Agenda and minutes

To consider the terms of a resolution of condolence following the death of Joyce Carruthers Nash, O.B.E., lately Member for the Ward of Aldersgate.

Resolved unanimously – “That the sincere condolences of this Court be extended following the sad death on 13 June of:-

Mrs Joyce Carruthers Nash, O.B.E.

Our long-time colleague and friend, a valued Member of this Court representing the Ward of Aldersgate for almost 38 years. Her funeral took place on 7 July in the Church of St Lawrence Jewry-next-Guildhall, the church of the City of London Corporation.

The Corporation, its elected members and staff meant a great deal to Joyce. She had no close family and, over the years, the people at Guildhall became the next best thing. As each new Member was elected, she wrote to congratulate and welcome them and offer help and advice if needed. She was similarly welcoming to all staff members, one of whom wrote recently to say that she remembered Joyce as being the first person to welcome her to the Barbican.

Joyce kept in touch with many many people, asking about spouses, partners and children, learning and remembering their names – and, in some cases, the names of their dogs! Since we lost Joyce I’m finding that the grapevine does not work nearly as well as it did.

She had a great gift for friendship: Joyce loved people. At social gatherings she could join any group and instantly strike up a rapport with someone. Those who met her would remember her and enquire how she was long afterwards. And if she came across someone from Yorkshire, her home territory, that was a huge bonus.

Her life was long, busy and varied, and touched the lives of hundreds of people who will long remember her. She leaves behind an admirable legacy.”

The Court proceeded to pause for a moment’s silence and reflection.

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 17 June 2021.

Resolved – That the Minutes of the last Court are correctlyrecorded.

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

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

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

The Deputy Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee provided the Court with an update on the City’s COVID Recovery and re-opening activities.

In accordance with Standing Order No. 63, your City of London Police Authority Board submit a candidate for appointment to the Office of Commissioner of Police for the City of London to be appointed on a date to be confirmed subject to receipt of approval of Her Majesty The Queen (to be sought in accordance with Section III of the City of London Police Act 1839) and subsequently to the candidate taking an Oath before one of Her Majesty’s Judges.

Details of the candidate are set out in the confidential report at Item 23.

MOTION - To exclude the public.

The candidate will appear before the Court of Common Council and will be asked to provide a short presentation to Members. Upon the candidate’s withdrawal from the Court, a ballot by Members will be held for the appointment. On completion of that, the public will be re-admitted and the decision of the Court can be made known. A non-public report has been printed and circulated for consideration by Members only (see: Item 23) and its contents include exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

CITY OF LONDON POLICE AUTHORITY BOARD

(Deputy James Michael Douglas Thomson)

30 June 2021

Appointment of Commissioner of Police for the City of London

In accordance with Standing Order No. 63, the City of London Police Authority Board submitted a candidate for appointment to the Office of Commissioner of Police for the City of London. Details of the candidate and the interview and assessment process were set out in an accompanying confidential report at Item 23.

It was advised that the candidate would appear before the Court of Common Council (in private session) and give a presentation. Upon the candidate’s withdrawal from the Court, a ballot would be held for the appointment and, on completion of that, the public would be re-admitted and the decision of the Court made known.

Resolved – that the public be excluded from the meeting for the interview of the candidate for Commissioner, together with the consideration of other non-public items of business, on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Summary of the exempt item considered whilst the public were excluded

The candidate for the post of Commissioner, having been called in, addressed the Court on a given subject and then withdrew.

The Court proceeded to ballot on the appointment.

Whilst the ballot count was conducted and the public excluded, the Court proceeded to consider Items 22 to 27.

The ballot for the Commissioner having been taken up and cast, the Lord Mayor declared Angela McLaren to have been appointed.

Whereupon the Court resolved that strangers be re-admitted.

The Town Clerk reported that the Court of Common Council had, in accordance with Standing Order No. 63(1), appointed Angela McLaren to be Commissioner.

