Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAd4VS_IXKk

Contact: Gregory Moore 

Items
No. Item

1.

Resolution

To consider the terms of a resolution of condolence following the death of Sir Roger Gifford, lately Alderman for the Ward of Cordwainer.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 1.

Minutes:

Resolved unanimously – “That, upon his terribly sad and unexpected death, the Members of this Honourable Court wish to place on record their most sincere condolences, as well as their heartfelt thanks to:

 

Sir Roger Gifford

 

for the most distinguished service that he gave to the City Corporation, as Alderman for the Ward of Cordwainer from 2004, Sheriff in 2008/09 and as the 685th Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2012/13.

 

A highly respected and visible senior figure in international banking, Sir Roger’s entire professional life was spent in financial services – a far cry from reading chemistry at Trinity College, Oxford. He started out at SG Warburg in the 1970s before joining SEB, the Nordic banking group in 1982, where he would spend the remainder of his career. He served as SEB’s UK Country head from 2000 to 2017, following a six-year stint prior to that heading up their Tokyo operations. A great love and affinity for Japan was formed during his time there - during the COVID world of virtual meetings we have just experienced, colleagues were regularly treated to Roger sitting in front of a silk screen or other antiquities from Japan! -  and he was a great champion of UK-Japan relations in both business and culture, contributing to deepening the friendship and ties between the City of London and Tokyo.

 

I must also mention Roger’s selfless and unstinting commitment to his Ward during the 17 years we were privileged to have him as our close colleague and friend. Not only did he strive to make himself available whenever needed to local businesses, but he was also a constant source of support to me and to  Alex Barr, Tracey Graham, George Gillon and Sir Mark Boleat, the current and previous Common Councillors for Cordwainer during

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2.

Apologies

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Declarations by Members under the Code of Conduct in respect of any items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were no additional declarations.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 306 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on Thursday 13 May 2021.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

Resolved – That the Minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded, subject to the correction of a minor typographical error at the top of page 8 in the resolution of Item 7, whereby the words “and would” are to be deleted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Mayoral Engagements

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent engagements.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor took the opportunity to update the Court on his recent engagement programme.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Policy Statement

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Chair of Policy and Resources Committee provided the Court with an update on the Government’s recent COVID Recovery Roadmap announcement, as well as the City’s own recovery activities.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Planning and Transportation Committee pdf icon PDF 216 KB

To consider proposals relating to a Pedestrian Priority Programme.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

 

(Deputy Alastair Michael Moss)

1 June 2021

Pedestrian Priority Programme

It was proposed that approval be granted for the Pedestrian Priority Programme, a three-year programme implementing pedestrian priority and pavement widening schemes and projects across the Square Mile intended to enhance the comfort and safety of people walking.

 

The Chair spoke to introduce the report, outlining the intentions of the programme and referring to the consultation processes that would be undertaken.

 

Whilst expressing support for the broader proposals, several Members urged that licensed Hackney carriages should enjoy an exemption from the proposed restrictions. In response to related queries, the Chair confirmed that it would be possible to separate exemptions for Hackney carriages from other taxis and noted Members’ observations about the environmentally-friendly nature of the black cab-fleet and the robust safety record of licensed Hackney Carriage Drivers. He reflected on his regular engagement with the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) and cognisance of the strengths of their fleet, in both environmental and safety terms, whilst recognising the concerns of businesses in some parts of the City concerning the difficulty of being dropped-off or hailing a taxi due to transit restrictions.

 

A number of Members also advocated for the ability of taxis to travel more freely around the City generally, including the unfettered use of bus lanes, observing that the current restrictions required taxis to make potentially unsafe “u-turns” in some areas and that black cabs. It was also noted that they were of fundamental importance from an accessibility perspective, as well as in terms of providing a safe alternative method of travel for those in need.

 

The importance of policing of any new pedestrianisation schemes was also highlighted, with a Member referencing recent examples of interactions with electric scooters which had caused safety concerns or difficulties

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Community & Children's Services Committee pdf icon PDF 117 KB

To consider project proposals relating to the provision of social housing at the York Way Estate.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

(Ruby Sayed)

30 April 2021

York Way Estate Provision of Social Housing

The Court considered proposals in respect of the provision of social housing at the York Way Estate, in the context of the City Corporation’s target for delivering social housing.

