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 16 January 2020.

Resolved – That the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded, subject to Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark being recorded as present.

There were no resolutions.

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

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor reported on his recent visits to the Gulf, Switzerland and the World Economic Forum at Davos, Durham and Newcastle, and Scotland.

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

The Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee provided an update on COVID19 and some of the business contingency plans that were being put in place in case the outbreak continued to worsen.

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

The Town Clerk to report the outcome of the ballot taken at the last Court:

Where appropriate:-

 *   denotes a Member standing for re-appointment;

¬ denotes appointed.

Two Members to the Trust for London.

The Town Clerk reported the outcome of the ballot taken at the last Court, as follows:

Where appropriate:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment;

denotes appointed.

Two Members to the Trust for London.

Votes

Rehana Banu Ameer                                  69

*Alderman Alison Gowman                         61

*Deputy Edward Lord, O.B.E., J.P.                   42

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Rehana Ameer and Alderman Alison Gowman to be appointed to the Trust for London.

To consider the following appointments:

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

(A)         One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020.

Nominations received:-

Shravan Jashvantrai Joshi

(B)         Three Members on Christ’s Hospital, for four-year terms expiring in March 2024.

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

(C)         Two Members on the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, for three-year terms expiring in March 2023.

Nominations received:-

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark

(D)         Three Members on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry for one-year terms expiring in March 2021.

Nominations received:-

* DeputyRoger Arthur Holden Chadwick, O.B.E.

* Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

* AldermanGregory Percy Jones, Q.C.

(E)      Two Members on the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation,for five-year terms expiring in March 2025. 

Nominations received:-

* Ian Christopher Norman Seaton

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees and Outside Bodies:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

(A)          One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, for the balance of a term expiring in July 2020.

Nominations received:-

Shravan Jashvantrai Joshi

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Shravan Joshi to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls.

(B)          Three Members on Christ’s Hospital, for four-year terms expiring in March 2024.

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Randall Anderson to be appointed to Christ’s Hospital.

(C)          Two Members on the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets

Association, for three-year terms expiring in March 2023.

Nominations received:-

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Simon Duckworth and Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark to be appointed to the City of London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

(D)          Three Members on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry for one-year terms expiring in March 2021.

Nominations received:-

* Deputy Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick, O.B.E.

* Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

* Alderman Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Roger Chadwick, Simon Duckworth, and Alderman Gregory Jones to be appointed to the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry.

(E)         Two Members on the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational

Foundation, for five-year terms expiring in March 2025.

Nominations received:-

* Ian Christopher Norman Seaton

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Ian Seaton to be appointed to the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation.

(A)      To appoint six Common Councilmen to The Honourable The Irish Society, for three-year terms expiring in March 2023.

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Deputy John David Absalom

*Peter Gerard Dunphy

*Deputy Wendy Hyde

*Vivienne Littlechild, M.B.E., J.P.

*Deputy Hugh Fenton Morris

*Jeremy Lewis Simons

(B)      To endorse the appointment of Alderman Gregory Jones Q.C. as one of the two Aldermen on The Honourable the Irish Society, for a three-year term expiring in March 2023, in the room of Alderman Vincent Keaveny.

(C)      To note that Alderman Nicholas Lyons will continue to serve as one of the appointed Aldermen on The Honourable the Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a term expiring in March 2022.

(D)      To note that Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley will continue to serve as Governor of The Honourable the Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a three-year term expiring March 2021.

(A)      The Court proceeded to consider the appointment of six Common Councillors to The Honourable The Irish Society, for terms of three years.

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment

Nominations received:-

*Deputy John David Absalom

*Peter Gerard Dunphy

*Deputy Wendy Hyde

*Vivienne Littlechild, M.B.E., J.P.

*Deputy Hugh Fenton Morris

*Jeremy Lewis Simons

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy John Absalom, Peter Dunphy, Deputy Wendy Hyde, Vivienne Littlechild, Deputy Hugh Morris, and Jeremy Simons to be appointed to The Honourable The Irish Society.