Whereupon The

To consider the adoption of a proposed Members’ Financial Support Policy.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

3 June 2021

Members’ Financial Support Policy

The Court was recommended to approve a series of proposals relating to the implementation of a new Members’ Financial Support Policy and associated implications in respect of other existing arrangements.

The Deputy Chairman spoke to introduce the report, outlining the role the Scheme played in the Committee’s aspirations to enhance the diversity of the Court of Common Council and ensure that prospective candidates for election to the Court were not deterred from standing for election for any reason.

In response to queries, the Deputy Chairman advised that the rationale behind the Scheme’s introduction in October was to enable prospective candidates for the 2022 elections to be reassured that the Scheme was in place and operating properly, prior to them making a decision as to whether or not to stand. He also clarified that participation in the Scheme was optional and it would, therefore, be a matter for individual Members to determine whether or not they wished to claim remuneration. Finally, the Deputy Chairman confirmed that the Scheme as proposed here did not include any Special Responsibility Allowances; however, these could be incorporated in future within an adapted Scheme should that become the will of the Court.

Resolved – That: -

1.    The final Members’ Financial Support Policy be approved, including the Extended Members Support Scheme section.

2.    The current policy on claims for travel expenses where expense reimbursement only applies when travelling from Guildhall to undertake City Corporation business be reconfirmed.

3.    The Scheme be administered by an external third party who would receive and validate applications before passing to the City Corporation for payment, with the appointment being made in accordance with the City Corporation’s procurement policy.

4.    Members be permitted to claim from the

To consider proposed updates to the City Corporation’s Modern Slavery Statement.

POLICY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE, BRIDGE HOUSE ESTATES BOARD, CITY OF LONDON POLICE AUTHORITY BOARD

(Deputy Catherine McGuiness)

(Deputy Dr Giles Robert Evelyn Shilson)

(Deputy James Michael Douglas Thomson)

14 July 2021

Modern Slavery Update

The City Corporation’s Modern Slavery Statement, developed in response to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) in November 2018, was a voluntary statement which reflected the City Corporation’s commitment to responsible business principles across all of its activities, as well as its wider responsibilities under the 2015 Act in relation to the diverse functions it undertook.  It had been intended to publish an annual update to track progress in 2018; however, this had been delayed due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Approval was now sought to publish and adopt an update to the published statement that included areas of improvement since the initial statement and relevant statistics from the 2020/21 financial year. As with the original statement, the update encompassed all the City Corporation’s functions, including as corporate Trustee of Bridge House Estates.

Marianne Fredericks made reference to the Statement’s recognition of the Corporation’s responsibilities in working to eliminate modern day slavery through its activities. Noting the Global Slavery Index’s rankings concerning China, she questioned how these responsibilities could be reconciled with the City Corporation’s ongoing engagement with China and the promotion of the Financial and Professional Services industry there, asking if the Deputy Chairman of Policy & Resources would acknowledge this tension and raise concerns with the Chinese government. Responding, the Deputy Chairman articulated his view that foreign affairs and the question of foreign affairs policy generally was an issue for Her Majesty’s Government, not the City Corporation, with the Corporation’s duty being to promote trade globally. He expressed his absolute condemnation of modern slavery and human rights abuses around the world, wherever

To consider recommendations concerning the appointment of Independent Persons,

pursuant to the resolution of this Court of 14 January 2021.

INDEPENDENT PERSONS APPOINTMENT PANEL

(Alderman Sir David Wootton)

1 July 2021

Independent Persons Appointment Panel

The Court proceeded to consider recommendations concerning the appointment of Independent Persons of the new standards regime, pursuant to the resolution of the Court of 14 January 2021.

Resolved – That Mr Rahul Sinha and Mr Philip Thicknesse be appointed as Independent Members of the City of London Corporation.

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 consider congratulatory resolutions in respect of the recent award of honours.

