Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Karina Dostolova, Caroline Haines, Wendy Mead, Jason Groves, Alethea Silk, and James St John Davis. 

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting of 03 November 2025 and review the actions.

RESOLVED, That the minutes of the meeting of 03 November 2025 be approved as an accurate record.

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

The Committee noted the forward plan.

The Committee asked that updates on the Billingsgate Baths be submitted to the Committee (see action point).

On the event scheduled to take place on 05 February 2026, Members asked what communication plan is in place to share ahead of the event. The meeting noted that a narrative will be drafted for the event. Members also noted that the final cultural strategy has not yet been approved by the Committee though a range of proposed strategies is already in the public domain, some elements of which may be communicated, the fundamentals of the strategy having been agreed and in the public domain. Members agreed that a briefing will be provided ahead of the 05 February event.

In response to a question on the timeframe for the cultural strategy launch, Members heard that the strategy is expected to be launched in May 2026 subject to any amendments.

Noting the recent state visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany in early December 2025, a Member asked that closer engagement with Remembrancer’s take place on similar events to ensure that the cultural impact be exploited, and asked whether the Committee is expecting to be engaged with events around the 250^th anniversary of American independence in 2026. The meeting noted that discussions are ongoing with the SLT to ensure that culture is an integral part of proceedings and speeches, noting also that work is ongoing with Remembrancer’s to ensure that American independence events are foregrounded.  

In response to question on the nature of the February 2026 event, the meeting heard that the event replaces the Committee’s annual dinner and is focussed on inviting as many external stakeholders as possible.

A Member asked for more detail on the Forward Plan on some procedural elements.

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

RESOLVED, That the Committee:

1. Approve the Francis Barber Blue Plaque Proposal
2. Approve the George Sandeman & Co Blue Plaque Proposal
3. Reject the John Amos Comenius Blue Plaque Proposal

Members noted that any approval is also subject to any additional necessary permissions gained from environmental health, planning and highways.

In response to a Member query on the apparent shape of the Sandeman plaque, the Committee noted that the plaque’s shape will be confirmed (see action point).

On the Comenius plaque, a Member pointed out that there is merit in further exploration of the determination of the house’s location and the period during which Comenius was at the location, noting the significance of Comenius in a range of historical events. Members also noted that discussions had taken place on the under-representation of women in blue plaque decisions.

A Member raised the matter of a Benjamin Franklin plaque, and asked whether a plaque could be expedited in time for the 250^th anniversary of American independence. The meeting heard that a Franklin proposal for the City could be incorporated into a new blue plaque process to be presented to the Committee in early 2026.

Members congratulated the executive on clearing the backlog of blue plaque applications.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

Referencing section 28 of the report, Members commented that it would be beneficial for elected Members to be on any CIC Board for reputational risk reasons among others (as discussed at previous meetings), noting also that quality control would be dealt with via the planning process and the City Arts Initiative (CAI). The Committee noted that the matter of CoL Member representation would be clearly and explicitly presented to the Policy & Resources Committee.

Referencing section 26 of the report (CAI panel) the meeting noted that the governance structure of the CAI will remain unchanged, and any new process will ensure that the Committee’s requirements are met. 

A Member sought further clarification on the establishment, finances, process, risk management and timescale of a CIC. The meeting noted the following:

• There is no recent example of a CIC being established (noting the example set out in sections 33 and 34);
• The timescale will be a factor in the planning stage;
• Partners are supportive of the model set out in the report, with fundraising frameworks set out in section 31 of the report;
• The move from the in-principle approval to the operational detail is to take place via the Delegated Authority process (as per point 2 below);
• Actual approval to establish a CIC (or other entity) will need to take place at the level of the Corporation’s Policy & Resources Committee  

RESOLVED, That the Committee approve Option 3 as set out in the report: transfer SITC ownership, management and operational delivery to an external entity in the form of a Community Interest Company (or other legal structure). In doing so, Members agreed to:

1. Approve the in-principle transfer of the SITC project to a new Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee or other legal

To receive the report of The Chamberlain, Deputy Town Clerk, Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, City Surveyors and the Executive Director of Environment.

Declan Greaves  

The Committee received the report of The Chamberlain, Deputy Town Clerk, Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, City Surveyors, and Executive Director of Environment setting out the Quarter 2 estimated outturn for the Committee, noting in particular these two points:

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

RESOLVED, That the Committee approve the Barbican Sculpture Court Installation – Delcy Morelos.

The Committee noted that Rebecca Salter, the first female President of the Royal Academy of Arts, will be awarded the Freedom of the City of London on 05 February 2026.

A Member commented on an apparently inappropriate installation close to the Keats statue at Moorgate and asked whether planning permission from the BID was obtained. The meeting heard that clarification would be sought.

On the 11 foundational commitments and priorities agreed on 11 November 2025, a Member suggested the establishment of a Culture Fund as a further 12th priority, separate to commitment 9.

Members agreed the proposal, and also suggested that it should be brought to the attention of the Education Board to explore complementarity in delivering cultural priorities – noting in particular commitment number 10 (‘Open the City’s culture to London’s classrooms’).

RESOLVED, That an additional commitment be agreed, whose wording is as follows:

FUNDING: IMPLEMENTING AND DELIVERING THE CULTURAL STRATEGY

Establishment of a cultural fund to assist with the facilitation and implementation of these foundational commitments and priorities.

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 meeting of 03 November 2025 and review the actions.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the meeting of 03 November 2025.