(B)      The Court endorsed the appointment of Alderman Gregory Jones as one of the two Aldermen on The Honourable the Irish Society, for a three-year term expiring in March 2023, in the room of Alderman Vincent Keaveny.

(C)      The Court noted that Alderman Nicholas Lyons would continue to serve as one of the Aldermanic representatives on The Honourable The Irish Society, having previously been appointed for term expiring in March 2022.

The Court noted that Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley would continue to serve as Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society for a three-year term expiring in 2021, with a Deputy Governor to be appointed by the Court of The Honourable The Irish Society.

Sustaining the growing business population

Oliver Lodge asked a question of the Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning the rapid expansion of the City’s business population and the measures the Corporation would be taking to prevent unsustainable growth.

Responding, the Chair referenced the Corporation’s Transport Strategy and the draft City Plan 2036, both of which aimed to ensure that the City of London remained a sustainable and attractive place to work, live and visit. The Chair agreed that forecasts predicted an increase in employment within the City over the coming years and explained that an office floorspace growth target of two million square metres had been set to accommodate these increasing numbers. The Chair stressed that it would be important to continue to protect and maintain an acceptable standard of working environment and sustainability in the City, but also not to impede the growing success of this area. She added that the changing circumstances within the City would be monitored and fed back into the planning policy review process and advised there would be multiple opportunities for consideration of employment projections, growth targets, land use, and numerous other policies appropriate to the City.

Oliver Lodge asked a supplementary question in which he highlighted the seemingly disparate policies across the City Corporation and asked for the development of a coherent, integrated and public strategy to ensure the City business population remained stable and well-managed in the future.

Responding, the Chair of Policy and Resources set out how the plans and policies being taken forward were combined and interlinked. She praised the pioneering steps and policies being developed and noted that the aforementioned Transport Strategy and City Plan contained significant plans within them to support a thriving population. The Chair added that the Planning and Transportation Committee would keep sight

There were no Motions.

The Chairman of the Markets Committee informed the Court that the Great British Market Awards had recently bestowed the accolade of Wholesale Market of the Year to Billingsgate Market. The Chairman advised that the judges had praised the resilience of the Market’s workers during the climate change protests and the Chairman thanked all officers who had contributed to the Market receiving this award.

To consider reports of the Finance Committee, as follows:-

(A) City Fund 2020/21 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy –

to approve the budget for 2020/21.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

18 February 2020

(A) City Fund 2020/21 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Court considered a report of the Finance Committee presenting the overall financial position of the City Fund (i.e. the City Corporation’s finances relating to Local Government, Police and Port Health services).

The Chairman spoke to introduce the budget and clarified a number of elements.

Resolved – That the report be agreed to and the Court do pass a Resolution in the following terms:-

1.      That for the 2020/21 financial year the Court of Common Council approves:

·           the Premium multiplier on the Non-Domestic Rate and Small Business Rate multipliers be set at 0.008 (an increase of 0.002 on the present multiplier) to enable the City to continue to support the City of London Police, security and contingency planning activity within the Square Mile at an enhanced level;

·           an increase of 3.99% in the ‘relevant basic amount’ of Council Tax to £927.25 which includes a 2% increase for Adult Social Care for a Band D property (excluding the GLA precept);

·           the overall financial framework and the revised Medium-Term Financial Strategy for the City Fund; and

·           the City Fund Net Budget Requirement of £160,814,308

Council Tax

2.      It be noted that in 2012 the Finance Committee delegated the calculation of the Council Tax Base to the Chamberlain and the Chamberlain has calculated the following amounts for the year 2020/21 in accordance with Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(a)          8,149.17 beingtheamountcalculatedby the Chamberlain (as delegated by the Finance Committee),in accordancewith the Local Authorities (Calculation of

(B) Revenue and Capital Budgets 2019/20 and 2020/21 – to receive the latest revenue budgets for 2019/20, approve the revenue budgets for 2020/21, and approve the capital budgets.

