Venue: Guildhall
Contact: Gregory Moore
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Apologies Minutes: The apologies of those Members unable to attend this meeting of the Court were noted. |
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Declarations by Members under the Code of Conduct in respect of any items on the agenda Minutes: There were no additional declarations. |
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To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 8 October 2020.
Minutes: Resolved – That the minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded. |
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Mayoral Visits The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent overseas visits. Minutes: The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor took the opportunity to update the Court on his virtual engagement programme. |
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Policy Statement To receive a statement from the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee. Minutes: There was no statement. |
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To consider proposals concerning the re-setting of departmental budgets. Additional documents: Minutes: FINANCE COMMITTEE
(Jeremy Paul Mayhew) 13 October 2020 Resetting of Departmental Budgets 2020/21 The Court was recommended to approve a series of proposals arising from an in-year re-budgeting exercise, intended to assist in repairing the damage to the City’s budgets arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was considered to be a vital step in ensuring that the City Corporation put its finances on a sustainable footing for the medium term.
The Chairman spoke to introduce the report, noting that the impact of COVID-19 stood at just over £28m in 2020/21 and that, whilst the City expected to recover an estimated £13.6m from the Government’s compensation scheme, the remaining deficit would need to come from reserves. He outlined the process by which the re-budgeting exercise had been progressed and urged Members to support the proposals.
In response to a query, the Chairman undertook to have a copy of his introductory speech circulated to Members for information.
Resolved – That:- · The steps already taken to reduce the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic be noted. · The adjusted departmental budgets totalling £14.2m be approved outlined in the report, including a downward revision of £1m for the Barbican explained at paragraph 7 and a reduction of £400k to the original proposal for the Open Spaces Department explained at paragraph 9. · Proposals to continue working with departments to identify further savings where possible be approved. · The continuation of recruitment controls aligned to the Target Operating Model (TOM) be approved, noting these may give further savings in the year. · which may give further savings in the year. |
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Planning & Transportation Committee PDF 1 MB To consider Gateway 4b proposals relating to the "All Change at Bank" project.
Minutes: PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
(Deputy Alastair Michael Moss) 15 October 2020 Gateway 4b: Bank Junction Improvements Project: All Change at Bank Approval was sought at Gateway 4b to progress the ‘All Change at Bank’ Bank Junction Improvements project. The project aimed to improve the safety, air quality and pedestrian experience of the area around the Bank junction and reflect the historic and iconic surroundings with the appropriate sense of place. The project enacted the City of London Corporation’s longer-term ambitions for the junction and was a product of the Bank Area Enhancement Strategy agreed by the Court of Common Council in May 2013.
The Chair spoke to introduce the report, reminding Members of the genesis of the project, summarising the proposals before the Court, and setting out the timescales for future activity, including the public consultation process in 2021. He also addressed the interaction with temporary road layout amendments associated with the Covid-19 response.
During discussion, a Member spoke to express their concern as to the closure of Threadneedle Street and the and knock-on impact on Broad Street and the surrounding area, challenging the general move to restrict traffic movements particularly in the current context. The Chair noted that the City’s Transport Strategy prioritised pedestrian movements and that there were also health and safety and air quality considerations informing decisions; however, all steps were being managed in such a way as to take other road users into consideration, recognising the need to ensure that traffic could still move through efficiently where required.
Responding to several Members’ queries in relation to consultation and engagement with local businesses, the Chair agreed with the importance of this and advised that a full consultation process with all businesses and stakeholders would be progressed during the coming year. With reference to a particular concern regarding |
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Barbican Centre Board PDF 230 KB To consider amendments to the constitution and terms of reference of the Barbican Centre Board. Minutes: BARBICAN CENTRE BOARD
(Deputy Tom Sleigh) 11 November 2020 Barbican Centre Board: Review of Composition and Terms of Reference The Barbican Centre Board had recently considered its governance arrangements with a view to determining whether or not they remained fit for purpose, or where improvements might be achieved. This was of particular salience for the Barbican given the challenging circumstances arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, together with other emerging challenges affecting the cultural sector more generally.
Following its deliberations, the Board now wished to progress changes to: · its composition and, in particular, its ability to increase the external expertise available to it (by two additional individuals); · its own rules in relation to term limits, where a lack of clarity had become apparent (applying a consistent nine-year limit on membership); and, · a minor amendment to the Board’s Terms of Reference, to reflect better the Barbican’s creative learning activities and the Board’s oversight thereof.
