Agenda and minutes

Resolved – That the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

The Town Clerk reported that the Lord Mayor was unable to attend the Court as he was overseas, whereupon, this day was produced and read in Court a Warrant signed by the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor appointing a locum tenens to transact all the business appertaining to the Office of Mayoralty of this City during his absence.

Gregory Alfred Lawrence, lately elected to be of the Common Council, for the Ward of Farringdon Without, was introduced to the Court and having previously made the declaration prescribed by the Promissory Oaths Act 1868, took his seat.

The Chief Commoner welcomed Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli to his first meeting of the Court of Common Council.

Alderman Professor Mainelli was heard in reply.

There was no report.

Resolved unanimously - That the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to

Deputy Richard David Regan

on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the City of London Corporation and for voluntary service in London.

Deputy Richard Regan was heard in reply.

Resolved - That the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to –

the new Director of Community and Children’s Services,

Ade Adetosoye,

on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to children and young people.

and to

Bryn Aldridge,

the former Trading Standards and Veterinary Services Director, with particular responsibility for the Animal Reception Centre,on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to the City of London Corporation and to the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Resolved - That on the occasion of his retirement from the City of London Corporation, this Honourable Court wishes to place on record it's great appreciation of the work, over nearly four decades, of

Peter John Nelson,

a career culminating in twenty years as Assistant Town Clerk.

As a new Councilman or Alderman, the first face you see, and one of the most welcoming, is Peter's. If you listen to his advice you won't go far wrong. Peter is the epitome of what we, as Members, appreciate and value in a Corporation Officer. He has many virtues but in particular he is a good listener. He has been our mentor, our guide and our adviser and his wise, but firm, counsel has kept many of us on the straight and narrow.

Peter's understanding of the organisation is priceless. He has supported this Honourable Court through many decades and knows more about the Corporation than most of us here in Guildhall. He is one of those rare individuals who really cares very much about his work and has played a significant role in ensuring that the City Corporation holds the status that it does today. He has become an institution within an institution!

We particularly commend Peter in his building of a strong relationship with the Livery, establishing good communication and a firm foundation for the future. His crowning glory must be his enjoyable and memorable speeches to Common Hall.

In his private life, Peter is a great traveller and this has occasionally led to a few close shaves! For those of you who do not know, this is mainly linked to his lifetime interest in aviation. We were always relieved to see him returned to us safe and sound.

We welcome the opportunity to pay a wholehearted and sincere tribute

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee updated the Court on current issues concerning Britain’s position in the European Union and the impact of that on the City of London.

He explained that the Policy and Resources Committee had considered the matter in some detail at a recent meeting and agreed key messages, informed by business, that would guide the City’s dialogue on Europe in the future, namely:-

·        promoting London to policy makers as Europe’s international financial and business centre;

·        explaining the role of financial and professional services in supporting the wider economy;

·        that Europe needed to reform to be more competitive in the global economy;

·        strengthen and complete the Single Market; and

·        that the UK needed to be fully engaged in EU policy making.

He added that the Committee had also agreed that the strategy on engagement with Europe should be based on six key aims:-

·        greater engagement with EU institutions;

·        greater engagement with EU Member States;

·        dialogue around the City’s role as Europe’s international financial and business centre, and its role in the wider European and global economy;

·        contributing evidence to the debate on the economic benefits and costs to the UK of membership of the EU, and vice versa;

·        working with third parties, such as think tanks, political groups and business organisations, to provide forums to make the case for the importance of the Single Market to the UK; and

·       facilitating the debate with third parties such as CBI, on the reform agenda to support City and wider European economic competitiveness.

Sundry documents were sealed with the Hospital Seal.

(A list of names, together with those of the nominators, has been separately circulated).

The Chamberlain, in pursuance of the Orders of this Court, presented a list of the under-mentioned persons who had made application to be admitted to the Freedom of this City by redemption:-

* denotes appointed.

(a)   One Member on the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

Votes

John Fletcher                                              51 *

James Henry George Pollard, Deputy          49

(b)   One Member on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry for the balance of a term to expire in January 2014.

