Agenda and draft minutes

Resolved: - That the minutes of the special Court of Aldermen meeting held on 8th November 2024 were correctly recorded.

[The minutes of the Court of Common Council were on the table.]

Resolved : - That this Court wishes to convey to,

Alderman Professor Michael Raymond Mainelli

its warmest thanks for the noteworthy manner in which he has carried out the role of Lord Mayor of this City.

Throughout Michael’s year, he has rigorously championed his Mayoral Theme, ‘Connect to Prosper’, an initiative focused on harnessing the City’s vast knowledge ecosystem - encompassing over 40 learned societies, 70 higher education institutions, and 130 research institutes, in and around the City. Connect to Prosper has brought together thought leaders from the scientific, academic and business worlds to demonstrate the City’s strengths in solving global challenges. The Mayoral theme has showcased the City’s leadership role as the ‘world’s coffeehouse’, where connections between people, firms and institutions lead to new ideas and inventions that are intended to benefit all. Particular mention must be made of the Ethical AI Initiative which has seen more than 6,000 participants in 60 countries take the 12 hour course, the signing of the ‘Walbrook AI Accord’ by representatives of 38 countries, and the development of the ‘Coffee House Consensus’, drafted with the input of firms representing more than $32 trillion in assets under management.

Other initiatives have included work alongside the 56 nations of the Commonwealth to issue a Common Space report supporting the Space Debris Removal Insurance Bonds proposal, Smart Economy Networks, Constructing Science, Sustainable Finance, and GALENOS for mental health research. Michael has also initiated 100 ‘Knowledge Mile’ lectures, 25 ‘Coffee Colloquies’, various science experiments, and the City Carbon Credit Cancellation Service – we congratulate him on the enthusiasm and commitment with which he has delivered such a full and varied programme.

Michael has served as the City of London’s 695th Lord Mayor, but is the first American and Italian citizen to hold the role. We know that

There were no resolutions.

The Bridgemasters, Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson and Susan Elizabeth Patterson Threader, made the prescribed declaration under the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 for the due

execution of the Office.

The Chamberlain presented the names of one hundred and sixty four persons to be made free of this City, and it is Ordered that they be admitted into the Freedom of this City accordingly, as follows:-

Name                                  Occupation                     Address                              Company

Emanuel Hospital Charity

The Court of Aldermen considered recommendations of its General Purposes Committee on the Emanuel Hospital Charity’s financial position as at the most recent year end (2023/24) and in the period to date (5 months to 31 August 2024), with a forecast for the remainder of the 2024/25 financial year alongside a cash flow forecast from 2024/25 up to 2031/32.

Resolved: -  That, the Aldermen, acting collectively for the City of London Corporation as the charity trustee and only in the best interests of Emanuel Hospital:

i.          Approve the contents of the financial update report and Appendices.

ii.          Approve the draft Trustee’s annual report and financial statements which have now  been independently examined, and direct that they be signed by the Chairman of the Emanuel Hospital Management Sub-Committee and the Chamberlain under delegated authority.

Resolved Unanimously:- That the Court of Hustings NOTE the appointment by the Lord Mayor of Caroline Haines as Deputy Gauger for his Mayoralty.

At the conclusion of the Court of Hustings, the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens wished all members of the Court, the High Officers, and all others present or observing the meeting online, a very happy festive period.