 

Resolved – That the progression of the York Way Estate Provision of Social Housing project beyond Gateway 4b be approved and, in so doing –

1.     The designs which have been developed up to RIBA Stage 3 be endorsed.

2.     The additional budget of £508,177 to further develop the scheme and reach Gateway 5 be approved. 

3.     It be agreed that the project can now progress to the construction stage, subject to the approval of the planning application, for the delivery of 91 new homes.

4.     The total estimated cost of the project at £28,317,157, excluding risk and inflation, be noted. (NB - The total estimated cost including risk and inflation was £32,393,000)

5.     Consideration of future project report approvals be delegated to the Community & Children’s Services Committee and Projects Sub-Committee, and such relevant committees as may be required in respect of any unanticipated funding matters.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Boards of Governors of the City of London School and City of London School for Girls pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To consider the naming of a new Junior School.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

Name of the New JunioBOARDS OF GOVERNORS OF THE CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL AND CITY OF LONDON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

 

(Tim Levene)

(Nicholas Bensted-Smith)

3 June 2021

Name of the New Junior School

It was proposed that the new joint co-educational three-form Junior School of the City of London School and City of London School for Girls, be named “City Junior School”, with “a City of London School” to be used in headings and wherever appropriate.

 

Resolved – That the joint co-educational Junior school be named City Junior School and that the additional line of ‘a City of London School’ be used in headings and wherever appropriate.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

(Deputy Brian Desmond Francis Mooney, Chief Commoner)

18 May 2021

Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Showcase Reception

The Northern Ireland Office, working with the Department of International Trade and Invest NI, were planning to hold a major business event promoting Northern Ireland businesses at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London on 15th September 2021, as one of a number of events to mark the centenary of the establishment of Northern Ireland.

 

It was proposed that the City Corporation would host a reception at Guildhall on the evening preceding the launch of the Showcase at which business representatives, particularly from the Finance and Professional Services sector, including FinTech, would be able to meet with representatives of Northern Ireland-based small and medium-sized companies.

 

It was, therefore, recommended that hospitality be granted and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within approved parameters.

 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an evening reception preceding the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Showcase, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

The Freedom of the City pdf icon PDF 99 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

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:-

 

Edward Thomas Addison

a Housing Outreach Officer

Tottenham, London

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt.

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Ald. Vincent Keaveny

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

Christopher John Bates

a Solicitor

Clapham, London

Deputy Catherine Sidony McGuinness

Citizen and Solicitor

 

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt.

 

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Nicholas Arthur Berry

a Parliamentary Committee Operations Manager

St. Neots, Cambridgeshire

Revd. Christopher John Damp

Citizen & Stationer & Newspaper maker

 

Edward Philip James Cowen

 

Citizen & Plaisterer

 

Joseph Harold Blake

a Justice Court Clerk, retired

Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Michele McCarthy 

Citizen and Scrivener

 

John A Welch 

 

Citizen and Pattenmaker

 

Charlotte Anna Carruthers Brown

a Personal Assistant.

Tooting

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Hilary Ann Russell 

 

Citizen and Farmer

 

John Robert Brown

a Lawyer, retired

Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America

Michele McCarthy 

Citizen and Scrivener

 

John A Welch 

 

Citizen and Pattenmaker

 

Rt. Hon. Sir Vincent Cable

a Politician

Twickenham, Middlesex

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Deputy Catherine Sidony McGuinness

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

Karen Margaret Fulton

a Guild Clerk

Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

James Frank Bryan

Citizen and Educator

 

Dr Maria Hebel

 

Citizen and Management Consultant

 

Professor Peter Garrard

a Professor of Neurology

Islington, London

Martin Klocek

Citizen and Loriner

 

Henryk Stanislaw Klocek

Citizen and Loriner

 

 

David John Goodwin, JP

a Stockbroker, retired

Bude, Cornwall

Prof. Graham Buckton

Citizen and Apothecary

 

Sarah Marianna Chatham

 

Citizen and Apothecary

 

Douglass William Hocker

an ID Audit Consultant

Arlmore, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Michele McCarthy 

Citizen and Scrivener

 

John A Welch 

 

Citizen and Pattenmaker

 

Paul Holloway

a Mayoral Attendant

Bexleyheath, Kent

Kristen James Cottier

Citizen and Spectacle Maker

 

Robert George Munson

 

Citizen and Builders

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Appointments

To consider the following appointment:

 

One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for the balance of a term expiring in July 2023.

 

Nominations received:-

Deputy Robert Allan Merrett

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Court proceeded to consider the following appointments:-

 

One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for the balance of a term expiring in July 2023.