Votes

Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C.                         50*

Judith Lindsay Pleasance                            48

(c)   One Member on the Standards Committee for the balance of a term to expire in April 2016.

Votes

Nigel Kenneth Challis                                  57 *

Henry Nicholas Almroth Colthurst                 30

Ann Marjorie Francescia Pembroke              12

(d)   One Member on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for a three year term to expire in April 2016.

Votes

Ann Holmes                                                45

Jeremy Paul Mayhew, M.A., M.B.A.             57*

(a)   One Member on the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

Votes

John Fletcher                                              51

James Henry George Pollard, Deputy          49

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared John Fletcher to have been appointed on the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Associationfor a term expiring in May 2016.

(b)   One Member on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry.

Votes

Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C.                         50

Judith Lindsay Pleasance                            48

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared that Gregory Jones be appointed to serve on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry for the balance of a term to expire in January 2014.

(c)   One Member on the Standards Committee.

Votes

Nigel Kenneth Challis                                  57

Henry Nicholas Almroth Colthurst                 30

Ann Marjorie Francescia Pembroke              12

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared that Nigel Challis be appointed to serve on the Standards Committee for the balance of a term to expire in April 2016.

(d)   One Member on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Votes

Ann Holmes                                                45

Jeremy Paul Mayhew, M.A., M.B.A.             57

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared that Jeremy Mayhew be appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for a three year term to expire in April 2016.

Alex Bain Stewart asked the Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee about Crossrail funding commitments.

In response, the Chairman reported that the City Corporation had made two funding commitments towards the Crossrail project; firstly a direct contribution of £200m from the City Fund during the period 2016 to 2018 and secondly to seek contributions totalling £150m from London businesses, with the first £50m being guaranteed by the Corporation from City’s Cash. He confirmed that according to forecasts, sufficient capital receipts would be generated to fund the Crossrail commitment of £200m and that the earliest date for payment was estimated to be 31 March 2016. He added that the forecast was dependent upon the delivery of £114.4m capital receipts from the sale of Crossrail investment properties, of which £58.1m had been received to date. He reminded Members that at the Court meeting in March 2013 Members were advised that there was an expected shortfall of £6.2m in expected receipts. However, since then, forecasts show that this gap had reduced to £5.2m and with three years yet to run, officers would seek to address this shortfall within the present Crossrail funding strategy. He indicated that the intention had always been that the Treasury would assist with the raising of contributions from London businesses and negotiations were on-going with both the Treasury and with Transport for London to facilitate that and to identify potential schemes that would lend themselves towards business contributions.

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Bain Stewart, the Chairman stated that although he was reasonably confident that the anticipated sums would be achieved, regular monitoring of the situation would continue and reports would be submitted to the relevant Committees accordingly.

Motion – ‘That Emma Price be appointed on the Markets Committee in place of Wendy Mead;

That Wendy Mead be appointed on the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee in place of Emma Price and on the Community and Children’s Services Committee in place of Deputy Alex Deane;

That Adam Richardson be appointed on the Finance Committee in place of Edward Lord;

That Greg Lawrence be appointed on the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee in place of Wendy Mead;

That Henry Jones be appointed on the Markets Committee in place of Edward Lord; and, lastly, that Edward Lord be appointed on the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee in place of Julian Malins, who was now an Alderman and on the Community and Children’s Services Committee in place of Adam Richardson?’

A number of Members were heard in objection to the proposals and the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee undertook to ask his Committee to review how and when appointments to Ward Committees were made and also to review the Standing Orders that govern this procedure.

Amendment – ‘That leave be sought to withdraw the Motion’.

Upon the question being put, the Lord Mayor declared the amendment not to be carried.

The original Motion being before the Court again,

Resolved – That the Motion be not carried.

There was no report.

(Michael Welbank, Deputy)

25 June 2013

Consultation on City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule

Your Committee seeks approval to the City of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule, to the supporting material to be issued for its second round of public consultation and to its submission for public inspection before adoption in early 2014.

