Agenda and minutes

The apologies of those Members unable to attend this meeting of the Court were noted.

There were no additional declarations.

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 10 September 2020.

Resolved – That the minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded, subject to the following amendments:-

• Angus Knowles-Cutler, and Alderwoman Susan Langley be recorded as having been in attendance.
• On page 14, under Item 13, the reference to Adrian Bostock be corrected to Adrian Bastow, and the reference to Deputy John Bradshaw be corrected to Deputy David Bradshaw.

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to lay before the Court a letter declaring his assent to take upon himself continued Office.

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor laid before the Court a letter declaring his

assent to take upon himself continued office.

There were no resolutions.

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent overseas visits.

The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor took the opportunity to update the Court on his virtual engagement programme.

To receive a statement from the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee.

The Chair of Policy and Resources Committee outlined a number of key items for the coming period, including next steps for the Governance Review and the ongoing implications of the COVID response.

There were no docquets for the Seal.

To consider a circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City.

The Chamberlain, in pursuance of the Order of this Court, presented a list of the under-mentioned persons who had made applications to be admitted to the Freedom of the City by Redemption.

To:-

·         Provide for the date of next ordinary Common Council elections being postponed from 18 March 2021 until 23 March 2022.

(Third and Final Reading).

Together with a report of the Policy and Resources Committee thereon.

Bill for an Act of Common Council: Common Council Elections

A Bill for an Act of Common Council, to provide for the date of the next ordinary Common Council elections being postponed from 18 March 2021 until 23 March 2022, was presented to the Court for its third reading, together with a report of the Policy and Resources Committee thereon.

Resolved – That the report be agreed to and that the Bill be read a third time, do

pass into Law and do become an Act of Common Council.

To receive a report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation.

The Court received a report on measure introduced by Parliament which might have

an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-

To consider the following appointments:-

(A)         Two Members on the Planning and Transportation Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.

Nominations received:-

Helen Lesley Fentimen, O.B.E.

Michael Hudson

William Pimlott

(B)         One Member on the City Bridge Trust Committee, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2024.

Nominations received:-

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

Deputy James Henry George Pollard

Jeremy Lewis Simons

(C)         Eight Members on the Community and Children’s Services Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.

Nominations received:-

Mark Bostock

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees and

Outside Bodies:-

(A)  Two Members on the Planning and Transportation Committee, for the

balance of terms expiring in April 2021.

Nominations received:-

Helen Lesley Fentimen, O.B.E.

Michael Hudson

William Pimlott

Read

(B)  One Member on the City Bridge Trust Committee, for the balance of a term

expiring in April 2023.

Nominations received:-

Judith Lindsay Pleasance

Deputy James Henry George Pollard

Jeremy Lewis Simons

Read

(C) Eight Members on the Community and Children’s Services Committee, for

the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.

Nominations received:-

Mark Bostock

Read

Planning Regime Reform

Graeme Harrower asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, asking whether she would commit to bringing recommendations to the Court proposing that the City of London Corporation‘s planning regime be reformed so as to comply with the recommendations made in the recently published Transparency International UK report relating to planning governance.

Responding, the Chair advised that she would be happy to discuss the recommendations with the Chairman of Planning and Transportation and whether the City of London Corporation should make any changes to current practice based on them; however, she did not feel it was appropriate to commit to bringing recommendations at this point in time. She also suggested that any changes should be incorporated as part of the wider governance review process following the Lisvane Review.

Graeme Harrower asked a supplementary question, querying whether two specific proposals could be committed to, namely implementing the measure concerning transparency of meetings with developers, and the measure relating Members who had connections with the property industry being made ineligible to sit on the Planning and Transportation Committee. He suggested that a failure to make such a commitment would justify views outside the Guildhall that the City Corporation was not a fit body to exercise the functions of a public authority.

In reply, the Chair reiterated her undertaking to discuss the matter with the Chair of Planning and Transportation in the first instance. She challenged the assertion that the City Corporation was not a fit body to carry out its planning functions, suggesting that the assertion was unfounded and inappropriate.  She noted the legal duty to promote high standards of conduct and to manage conflicts of interest to that high level, observing that the City complied fully with all relevant legal requirements. Should the Honourable

(A)  By Marianne Fredericks

To consider a Motion, submitted by Marianne Fredericks, concerning the implementation of a new standards regime.

For Decision

(Pages XX – XX)

(B)  By Natasha Lloyd-Owen

To consider a Motion, submitted by Natasha Lloyd-Owen, concerning the declaration of a climate emergency and associated actions.

For Decision

(Pages XX – XX)

Motion – “That this Honourable Court resolves that the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee begins the implementation of the recommendations made in Part 8 of Lord Lisvane’s Report by presenting a detailed report on a new standards regime to the Policy and Resources Committee which then presents a detailed report on that regime to the Court at its meeting in January 2021, with a view to the regime being implemented by the end of March 2021 at the latest.”

Marianne Fredericks spoke to introduce the Motion, reminding Members of the significant agreement amongst Members at the June meeting of the Court that reform of the standards regime was needed. She noted that Lord Lisvane’s Governance Review recommendations in relation to this matter had now been submitted and urged that they be taken forward as a matter of priority. Barbara Newman seconded the motion, concurring that reform was well overdue and observing that the Motion provided a manageable and realistic timetable for change.