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

i)              Deputy Henry Llewellyn Michael Jones, MBE, on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of his services to the community in Aldgate during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ii)             Jenny Field, OBE, until recently Deputy Director of the City Bridge Trust, on her recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of her services to disadvantaged communities in London.

iii)           Mickey Kelly, MBE, until recently Executive Headteacher at Redriff Primary City of London Academy, on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in recognition of his services to education and the community in Southwark.

iv)           Kay English, BEM, the City Corporation’s Traffic Manager, on her award by Her Majesty the Queen of the British Empire Medal, for services to transport management in the City of London, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To consider the following appointments:

(A)         Four Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for four-year terms expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:-

*Alexander Martin Robertson Barr

*Deputy Keith Bottomley

*Tim Levene

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

(B)         Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, two vacancies beingfor the balance of terms expiring in July 2023 and three being for four-year terms expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:-

*Mary Durcan

*Dhruv Patel, O.B.E.

(C)         One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School,for a four-year term expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:-

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

(D)         One Member on the Open Spaces & City Gardens and West Ham Park Committees, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2023.

Nominations received:-

Andrew Stratton McMurtrie, J.P.

(E)         One Member on the Culture, Heritage & Libraries Committee, for the balance of a term expiring April 2022.

Nominations received:-

Randall Keith Anderson

The Court proceeded to consider appointments to the following Committees: -

(A)          Four Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School, for four-year terms expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:

*Alexander Martin Robertson Barr

*Deputy Keith Bottomley

*Tim Levene

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

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alexander Martin Robertson Barr, Deputy Keith Bottomley, Tim Levene and Deputy Edward Lord to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for terms expiring in July 2025.

(B)          Five Members on the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, two vacancies being for the balance of terms expiring in July 2023 and three being for four-year terms expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:

*Mary Durcan

*Dhruv Patel, O.B.E.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Mary Durcan and Dhruv Patel to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls for terms expiring in July 2025.

(C)          One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School, for a four-year term expiring in July 2025.

Nominations received:

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

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick to be appointed to the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School for a term expiring in July 2025.

(D)          One Member on the Open Spaces & City Gardens and West Ham Park Committees, for the balance of a term expiring in April 2023.

Nominations received:

Andrew Stratton McMurtrie, J.P.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Andrew Stratton McMurtrie to be appointed to the Open Spaces & City Gardens and West Ham Park Committees for a term expiring in April 2023.

(E)         One Member on the Culture, Heritage

There were no motions.

Arrangements for the September meeting of the Court

Michael Hudson asked a question of the Deputy Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, seeking clarity in relation to the arrangements for the Court’s September meeting and requesting an undertaking for it to be held as a physical, formal meeting.

Responding, the Deputy Chairman shared his hope that, by September, Covid was sufficiently under control that no restrictions were in place and a return to “life as normal” was possible. He added that the Policy and Resources Committee had been of the opinion that the Court should meet in person when safe to do so, hence today’s in-person meeting; however, the Committee was also mindful of the very valid concerns in respect of physical meetings at this point in time. On balance, it had felt that now was the right time for the Court to meet in person and demonstrate leadership to the City; however, in doing so, it also recognised the need to be prudent and ensure this was managed safely. This was why the Court was set-up in a more socially distanced configuration, with an outdoor lunch, and with the encouragement of the use of masks in the building and lateral flow tests before coming to Guildhall.

Notwithstanding this, the Deputy Chairman cautioned that the threat of Covid was still very real and, despite high vaccination rates, infection numbers were rising and many people were still having to self-isolate. It would, therefore, be precipitate to make any commitment now given the uncertainties of the situation in September. The City would need to follow Government directions, irrespective of personal views on physical meetings; however, the situation would be monitored very closely over the summer Members kept informed as the situation evolved.

The Deputy Chairman added that efforts continued in respect

To receive reports of urgent action taken, as follows:-

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

(A)Report of Action Taken: Formal meeting of the Court of Common Council – to note action taken in respect of arrangements to allow the 22 July 2021 meeting of the Court to be held as a formal meeting.

