Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Munsur Ali and Mark Wheatley.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 September 2025.

RESOLVED, That the minutes of the meeting of 22 September 2025 be approved as an accurate record of the proceedings.

Actions 01/25 and 02/25 are completed, updates were given on the remaining actions that are reflected in the actions list for the December 2025 meeting.

Members are asked to note the Committee’s forward plan

The Committee noted the forward plan.

Members agreed that a timeline of some matters be included for reference.

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

Sheena Etches/Jack Joslin

Jack Joslin will provide a brief introduction to the Inspiring London through Culture paper and be present at the meeting to take any questions.

The Committee received the report of the Interim Managing Director of the City Bridge Foundation that provided an overview of projects funded through the Inspiring London Through Culture funding programme (ILTC) in the 2024/25 financial year alongside a comprehensive analysis of the grants awarded by the ILTC over the last five years, illustrating the contribution of the ILTC to delivering both Destination City and City of London’s Corporate Plan strategic outcomes.

Members noted the following in particular:

1.     The criteria for the Inspiring London Through Culture Fund set out in appendix 1;

2.     The recent grants awarded from the Inspiring London Through Culture Fund 2024/25 set out in appendix 2; and

3.     The analysis of the Inspiring London Through Culture Fund over the last five years, 2020/21 to 2024/25 inclusive, and its impact, set out in appendix 3.

Referencing the core criteria set out in section 3 of the main report, a Member sought clarification on whether the reference to the enhancement of “London’s future” referred to the City or to Greater London. The meeting noted that the reference was primarily to the City of London but that contributions were also made to the creativity of the Greater London area.

Referencing the focus on value for money set out in section 7, Members asked for more information on how value for money is or has been assessed. The meeting noted that the central funding team assesses value for money at the assessment and approval stages to encompass scrutiny of budgets, salary benchmarking and ongoing monitoring, noting that in some cases the organisations are small-scale and are applying for small amounts of money - and that ongoing value assessments for small allocations would not necessarily be proportionate. A member asked for feedback on the ongoing monitoring process generally, and the Committee

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk updating Members on the Sculpture in the City (SITC) programme and the successful delivery of the 14^th edition (2025-26). The Committee also noted the proposed outline for a change in ownership and delivery model for the SITC programme to transition from the City Corporation to a new Community Interest Company.

Noting section 14 of the main report in particular, Members commented that more detail would be welcome on any transfer to a CIC and on the mechanics of how any CIC would work ahead of any final move, as well providing further information on any financial implications – noting also that an in-principle decision is being sought. The meeting noted that the details are being carefully explored and that there are expected to be resource savings in any such transfer, noting in particular section 36 of the main report. The meeting heard that staff costs currently amount to c. £150K pa, and that the programme enjoys the contribution of partners (who are broadly in favour of a CIC model).  

Members commended the SITC programme and its position within the cultural strategy, and noted the expenditure involved in the programme. Members commented on the potential drawbacks of loss of control on the part of the CoLC in the event that the programme is transferred to a CIC model, particularly in view of the potential for the quality of the pieces and/or the artists to deteriorate, noting also that CoLC planning discretion would be retained. The Committee emphasised the importance of ensuring that the governance and oversight of any new CIC is appropriate and suitable, and asked that further information be brought to the Committee that explains whether the CoLC could retain a degree of control of the quality of the

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Environment.

Rob S

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Environment updating Members of Keats on achievements at Keats House for the period April - September 2025, noting that Keats House has been delivering the objectives identified in its annual Activities Plan set out in appendix 1, which in turn contribute to the achievement of Departmental, Corporate and wider cultural sector outcomes and initiatives.

Members agreed that risk management procedures in place for Keats House are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011, noting the detailed risk register set out in appendix 2.

The Committee noted in particular this risk: ENV-NE-KH 007 ‘Tree event or failure’ noting also that the House is working closely with the Open Spaces team to assess all trees, noting also that work on a specific tree is expected to begin imminently to reduce the risk to a tolerable level – noting also that the risk was discussed at the meeting of the Keats House Consultative Committee on 31 October 2025, during which the Committee expressed its concern in strong terms about that risk being classed as a red risk. A Member asked when the work would be carried out on the relevant tree, and the Committee heard that the work was escalated soon after the Consultative Committee meeting and will be undertaken shortly.