The CIL is a statutory charge on new development which has been designed to help fund the provision of new infrastructure and replaces the existing approach of Section 106 planning obligations.  The charge was introduced in the Planning Act 2008, as amended by the Localism Act 2011.

The first of the two rounds of public consultation on the preliminary draft charging schedule took place between March and May 2013 and no objections, requiring significant changes, were received.  Therefore, the draft charging schedule retains the original proposed CIL rates applicable for increases in floor space as follows:-

o   £75 per square metre City-wide for commercial development;

o   £95 per square metre for residential development; and

o   £150 per square metre for residential development on the riverside.

The draft charging schedule is supported by the following documents in accordance with the CIL preparation regulations: -

o   an Infrastructure Delivery Plan to show the scale of new infrastructure that will be part-funded by CIL; 

o   an Economic Viability Study to show that the proposed CIL rates will not impact adversely on the general viability of development in the City; 

o   a ‘Regulation 123’ List setting out the types of infrastructure that will be part-funded by CIL;  and

o   Planning Obligations options paper showing how planning obligations might be scaled back upon the introduction of CIL. 

A copy of the City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule and the supporting documents can be

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

(Michael Welbank, Deputy)

25 June 2013

Consultation on City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule

Your Committee seeks approval to the City of London’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule, to the supporting material to be issued for its second round of public consultation and to its submission for public inspection before adoption in early 2014.

The CIL is a statutory charge on new development which has been designed to help fund the provision of new infrastructure and replaces the existing approach of Section 106 planning obligations.  The charge was introduced in the Planning Act 2008, as amended by the Localism Act 2011.

The first of the two rounds of public consultation on the preliminary draft charging schedule took place between March and May 2013 and no objections, requiring significant changes, were received.  Therefore, the draft charging schedule retains the original proposed CIL rates applicable for increases in floor space as follows:-

o   £75 per square metre City-wide for commercial development;

o   £95 per square metre for residential development; and

o   £150 per square metre for residential development on the riverside.

The draft charging schedule is supported by the following documents in accordance with the CIL preparation regulations: -

o   an Infrastructure Delivery Plan to show the scale of new infrastructure that will be part-funded by CIL;  

o   an Economic Viability Study to show that the proposed CIL rates will not impact adversely on the general viability of development in the City; 

o   a ‘Regulation 123’ List setting out the types of infrastructure that will be part-funded by CIL;  and

o   Planning Obligations options paper showing how planning obligations might be scaled back upon the introduction of CIL. 

A copy of the City of London Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule and the

(James Henry George Pollard)

24 May 2013

POLICE COMMITTEE

(James Henry George Pollard)

24 May 2013

Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police 

We submit for the information of the Court, the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police for 2012/2013 which has been printed and circulated.

Received.

(George Marr Flemington Gillon, Chief Commoner)

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(George Marr Flemington Gillon)

7 June, 21 June, 4 July 2013

4 July 2013

In early November 2013 the President of the Republic of Korea, Her Excellency Park Guen-hye, will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as a guest of Her Majesty The Queen.

We recommend that on the occasion of her State Visit to this country, an invitation be extended to Her Excellency Park Guen-hye to honour the City of London Corporation by accepting an Address of Welcome in a suitable box and that she be further asked to accept an invitation to attend a Banquet to be given in her honour in Guildhall on Wednesday, 6th November 2013: it being referred to a Ward Reception Committee, the members of which will be set out in a separately printed and circulated report, to make the necessary arrangements within approved cost parameters, provision for which is contained within the relevant City’s Cash budget and that the Town Clerk be authorised to make changes to the membership of the Committee, in accordance with the rota, if necessary.

(This would be a full Court event.)

In early November 2013 the President of the Republic of Korea, Her Excellency Park Guen-hye, will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom as a guest of Her Majesty The Queen.

We recommend that on the occasion of her State Visit to this country, an invitation be extended to Her Excellency Park Guen-hye to honour the City of London Corporation by accepting an Address of Welcome in a suitable box and that she be further asked to accept an invitation to attend a Banquet to be given in her honour in Guildhall on Wednesday, 6th November 2013; it being referred to a Ward Reception Committee, the members of which will be set out in a separately printed and circulated report, to make the necessary arrangements within approved cost parameters, provision for which is contained within the relevant City’s Cash budget and that the Town Clerk be authorised to make changes to the membership of the Committee, in accordance with the rota, if necessary.