18 February 2020

(B) Revenue and Capital Budgets 2019/20 and 2020/21: City's Cash and Bridge House Estates

The Court was presented with a report which summarised the revenue and capital budgets for each of the City’s three main funds, City Fund, City’s Cash and Bridge House Estates together with the budgets for central support services within Guildhall Administration (which initially ‘holds’ such costs before these are wholly apportioned). The report accompanied the Summary Budget Book which included all the City’s budgets at a summary level in a single document and was available in the Members’ Reading Room and on the City Corporation’s website.

The Court was recommended to approve the revenue and capital budgets for City’s Cash, Bridge House Estates and Guildhall Administration for the financial year 2020/21 (the budgets for City Fund having already been considered under part A above).

Resolved – That:-

1.    The latest revenue budgets for 2019/20 (paragraphs 19 and 26) be noted.

2.    The 2020/21 revenue budgets be approved, including the following measure;

·         City’s Cash: Efficiency Savings: Maintain the 2% efficiency saving across all Corporation departments, which together with a pay and inflation uplift of 2%, subject to the outcome of the Pay Review, would result in flat cash budgets (paragraph 2).

3.    City’s Cash: additional resource requests for City’s Cash of £0.7m (paragraph 16) be approved.

4.    Bridge House Estates: That the following be approved;

5.    The 2020/21 Capital and Supplementary Revenue Project Budgets for City’s Cash and Bridge House Estates amounting to £27.2m and £7.1m, respectively (paragraph 33) be approved.

6.    The allocation of central funding of

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

(A)Public Space Protection Order: London Marathon Related Disorder – to consider proposals to make a Public Space Protection Order.

For Decision

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

7 February 2020

(A) Public Space Protection Order: London Marathon Related Disorder

Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides local authorities with the power to make Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). PSPOs are intended to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specific area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life, by imposing certain conditions or prohibitions.

In recent years, problems had arisen in the City in relation to visitors during the day of the London Marathon, with notable amounts of anti-social behaviour and violent disorder. Despite significant efforts to address this through other means, the problems had remained and, consequently, following a request from the City of London Police the Safer City Partnership (the Community Safety Partnership for the City of London) had begun the process of seeking a PSPO for an area encompassing the London Marathon route in the City, to be active only for the day of that event.

The PSPO would provide the City Police with additional powers to prevent public drinking and intoxication in specific areas, by refusing entry to designated areas to those carrying alcohol or nitrous oxide, or by confiscation of these within the area.

Following the approval by the Policy & Resources Committee of the proposal to seek a PSPO in November 2019, a process of public consultation was undertaken, through which no significant objections were expressed. The Court of Common Council was now recommended to authorise the making of a PSPO in accordance with Section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, on the day of the London Marathon along the route of that event, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2.

Resolved - That approval be granted to the making

(B) Report of Action Taken: London Councils Grant Scheme - to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the annual levies for subscriptions in relation to the London Councils Grants Scheme.

For Information

(B) Report of Action Taken: London Councils Grant Scheme

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures regarding the issue of annual levies for subscriptions to the constituent councils of the London Councils Grant Scheme. Having received confirmation from London Councils that the budget had been agreed by over two thirds of the constituent councils, the approval of the Court was required under urgency procedures to issue the levies before the statutory deadline of 15 February 2020.

Resolved – That the action taken under urgency procedures be noted.

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee

(Deputy Tom Hoffman M.B.E., Chief Commoner)

(A) Fusion Prize Award Ceremony and Early Evening Reception

It was proposed that the City of London Corporation host the Fusion Prize Award Ceremony followed by an early evening reception at Guildhall on Thursday 7 May 2020. The Fusion Prize is a prize for new ideas demonstrating how engagement with creativity and culture can help young people develop modern workplace skills. The Prize has been developed by the Culture Mile Learning team in partnership with Foundation for Future London.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for the Fusion Prize Award Ceremony and an early evening reception.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for the Fusion Prize Award Ceremony and an early evening reception, that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

(B) Finale of the Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition

It was proposed that the City Corporation host the finale of the Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition in Guildhall Yard followed by a buffet lunch in the Crypts on Saturday 16 May 2020. The competition, for cadet units in London, has been held annually since 2017.