Amendment – That the word “regimes” in the penultimate line of the Motion be deleted and replaced with “the regime’s system for handling complaints”.

During debate, it was noted that the work currently handled by the Standards Committee went further than simply complaints and it was suggested that an amendment could be beneficial to allow for a focus on that particular area of concern and mitigate against the risk of other issues preventing progress from being made. The Mover and Seconder of the Motion confirmed their willingness to accept this amendment, whereupon the Lord Mayor declared the Amendment to be carried.

Members proceeded to debate the Motion as amended.

Whilst expressing support for the aims of the Motion, concerns were raised that the wording in its current format had the effect of accepting Lord Lisvane’s findings as unquestionably correct.

There was no report.

To consider reports of the Policy and Resources Committee, as follows:-

(A)Climate Action Strategy – to consider the adoption of a Climate Action Strategy.

For Decision

24 September 2020

(A)          (A) Climate Action Strategy

The Court considered proposals relating to the adoption of a scoped and costed Climate Action Strategy for the City of London Corporation.  

The Chair spoke to introduce the report, commending it as a hallmark strategy which would form the basis of the City’s global, political and community engagement for years to come.

It was noted that the Strategy would affect City Fund, City Cash, and Bridge House Estates; consequently, Members would need to mindful of their roles in respect of the City Corporation funds and as Trustees of Bridge House Estates when considering the proposals.

Several Members spoke in support of the report, advocating the importance of its data-driven and science-based targets, ensuring they were pragmatic, deliverable and would facilitate real and demonstrable impact. The ability to tackle Scope 3 emissions was commented on in particular, with Members noting that the Strategy represented a leadership moment for the City, bringing Climate Action on a par with Green Finance, where the City was already a global leader. The focus on buildings was also commended, with it observed that the City’s property portfolio represented its largest single source of carbon emissions and so action here was particularly impactful.

Amendment – That the following wording be appended to the second recommendation of the report: “with a commitment that the amount of funding agreed in the Climate Action Strategy will be protected, regardless of changes in funding sources.”

During debate on the Amendment, several Members expressed reservations in respect of making open-ended commitments on future funding, noting that there were robust mechanisms within the Strategy to ensure the right resources were allocated to various activities and that needs and achievements were kept under constant review.

Motion – That the Question be now put.

Upon the Motion

(B) Bridge House Estates Strategy – to consider the adoption of a new strategy for Bridge House Estates, Bridging London 2020-45.

For Decision

24 September 2020

(B)          (B) Bridge House Estates Strategy: Bridging London 2020-2045

The Court considered the adoption of a new Bridge House Estates (BHE) Strategy: Bridging London, 2020 – 2045. The proposed strategy represented an exciting moment in BHE’s long history, providing a framework for all of the charity’s activities and outlining the collective impact it wished to have through its primary and ancillary objects. It also set out a new vision for the charity where ‘every person in London becomes truly connected’, and outlined three new aims to be: catalytic, sustainable and impact driven. A high-level implementation plan for the strategy was also presented.

Resolved – That the Court of Common Council, acting collectively in BHE’s (charity no. 1035628) best interests:-

1.         Approves the proposed final version of the charity’s overarching Strategy: Bridging London, 2020-2045, for the City of London Corporation as Trustee of the charity.

2.         Approves the high-level implementation plan for the Strategy: Bridging London, 2020-2045.

Motion – That, in accordance with Standing Order 2, Standing Order 16 be suspended to allow for the meeting to continue.

Upon the Motion being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be carried.

Resolved – That, in accordance with Standing Order 2, Standing Order 16 be suspended to allow for the meeting to continue.

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Brian Desmond Francis Mooney, Chief Commoner)

8 October 2020

Applications for Hospitality

(A) Hanukkah Reception

It was proposed that the City Corporation host an early evening reception on 16

December 2020 to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The reception would

provide an opportunity to celebrate the City Corporation’s historic links with the Jewish community, demonstrate the City Corporation’s commitment to bringing together different communities, and promote London as an inclusive, diverse and multi-faith City. The event would take place in a manner that is consistent with any COVID-related restrictions that might be in place.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception and

that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(b) Annual Reception for Volunteers

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception for volunteers on 22 March 2021. This annual reception provided an opportunity to thank individuals who

gave up their time voluntarily for the City Corporation and would have particular importance next year given the high level of volunteering in relation to the COVID pandemic. The event would take place in a manner that was consistent with any COVID-related restrictions that might be in place.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

Resolved – That

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Resolved - that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of

business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt

information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local

Government Act, 1972.

Summary of exempt items considered whilst the public were excluded:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 10 September 2020.

Resolved – That the non-public minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

To consider proposals in relation to the redevelopment of Bastion House.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals in relation to the redevelopment of Bastion House.

To consider an employment matter.

City of London Police Authority Board

The Court approved an extension to the Commissioner of the City Police’s appointment.

To consider reports of the Property Investment Board, as follows:-

Property Investment Board

The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures in respect of:

(A)   a freehold purchase; and

(B)   a major property refurbishment.

(A)Report of Urgent Action Taken: Freehold Purchase – to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the purchase of a freehold.

For Information

(B) Report of Action Taken: Property Refurbishment - To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to a major refurbishment project.

For Information

The Court approved proposals in relation to employment matters.