For Information

14 July 2021

(A) Report of Action Taken: Formal meeting of the Court of Common Council

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures to allow the meeting of the Court of Common Council on 22 July 2021 to proceed on a physical basis and as a formal meeting, following the Government’s relaxation of social distancing requirements in July 2021.

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

(B)Report of Action Taken: Amendment to an Act of Court of Common Council, Aldermanic Election – to note action taken in making amendments to an Act of Common Council concerning the requirements following the death of a serving Alderman.

For Information

1 July 2021

(B) Report of Action Taken: Amendment to an Act of Court of Common Council, Aldermanic Election

The Court was recommended to note action taken to amend an Act of Court of Common Council pertaining to Aldermanic Elections, following the sad death of Alderman Sir Roger Gifford on 25 May 2021.  For various reasons, namely: the state of the 2021 Ward List and the importance of a more robust 2022 Ward List, together with a greater diversity of candidates; the Court of Common Council’s decision of 8 October 2020 to postpone all Common Council elections until March 2022; and the Court of Aldermen’s similar decision to waive until March 2022 the conventions relating to Surrenders of Office; the Policy and Resources Committee resolved to propose an amendment to the Act of Common Council to ensure that any instances of Aldermanic vacancies arising from death in Office would be managed in this manner.  In the usual order of things, such a recommendation would have been submitted to the Court of Common Council as a Bill for an Act of Common Council, to be considered at two successive meetings and with three readings of the Bill. However, due to the timescales set out for such elections, the Policy and Resources Committee resolved to seek the approval of the Court to the relevant amendments under urgency procedures (Standing Order No.19), with the usual requirements of Standing Order No.46 (requiring the circulation of the Bill for three readings) explicitly waived as a consequence.

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

To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to arrangements associated with the Private Placement draw-down.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Deputy Jamie Ingham-Clark)

22 June 2021

Report of Action Taken: Private Placement Borrowing – 2^nd Tranche

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures to enable a planned transaction in relation to second tranche of private debt on 14 July 2021, following the appointment of a new Chamberlain.  The action taken authorised the new Chamberlain, Caroline Al-Beyerty, on behalf of the City Corporation to execute and deliver the Private Placement Transactions Documents to be executed under hand, by signing for and on behalf of the City Corporation in order to effect the second tranche of the Private Placement and on an ongoing basis. As the post of Deputy Chamberlain was vacant and in case anything should befall the Chamberlain, the Corporate Treasurer, Kate Limna, was also authorised on behalf of the City Corporation to execute and deliver those Private Placement Transactions Documents to be executed under hand by signing for and on behalf of the City Corporation.  It had been necessary to take this action under urgency as the Court was not scheduled to meet until 22 July 2021, and the second tranche of the private placement debt was due on 14 July 2021.

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

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

The Court received a report on measures introduced by Parliament which might have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows: -

There were no docquets for the Seal.

There was no report.

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

Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 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 17 June 2021.

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

To consider the confidential report accompanying Item 7 and elect the Commissioner.

City of London Police Authority Board

The Court approved the appointment of Angela McLaren to the Office of Commissioner of Police for the City of London on a date to be confirmed subject to receipt of the approval of Her Majesty The Queen (to be sought in accordance with Section III of the City of London Police Act 1839) and subsequently to the candidate taking an Oath before one of her Majesty’s Judges.

To consider proposals relating to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved proposals in relation to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

To consider proposals relating to the refurbishment of a property.

Bridge House Estates Board

The Court approved proposals in relation to the refurbishment of a property.

To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the Markets Consolidation Programme.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court noted actions taken under urgency procedures in relation to the Markets Consolidation Programme.

To note action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the purchase of a long leasehold.

Property Investment Board

The Court noted actions taken under urgency procedures in relation to the purchase of a long leasehold.