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for the City Corporation to host the finale of the Lord Mayor’s Cadet Music Competition and that arrangements are made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

(C) High Sheriffs’ Association of England and Wales Reception

It was proposed that the City Corporation host an early evening reception in the Grand Hall of the Old Bailey for the High Sheriffs’ Association of England and Wales on Wednesday 27May 2020. The reception,

To consider the annual On-Street Parking Accounts for 2019/20 and related funding of Highway Improvements and Schemes.

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

(Deputy Alastair Moss)

Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2018/19 and Related Funding of Highway Improvements and Schemes

The Court received a report advising of action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in its On-Street Parking Account for 2018/19. This information was required to be reported to the Mayor of London.

 The report informed Members that:

·         the surplus arising from on-street parking activities in 201/19 was £13.681m;

·         a total of £6.833m, was applied in 2018/19 to fund approved projects; and

·         the surplus remaining on the On-Street Parking Reserve at 31st March 2019 was £36.828m, which will be wholly allocated towards the funding of various highway improvements and other projects over the medium term.

Resolved – That the report be noted and its submission to the Mayor of London be approved.

To consider the annual review of charges for the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre.

PORT HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

(Jeremy Lewis Simons)

Animal Reception Centre – Heathrow Airport: Annual Review of Charges

It is necessary to submit periodic recommendations to the Court for an increase to be applied to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), for the forthcoming financial year.

The Byelaws, incorporating a new schedule of charges for the services provided,

were set out in Appendix A to the report and the Committee recommended approval thereof; the Comptroller and City Solicitor being instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

The Chairman spoke to advise of a small number of numerical errors within the appendix which had unfortunately been put to the Committee and, consequently, were now before the Court. The errors having been spotted, he sought the Court’s support to correct the position, proposing the following amendments:-

Amendment – That the following adjustments be made to Appendix A:-

·         On page 169, the reference to “processing and handling fee for all shipments that terminate at Heathrow: £15 (£15)” to be amended to read “processing and handling fee for all shipments £20 (£20).”

·         On page 170, the reference under paragraph three relating to fees for Birds, the figure £185 be changed to £186, such that the relevant sentences therein read “Birds £65 (£64) per box per day £186 (£182) minimum charge” and “Birds of prey £18 per bird for up to 24 hours, £186 (£182) minimum charge.”

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

Upon the substantive Motion as amended being put, the Lord Mayor declared that to be also carried.

Resolved – That the Byelaws, as set out in Appendix A with the amendments proposed by the Chairman, be approved and the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed

To consider the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21.

ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE

(Deputy Charles Edward Lord, O.B.E., J.P.)

Draft Pay Policy Statement

The Localism Act 2011 requires the City of London Corporation to prepare and publish a Pay Policy Statement setting out its approach to pay for the most senior and junior members of staff. This must be agreed each year by the full Court of Common Council.

The statement, having been updated for 2020/21 and approved by both the Establishment Committee and Policy and Resources Committee, was therefore presented to the Court of Common Council with the recommendation that it be approved.

Resolved – that the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21, as set out in the Appendix to the report, to ensure that the City Corporation meets its requirements under the Localism Act 2011 be approved.

To consider an amendment to the Board’s constitution and terms of reference.

BARBICAN CENTRE BOARD

(Deputy Tom Sleigh)

Proposed Amendment to Terms of Reference and Term Limits

In April 2009, the Barbican Centre Board reviewed its governance arrangements. As part of this process, it was agreed to introduce term limits, whereby an individual would be restricted to a maximum continuous service term limit of three terms of three years. An unanticipated consequence of the introduction of a term limit had now arisen.

Pursuant to Standing Order 30(3)(a), it is customary on City Corporation Committees for the outgoing Chair/Chairman to serve as Deputy Chair/Chairman in the year immediately following their term as Chairman, in order to use their experience and knowledge to assist the new Chair/Chairman in their role.

