, and an Industry engagement breakfast event is scheduled for 20 Feb. Invites have been sent to large City businesses and SMEs, including property & construction, retail, financial & professional service sectors;

-          Details of the extended timetable will be communicated as soon as possible, noting that the agreement together with the Town Clerk & Chief Executive to extend the timetable was reached at the end of the previous week.

A Member sought confirmation on how industry participants, particularly SMEs, had been involved in the process. The meeting heard that a range of sources had been taken into account, and that a list of stakeholders, including SMEs, would be circulated.

Members expressed disappointment at the timetable extension, and asked for an update on the timetable and whether there was merit in exploring the potential for a hybrid approach of consulting alongside the sharing of emerging findings, and whether the meeting scheduled to take place on 09 February 2024

Report of the Clerk

The Committee noted the report of the Clerk.

The meeting noted that the City of London Police Museum governance was under discussion at Corporation level, and noted that the Small Business Research and Enterprise Centre falls within the auspices of the Policy & Resources Committee.

Members noted that cultural strategy could be more clearly articulated in the Terms of Reference, as well as the relationship with the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London. (see Action Point 11)

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

The Committee noted the report of the Clerk.

To consider the report of The Chamberlain, Deputy Town Clerk, Executive Director of Innovation & Growth, Interim Executive Director Environment, Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, and The City Surveyor.

The Committee noted the annual submission of the revenue budgets in relation to the operational services directly overseen by the Committee. 

Members noted that decisions in the wake of the Paul Martin review would need to be incorporated in future iterations of the budgeting process.

On the assumptions set out in the report (paragraphs 4 to 6), a Member noted that the £2.3M growth bid for DC is approaching its third and final year and asked for clarification of future plans and funding – noting the pending review of DC.  The meeting noted that future funding for DC beyond 2024/25 is not included in the current budget.

Members reviewed the proposed allocation of the 2024/25 revenue budget to ensure that it reflects the Committee’s objectives. The Committee noted that the proposed budget for 2024/25 totals a net expenditure of £21.481m - an increase of £0.570m (2.73%) compared with the 2023/24 original budget of £20.911m, which is principally due to:

·       The full year effect of the July 2023 pay award (inc winter payment) (£0.806m),

·       Net 3% inflation (£0.231m),

·       Increase in repairs and maintenance costs (£0.017m),

·       An increase in the Cyclical Works Programme (£0.050m),

·       3% inflationary uplift applied to the Museum of London grant (£0.159m),

·       These increases are partially offset by the Small Business, Research & Enterprise Centre transferred to P&R committee (£0.569m),

·       Implementation of fundamental review savings (£0.020m), and

·       A decrease in capital and support services recharges (£0.099m).

RESOLVED, That Members

1.    Approve the budget for submission to the CoL’s Finance Committee;

2.    Authorise the Chamberlain, in consultation with the Deputy Town Clerk, 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

To consider the report of the Interim Deputy Town Clerk.

Members considered the high-level Business Plan for London Metropolitan Archives for 2024/25, noting the factors taken into consideration in compiling the London Metropolitan Archives Business Plan.

A Member commented that KPIs might merit from being more ambitious to encompass target audience penetration and enhanced availability to people across the world.

Members heard that a new website is in the process of being developed, as well as a refreshed catalogue whose development is to begin by late 2024.

RESOLVED, That Members approve the departmental Business Plan 2024/25. 

To note the report of the Clerk.

Members noted the report of the Clerk.

The Chairman acknowledged receipt of a petition titled: “We urge the City of London to do everything in its power to establish a permanent openly accessible exhibition of ceramic tiles incorporating as many as possible of the Heritage of Fleet Street information panels as displayed at the Open House in 2023”, noting that 168 signatures had been received.

Members noted that the proposal would be submitted to the City Arts Initiative.

Report of the Clerk.

The Committee noted the report of the Clerk.

Some Members commented unfavourably on the lateness of the proposal and reports, and expressed concern that the Committee had been unable to scrutinise the proposals. Members asked for a more comprehensive explanation to be provided as to why the decision had had to be made via the Urgency procedures given the lead time and prior knowledge of the project (see Action Point 12).

Members noted that there is no liability to the City of London Corporation and noted, in response to a question, that the project is fully funded externally (see Action Point 13).

Members noted that clarification on the precise role of the Committee would be welcome, noting in particular the apparent subservient role of the Committee in relation to the Policy & Resources Committee, and that a key issue in the review being undertaken by Paul Martin should centre around governance of the City’s cultural assets, and how DC is to be governed.

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 subsequent 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 meeting of 20 November 2023.

The Committee considered the non-Public minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2023.

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Executive Director Environment.

To receive the report of the Managing Director of City Bridge Foundation.

Members considered the report of the Managing Director of City Bridge Foundation.

To consider the report of the Managing Director of the City Bridge Foundation.

The Committee considered the report of the Managing Director of the City Bridge Foundation.

Report of the Clerk.

Members considered the report of the Clerk and the ‘Pre-Gateway 5’ closure appendix.

To agree the Confidential minutes of the meeting of 20 November 2023.