(This would be a full Court event).

Read and agreed to.

30 May 2013

On 19th June 2013 the Prime Minister of Japan gave a keynote address at Guildhall. We report, for information, action taken as a matter of urgency, pursuant to Standing Order No.19, in approving arrangements for the City of London Corporation to host an early evening reception for 200 guests thereafter.

The event provided an opportunity for the City of London Corporation to strengthen its engagement with key Japanese institutions and City businesses with strong trade and investment links.

The arrangements for this event were placed in the hands of the Policy and Resources Committee with the cost being met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

(This was a Committee event.)

30 May 2013

On 19th June 2013 the Prime Minister of Japan gave a keynote address at Guildhall. We report, for information, action taken as a matter of urgency, pursuant to Standing Order No.19, in approving arrangements for the City of London Corporation to host an early evening reception for 200 guests thereafter.

The event provided an opportunity for the City of London Corporation to strengthen its engagement with key Japanese institutions and City businesses with strong trade and investment links.

The arrangements for this event were placed in the hands of the Policy and Resources Committee with the cost being met from City’s Cash and within the approved cost parameters.

(This was a Committee event).

Received.

In October 2013, the Household Cavalry will return to the UK from their fifth and final scheduled regimental deployment to Afghanistan since 2006.  The Household Cavalry would like to exercise their Privilege to march through the City “with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed” on Wednesday 9th April 2014.

The last time they exercised this historic right was in 1995, when all the City’s Privileged Regiments were entertained at Guildhall following a march through the City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

We consider that the City should invite the Household Cavalry, including the Band and family members, to a lunchtime reception in Guildhall to recognise the Household Cavalry’s heritage and its contribution and support to both the civic and ceremonial life of the City. Other guests would include a Member of the Royal Family, Colonels of the Regiment, Livery Companies with connections with the Regiment and representatives from the other Privileged Regiments.

We recommend accordingly and that the arrangements be left in the hands of the Hospitality Working Party; the cost being met from City’s Cash, within the approved cost parameters.

(This would be a full Court event.)

In October 2013, the Household Cavalry will return to the UK from their fifth and final scheduled regimental deployment to Afghanistan since 2006.  The Household Cavalry would like to exercise their Privilege to march through the City “with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed” on Wednesday 9th April 2014.

The last time they exercised this historic right was in 1995, when all the City’s Privileged Regiments were entertained at Guildhall following a march through the City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

We consider that the City should invite the Household Cavalry, including the Band and family members, to a lunchtime reception in Guildhall to recognise the Household Cavalry’s heritage and its contribution and support to both the civic and ceremonial life of the City. Other guests would include a Member of the Royal Family, Colonels of the Regiment, Livery Companies with connections with the Regiment and representatives from the other Privileged Regiments.

We recommend accordingly and that the arrangements be left in the hands of the Hospitality Working Party; the cost being met from City’s Cash, within the approved cost parameters.

(This would be a full Court event).

Read and agreed to.

(Deputy John Barker, OBE)

20^th June 2013

Pay Award 2013

Each year, the recognised Trade Unions submit a pay claim on behalf of the staff to take effect from the 1^st July in that year. Due to financial pressures across the organisation and the Government’s public sector pay policy, the last consolidated pay award was made in 2009 when a 1% increase on basic pay was made to all staff excluding Chief Officers. This was agreed on the basis of productivity savings including the removal of up to three days protected annual leave by the end of 2012.

In 2010, there was no pay award to staff. In 2011, under the government’s public sector pay policy, the City made a one-off non-consolidated payment of £250 to staff in grades A-B who are the lowest paid staff within the organisation. 2012 saw a small increase to London Weighting for all staff below Chief Officer Grade.