Unfortunately, the incumbent Chairman, who was now in the final year of his Chairmanship, was also due to complete his ninth and final year on the Board in April 2020. This would prevent him from exercising his rights under Standing Order 30(3)(a) for the year 2020/21.The Board had decided, therefore, to temporarily alter its constitution to allow for the incumbent Chairman to be eligible for a tenth year on the Board, so as to enable him to serve as Deputy Chairman for one year to support the new Chair/Chairman.

The endorsement of the Policy & Resources Committee had been sought and obtained in respect of this proposed change and the Court was now recommended to approve the amendment to the Barbican Centre Board’s Constitution and Terms of Reference, waiving the nine-year maximum service rule on a temporary basis as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Resolved – That proposed amendment to the Barbican Centre Board’s Constitution and Terms of Reference, waiving the nine-year maximum service rule on a temporary basis in respect of Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, to allow for the possibility of

To consider a recommendation to revoke an Honorary Freedom.

FREEDOMS APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE

(Alderman Sir David Wootton)

The Honorary Freedom

The Court considered a report of the Freedoms Applications Committee providing an update on action taken thus far in relation to the Honorary Freedom awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi in 2017.

On the basis of recent developments, the Committee had reconsidered its position and recommended that the Honorary Freedom should now be revoked.

Resolved – That the Honorary Freedom awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi in May 2017 be revoked with immediate effect.

To consider recommendations of an Appeals Sub-Committee.

STANDARDS APPEALS COMMITTEE

(Alderman Timothy Russell Hailes)

Recommendation of the Standards Appeals Sub Committee

The Court considered a report which set out the outcome of an Appeal made by Common Councilman John Chapman against the findings of a Hearing Sub Committee that he had breached the Code of Conduct. The report asked the Court to note the sanction and determine whether of not they felt it appropriate to discharge John Chapman from membership of the Standards Appeals Committee for a period of twelve months.

Members proceeded to debate the proposals. During the ensuing discussion, the following points were made:

·         A number of Members suggested that the process through which Mr Chapman’s case and appeal had been handled, together with the sanction imposed, was excessive and had caused unnecessary distress to those involved.

·         Some Members also expressed the view that matters of this nature should be dealt with by the Chief Commoner and not the Court, at least in the first instance. It was observed that it was felt inappropriate for Members to stand in judgement over other Members, particularly in instances such as these where the Court did not have all of the facts of the case before it.

·         In this particular case, several Members articulated the concern that the rationale and process which had resulted the proposed sanction was insufficiently clear to enable a decision.

·         A Member highlighted that the Court had a statutory duty to maintain and promote Members’ standards of conduct. They cited the 2018 staff survey which demonstrated how only 41% of staff felt inappropriate behaviour was dealt with effectively by the Corporation, which included Members’ behaviour. Several examples of inappropriate behaviour by Members were cited, with it observed that the Corporation had a duty of care to its staff who did not necessarily feel empowered

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, or which fall under paragraph 100A(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to confidential information that would be disclosed in breach of an obligation of confidence by a department of Her Majesty’s Government?”

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 16 January 2020.

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

To consider proposals relating to the reserves policy for Bridge House Estates.

Finance Committee

The Court approved proposals relating to the reserves policy for Bridge House Estates.

To consider proposals relating to the allocation of funds from Bridge House Estates.

Finance Committee and Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals relating to the allocation of funds from Bridge House Estates.

To consider proposals concerning the Centre for Music and London Wall Site Masterplanning.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals relating to the Centre for Music and London Wall Site Masterplanning.

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

Property Investment Board

The Court:-

(A) Lease restructure and Acquisition – to consider proposals concerning the restructure of an existing lease in return for a capital premium and the acquisition of a property.

For Decision

(A)        approved proposals concerning the restructure of an existing lease in return for a capital premium and the acquisition of a property; and

(B) Report of Action Taken: Grant of new 250-year lease - to receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the grant of a long-term lease.

For Information

(B)  received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the grant of a long-term lease.

The Chief Commoner to be heard concerning a matter of hospitality.

This item was withdrawn.