These recommendations had been considered and supported by the Policy & Resources Committee at its November 2020 meeting.
It was noted that the outcomes of Lord Lisvane’s comprehensive Governance Review would also reflect on the Barbican Board’s governance. The Board’s proposals at this stage were intended to be complementary to any Barbican-specific recommendations that emerged from Members’ wider consideration of that Review over the longer-term, facilitating the effective implementation of proposals within the context of the Barbican’s current needs, whilst also taking into account best practice across the arts sector and comparator institutions.
Resolved – That approval be granted in respect of: 1. An alteration to the composition of the Barbican Centre Board, to allow for two additional external Members (see paragraphs 5-11). 2. The consistent application of a nine-year term limit across the Barbican Centre Board’s membership, applying to all Members (see paragraphs 12-20). 3. A clarification in |
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Appointments To consider the following appointments:
(A) One Member on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Andrew Paul Mayer
(B) Seven Members on the Community & Children’s Services Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Deputy Keith David Forbes Bottomley Tijs Broeke Sheriff Christopher Michael Hayward Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark Deputy Elizabeth Rogula Sir Michael Snyder Dawn Lindsay Wright
(C) Two Members on the Health & Social Care Scrutiny Committee, for the balance of terms expiring April 2021.
Nominations received:- Andrew Paul Mayer Barbara Newman, C.B.E.*
*NB – Barbara Newman was appointed to the Committee under urgency procedures on 2 November, following e-mail consultation of the Court and in advance of the Committee’s November meeting, in order to assist with quoracy concerns.
(D) One Member on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Alderman Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C.
(E) Two Members on Christ’s Hospital, for terms expiring in March 2024 and June 2024.
Nominations received:- Deputy Dr Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson Minutes: The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees:-
(A) One Member on the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Andrew Paul Mayer
Read.
Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Andrew Mayer to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama of Andrew Mayer, for a term expiring April 2021.
(B) Seven Members on the Community & Children’s Services Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Deputy Keith David Forbes Bottomley Tijs Broeke Sheriff Christopher Michael Hayward Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark Deputy Elizabeth Rogula Sir Michael Snyder Dawn Lindsay Wright
Read.
Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Keith
Bottomley, Tijs Broeke, Sheriff Christopher Hayward, Deputy Jamie
Ingham Clark, Deputy Elizabeth Rogula, Sir Michael Snyder and Dawn
Wright to be appointed to Community & Children’s Services
Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April
2021. (C) Two Members on the Health & Social Care Scrutiny Committee, for the balance of terms expiring April 2021.
Nominations received:- Andrew Paul Mayer Barbara Newman, C.B.E.*
*NB – Barbara Newman had been appointed to the Committee under urgency procedures on 2 November, following e-mail consultation of the Court and in advance of the Committee’s November meeting, in order to assist with quoracy concerns.
Read.
Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Andrew Mayer and Barbara Newman to be appointed to the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.
(D) One Member on the Standards Appeals Committee, for the balance of terms expiring in April 2021.
Nominations received:- Alderman Gregory Percy Jones, Q.C.
Read.
Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alderman Gregory Jones Q.C. to be appointed to the Standards Appeal |
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The Freedom of the City PDF 107 KB To consider a circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City. Minutes: 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.
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Questions Minutes: Competitive environment for captive insurance companies Oliver Lodge asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the provision of a competitive environment for captive insurance companies.
Responding, the Chair advised that she was speaking regularly to the CEO and Chair of the London Markets Group (LMG), who were leading and co-ordinating industry efforts to build the onshore captive insurance market. The LMG had had constructive recent meetings with HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority on this issue, including with Ministers, and would be consulting the industry shortly with a view to submitting formal proposals for the legislative and statutory changes required to build the captive insurance market. This would be in the context of Government’s consultations on the future of the Solvency II regime.
She added that the LMG had welcomed the City Corporation’s interest and offers of future support on this issue and had indicated that they were happy with the current direction and pace of travel with Government.
Oliver Lodge asked a supplementary question, concerning the City Corporation’s role as the principal supporter of the Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector and the need to involve Members more effectively in the creation of an economic development strategy, with a view to ensuring the City remained the most attractive domain for FPS businesses.