This year the Establishment Committee felt able to make an across the board Pay Award of 1% to all staff. This offer was put to Trade Union representatives and, in the course of the discussions, which were extremely positive and constructive, the union representatives put forward some alternative proposals which they asked the City Corporation to consider. Their initial request was to consider a 1.25% increase in salaries. After some discussion, they requested that consideration be given to a 1% uplift, to moving Grade A up by one spine point (from £12,260 - £13,400 to £12,650 - £13,810) and to using the 0.25% differential to add to London Weighting.

These proposals are felt to have merit as they ‘bottom load’ the pay award to staff in the lowest grades which general across the board percentage increases fail to do. In addition, adding extra

ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE

(Deputy John Barker, OBE)

20^th June 2013

Pay Award 2013

Each year, the recognised Trade Unions submit a pay claim on behalf of the staff to take effect from the 1^st July in that year. Due to financial pressures across the organisation and the Government’s public sector pay policy, the last consolidated pay award was made in 2009 when a 1% increase on basic pay was made to all staff excluding Chief Officers. This was agreed on the basis of productivity savings including the removal of up to three days protected annual leave by the end of 2012.

In 2010, there was no pay award to staff. In 2011, under the government’s public sector pay policy, the City made a one-off non-consolidated payment of £250 to staff in grades A-B who are the lowest paid staff within the organisation. 2012 saw a small increase to London Weighting for all staff below Chief Officer Grade.

This year the Establishment Committee felt able to make an across the board Pay Award of 1% to all staff. This offer was put to Trade Union representatives and, in the course of the discussions, which were extremely positive and constructive, the union representatives put forward some alternative proposals which they asked the City Corporation to consider. Their initial request was to consider a 1.25% increase in salaries. After some discussion, they requested that consideration be given to a 1% uplift, to moving Grade A up by one spine point (from £12,260 - £13,400 to £12,650 - £13,810) and to using the 0.25% differential to add to London Weighting.

These proposals are felt to have merit as they ‘bottom load’ the pay award to staff in the lowest grades which general across the board percentage increases fail to do. In addition,

(Stuart John Fraser, CBE)

27 June 2013

City of London Freemen’s School – Masterplan Phase 1

We report for information action taken under Standing Order No. 19 approving additional expenditure in relation to phase 1 of the City of London Freemen’s School(CLFS) masterplan project works.

The CLFS masterplan project phase 1 works are 50% complete. A number of issues have arisen with this phase of the project which require additional building works. The total cost needed to progress the project amounts to £240,000, payable from the CLFS reserves. In addition, the project submission for phase 2 will not be considered until phase 1 is substantially complete so that the scope of the works can be more clearly identified.

It was necessary to use urgency procedures to approve these works to ensure that the completion of phase 1 does not result in long delays to the overall project.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE CITY OF LONDON FREEMEN'S SCHOOL

(Stuart John Fraser, CBE)

27 June 2013

City of London Freemen’s School – Masterplan Phase 1

We report for information action taken under Standing Order No. 19 approving additional expenditure in relation to phase 1 of the City of London Freemen’s School(CLFS) masterplan project works.

The CLFS masterplan project phase 1 works are 50% complete. A number of issues have arisen with this phase of the project which require additional building works. The total cost needed to progress the project amounts to £240,000, payable from the CLFS reserves. In addition, the project submission for phase 2 will not be considered until phase 1 is substantially complete so that the scope of the works can be more clearly identified.

It was necessary to use urgency procedures to approve these works to ensure that the completion of phase 1 does not result in long delays to the overall project.

Read and agreed to. 

(William Harry Dove, MBE, JP, Deputy)

6 June 2013

(A) The City Bridge Trust Committee - Terms of Reference - Amendments

When recently considering its Terms of Reference your Committee noted a difference between the wording in the Trust’s handbook for Members and the wording in the Terms of Reference under subsection (b)(iii) regarding the bodies to be consulted in the application of surplus income and it was agreed that the Terms of Reference should be updated, in accordance with the CyPres scheme, to reflect the wording as the Trust’s handbook.

It was also noted that, whilst the Chairman and Deputy Chairman had been involved in the recent appointment process for the Chief Grants Officer, the Terms of Reference did not currently provide for this.