 

Nominations received:-

Deputy Robert Merrett

 

Read.

 

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Robert Merrett to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for the balance of a term expiring in July 2023.

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13.

Motions

Minutes:

There were no motions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Questions

Minutes:

Engagement with China

Graeme Harrower asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the City Corporation’s engagement with the People’s Republic of China, given ongoing human rights concerns, calling for a Motion to be brought to the Court’s next meeting for discussion.

 

Responding, the Chair suggested that it would be procedurally unusual for the Chair of a Committee to bring a matter to the Court in such a way and, in any event, felt it would be inappropriate to do so. She emphasised the condemnation of human rights abuses around the world, wherever they were found, observing that there were many countries with such concerns, including several with which the UK traded. The Chair stressed that it was the role of the national government to lead on foreign affairs and the role of City of London Corporation to support the City. As an organisation, the City Corporation had made clear for many years that this was one of its core purposes and, as part of that role, had engaged with many varied business partners across the world and throughout the years. It was a matter for Members to decide whether that role in standing up for the City should continue; however, it would reflect a radical change of direction were the Corporation to move from this position and would, she suggested, significantly limit its ability to play an impactful role. 

 

The Chair added that the City Corporation had a distinctive place on the international stage as a supporter of the jobs and growth that came from the Financial and Professional Services (FPS) industries and related sectors. In doing this, the City took its lead from the Government, which pointed to where the City should be focussing its efforts in order to support UK growth and

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Community & Children's Services Committee pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To receive an update on the City Corporation’s Corporate Parenting responsibilities.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

(Ruby Sayed)

1 June 2021

Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2019/20 and Corporate Parenting Strategy Update

The Court was recommended to note the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2019/20 and Corporate Parenting Strategy Update, which advised all Members of the Court of Common Council of their responsibilities as corporate parents.

 

Resolved – That the report be received and its contents noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Audit & Risk Management Committee pdf icon PDF 186 KB

To receive the annual report of the Committee’s activities.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

(Alexander Robertson Martin Barr)

27 May 2021

Annual Report

The Audit and Risk Management Committee presented to the Court of Common Council a report of its activities covering the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. Providing this report to the Court of Common Council on an annual basis was in line with Chartered Instituted of Public Finance & Accounting (CIPFA) guidance on best practice for audit committees in order to effectively support the organisation; for the Court to understand the work of the Committee; and, for the Court to hold the Committee to account.

 

Resolved – That the report be received and its contents noted

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Legislation pdf icon PDF 117 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

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:-

 

Bills

 

Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Act 2021 c. 8

 

This Act sets the date of the next business rate revaluation at 1 April 2023 and moves the latest date for publishing the draft rating list from 30 September to 31 December in the year preceding the revaluation.

 

Date in force

 

15th March 2021

Statutory Instruments

 

The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (Coronavirus) (Change of Expiry Date) Regulations 2021 No. 441

 

Section 20 of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (the 2020 Act) grants the Secretary of State powers to amend or modify the effect of specified corporate insolvency or governance legislation in Great Britain by Regulations. Under the 2020 Act, the power to make Regulations under section 20 was due to expire on 30 April 2021. These Regulations substitute the date so that Regulations made using that power may not be made after 29th April 2022.

 

 

 

1st April 2021

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps and Local Authority Enforcement Powers) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 No. 455

 

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021, to relax Coronavirus restrictions by moving England from the Step 1 area to the Step 2 area. The change took effect on 12th April 2021. The Regulations also make minor amendments to the definition of “linked household” and clarify that customers may enter premises serving alcohol to pay for their food and drink, in addition to other minor amendments.

 

12th April 2021

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2021 No. 467

 

This Order amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (GPDO). The GPDO provides for

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Docquets for the Hospital Seal.

Minutes:

There were no docquets to be sealed.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Awards and Prizes

Minutes:

There was no report.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

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 Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on Thursday 13 May 2021.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

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

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Boards of Governors of the City of London School for Girls and the City of London School

To consider project proposals relating to a new Junior School.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

Boards of Governors of the City of London School and City of London School for Girls

The Court approved recommendations relating to a project to establish a new Junior School.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Finance Committee and the Boards of Governors of the City of London School and City of London School for Girls

To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the acquisition of a lease.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

Finance Committee and Boards of Governors of the City of London School and City of London School for Girls

The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures relating to the site of a new Junior School.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

Property Investment Board

To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the disposal of a long-term lease.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

Property Investment Board

The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures relating to the disposal of a long-term lease.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.