Referencing section 15, the Committee congratulated Keats House on winning the Sandford Award.       

RESOLVED, That the Committee confirm, on behalf of the City Corporation as Trustee, that the register appended to the report satisfactorily sets out the key risks to the Keats House charity and that appropriate systems are in place to identify and mitigate risks. 

Rachel L

Members heard an update from the Director of Barbican and Community Libraries on the National Year of Reading that has the theme ‘Go all in’, focussing on in-depth reading.

Members noted these points:

-        City of London libraries are compiling an activity programme around the initiative;

-        As one of the sponsors of National Year of Reading, KPMG are exploring support mechanisms around the initiative within the City of London including via the City’s Read to Succeed scheme and the Read On app; and

-        Opportunities to be a Community reading champion are likely to be available during 2026.   

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk updating Members on the development of the Cultural Strategy including the founding commitments and priorities that have emerged from the extensive stakeholder consultation undertaken. Members noted that the proposal for the next phase of development is to further share these priorities in engagement sessions with corporates, SMEs and other relevant stakeholders, particularly the cultural institutions and the BIDs, in the Square Mile to further test the commitments and priorities in order to support their planning and implement their delivery.

Referencing section 19 of the report in particular, a Member asked for a timeframe of the next steps especially around stakeholder engagement and the sharing of the draft cultural strategy. The meeting noted that a detailed action and implementation plan is to be included within the strategy that is expected to be drafted by February 2026, and that the CoLC is expecting to further explore corporate involvement in the strategy with the support of the Committee’s Chair and Deputy Chair, and that context and narrative is expected to flesh out the strategy’s foundations with a full draft strategy available by April 2026.

Members commended the focus on a forward-looking vision and scope, noting the potential for over-consultation to dilute the ambition and optimism of an effective strategy.

Members noted that no further work will be undertaken with Things Made Public.  

RESOLVED, That Members

1.     Approve the foundational commitments and priorities one to eleven;

2.     Approve the hierarchy of priorities as: foundational commitments and priorities, opportunities, and additional considerations; and

3.     Approve the next stage of development of the Cultural Strategy: the implementation plan based on the foundational commitments and priorities.

The Committee heard an update from The Audience Agency, noting the following points:

-        Significant amounts of data have been analysed from a range of data sources including panel surveys;

-        10% of visitors to the City come specifically for the cultural offer;

-        12% of visitors to the City are international visitors;

-        A large-scale panel survey revealed differences between different audiences seeking ‘hidden gem’ offers and those seeking high-profile offers;

-        Indicative findings on City workers’ responses to the cultural offer are valuable;

-        A large proportion of City residents (over 80%) are highly engaged in the City’s cultural offer;

-        Stage 3 and 4 of the research are in progress that will result in a final report that matches findings with priorities together with a top-line audience strategy; and

-        Audience segmentation data suggests that there are nine different people groupings covering various levels of engagement.

A Member asked for an assessment of the appeal of a programme like Sculpture in the City to specific audiences. The meeting heard that the programme is likely to appeal to several audience segments, and that communication could be differentially targeted to those groups.

Commenting on the ‘metro-cultural’ element of City residents, a Member commented that many residents on the City’s periphery do not have the spending power of those highly engaged residents. The meeting heard that less wealthy and less engaged residents are more receptive to community-driven initiatives and outdoor arts events, and these residents were involved in the research.  

A Member asked for more information on the international visitors. The Committee heard that research undertaken by the London Museum and Destination City is available on those visitors, and that indicative information on those visitors using existing data will be encompassed in any final report.

A Member asked for clarity

There were no questions.

The Committee congratulated Elizabeth Scott, Head of Guildhall Art Gallery and Amphitheatre, on being awarded the Changemaker Award.

Members were asked to forward potential guest names to the executive in respect of the Committee’s evening event in February 2026.

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 22 September 2025.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of 22 September 2025.

To receive the report of the Executive Director Environment

Monument – City’s Estate funded

The Committee received the report of the Executive Director, Environment.