We therefore recommend that The City Bridge Trust Committee’s Terms of Reference be amended as follows:-

a)              Subsection b (iii) be amended to read:

‘In considering the application of surplus income in accordance with clause 2 of the said Scheme, the Trustee shall consult with such person, bodies corporate, local authorities, government departments and agencies, charities, voluntary organisations and other bodies as the Trustee may think appropriate from time to time.’; and

b)              A subsection (c) be added as follows:-

‘To be involved in the process for the appointment of the Chief Grants Officer, as appropriate.’

Subject to the Court’s approval of these changes, the Committee’s Terms of Reference would read as follows:-

(a) To determine all applications for grants pursuant to the Cy Pres Scheme for the administration of the Charity known as the Bridge House Estates, made by the Charity Commissioners on 9 February 1995 and brought into effect by the Charities (The Bridge House Estates) Order 1995, as respects the following purposes:-

(i) in or towards the

(William Harry Dove, MBE, JP, Deputy)

6 June 2013

(A) The City Bridge Trust Committee - Terms of Reference - Amendments

When recently considering its Terms of Reference your Committee noted a difference between the wording in the Trust’s handbook for Members and the wording in the Terms of Reference under subsection (b)(iii) regarding the bodies to be consulted in the application of surplus income and it was agreed that the Terms of Reference should be updated, in accordance with the CyPres scheme, to reflect the wording as the Trust’s handbook.

It was also noted that, whilst the Chairman and Deputy Chairman had been involved in the recent appointment process for the Chief Grants Officer, the Terms of Reference did not currently provide for this.

We therefore recommend that The City Bridge Trust Committee’s Terms of Reference be amended as follows:-

a)              Subsection b (iii) be amended to read:-

‘In considering the application of surplus income in accordance with clause 2 of the said Scheme, the Trustee shall consult with such person, bodies corporate, local authorities, government departments and agencies, charities, voluntary organisations and other bodies as the Trustee may think appropriate from time to time.’; and

b)              A subsection (c) be added as follows:-

‘To be involved in the process for the appointment of the Chief Grants Officer, as appropriate.’

Subject to the Court’s approval of these changes, the Committee’s Terms of Reference would read as follows:-

(a) To determine all applications for grants pursuant to the Cy Pres Scheme for the administration of the Charity known as the Bridge House Estates, made by the Charity Commissioners on 9 February 1995 and brought into effect by the Charities (The Bridge House Estates) Order 1995, as respects the following purposes:-

(i) in or towards the provision of

Your City Bridge Trust Committee, which currently makes grants totalling about £16 million annually to voluntary organisations across Greater London, has recently undertaken its five-yearly review of its policies and priorities through which grants are made under its existing Working with Londoners programmes.

Following consultation, research and statistical analysis, as well as careful examination in several informal seminars to ensure that the grants are targeting the most important areas of need to assist the inhabitants of Greater London, we are now proposing to revise our priorities.  We submit a separately printed and circulated report suggesting variations to our overarching policies, particularly to ensure that our resources are applied where they will be most effective and we recommend approval thereof.  

(B) The City Bridge Trust Committee Grants Strategy and Policy Review

Your City Bridge Trust Committee, which currently makes grants totalling about £16 million annually to voluntary organisations across Greater London, has recently undertaken its five-yearly review of its policies and priorities through which grants are made under its existing Working with Londoners programmes.

Following consultation, research and statistical analysis, as well as careful examination in several informal seminars to ensure that the grants are targeting the most important areas of need to assist the inhabitants of Greater London, we are now proposing to revise our priorities.  We submit a separately printed and circulated report suggesting variations to our overarching policies, particularly to ensure that our resources are applied where they will be most effective and we recommend approval thereof.

Read and agreed to.

“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:-

A) recommendations of the Finance Committee on the tender for Information Systems managed services; and

B) recommendations of the Property Investment Board on the leasehold disposal of a Housing Revenue Account property.”

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 while the public were excluded

The Court:-

a) approved recommendations of the Finance Committee on the tender for Information Systems managed services; and

b) approved recommendations of the Property Investment Board on the leasehold disposal of a Housing Revenue Account property.