The Chair agreed that the City Corporation should focus on making the City as competitive and attractive as possible and suggested that this was achieved most effectively by listening to what the sector needed and ensuring this was reflected clearly and practically to Government, where the City Corporation was aligned. In this particular instance, LMG was taking the lead and doing just this, so she suggested it would be most appropriate for the City Corporation to support them in this |
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Motions Minutes: There were no motions. |
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Policy and Resources Committee PDF 86 KB To note action taken under urgency procedures relating to the Markets Co-location Programme. Minutes: POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
(Deputy Catherine McGuiness) 27 October 2020 Report of Urgent Action Taken: Markets Co-location Programme, Interim Budget At its meeting on 22 October 2020, the Policy & Resources Committee had considered a report on the Markets Co-location Programme (MCP), which updated on the project’s development and outlined progress towards submission of a Private Bill in November 2020 to move the City of London Corporation’s three wholesale markets to Dagenham Dock. Members agreed that it was of paramount importance that the Private Bill be laid before Parliament at the optimal time and with supporting evidence which maximised the chances of achieving Royal Assent. In view of the Programme’s position at that time, the view was taken that it was not sufficiently well progressed to submit the Private Bill in November 2020 and it was agreed to delay submission by one year until November 2021, thereby providing a period in which to address a number of outstanding issues.
Noting that the previously approved budget for running the Programme was due to expire at the end of November 2020, support was granted for interim funding to allow requisite activities to be progressed and for work to continue, in view of the delay. Specifically, this was to allow for outline planning to be completed to achieve planning permission supported by a legal agreement to the terms of the s106 agreement, and to fund the Programme team until the end of January 2021, whilst a detailed budget report for funding in 2021 was drafted for submission in December 2020.
The sum total of this interim funding amounted to £779,000, to be funded from City’s Cash Reserves. The approval of the Court was required to allow for these funds to be drawn down. As the Court of Common Council was not due to meet |
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Planning and Transportation Committee PDF 87 KB To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to a project at Tower Bridge. Minutes: PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
(Deputy Alastair Michael Moss) 2 November 2020 Report of Urgent Action Taken: Gateway 4b – Tower Bridge High Voltage System Replacement and Increasing Resilience The Court noted urgent action taken in relation to a project involving the refurbishment of the High Voltage (HV) and Low Voltage (LV) electrical infrastructure at Tower Bridge. This project was at a critical stage and the refurbishment of electrical equipment was necessary as a matter of urgency, as the current electrical network and switchgear was 20 years beyond its design life and the existing secondary supply could only power bridge-lifts at half speed. This affected the ability to complete bridge lifts as covered under the Corporation of London (Tower Bridge) Act 1885.
The approval of the Court was required to proceed at Gateway 4b given that the overall cost of the project (£8.4m) was in excess of £5m. Provision had been made within the Bridge House Estate maintenance plan for all budget requested to progress this project (i.e. no new monies were being requested). Approval was, therefore, granted under urgency to proceed with the project and progress to Gateway 4c, the Detailed Design stage). Approval of the project and any associated amendments at Gateway 4c and Gateway 5 stages was also delegated to the Planning & Transportation and Projects (Policy & Resources) Sub-Committee.
Resolved – That the action taken under urgency procedures be noted. |
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Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials. Minutes: There were no resolutions.
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To receive a report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation. Minutes: The Court received a report on measures introduced by Parliament which might have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-
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Docquets for the Hospital Seal. Minutes: There were no docquets for the Seal. |
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Awards and Prizes Minutes: There was no report. |
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By the Chief Commoner 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 Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.
Minutes: 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 the Local Government Act, 1972.
Summary of exempt items considered whilst the public were excluded:- |
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Non-Public Minutes To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 8 October 2020. Minutes: Resolved – That the non-public minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded. |
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Establishment Committee To consider proposals in relation to the Target Operating Model. Minutes: Establishment Committee The Court approved proposals in relation to the Target Operating Model. |
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Finance Committee To note two reports of the Finance Committee, advising of action taken under urgency procedures, as follows:-
Minutes: Finance Committee The Court:- |
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Report of Action Taken: Sexual Health E-Services (A) Report of Action Taken: Sexual Health E-Services – to note action taken under urgency procedures in respect of a contract variation. Minutes: (A) noted action taken under urgency in respect of a contract variation associated with sexual health e-services; and
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Report of Action Taken: Energy and Gas Supplies (B) Report of Action Taken: Energy and Gas Supplies – to note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the award of a contract.
Minutes: (B) </AI23> <AI24> noted action taken under urgency in respect of the award of a contract for energy and gas supplies.
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Property Investment Board To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the refurbishment of a property. Minutes: Property Investment Board The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the refurbishment of a property. |