Agenda and minutes

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

Policy  Statement

There is no statement.

Hospital Seal

Sundry documents were sealed with the Hospital Seal.

A Bill for an Act of Common Council  to:-

• change the date of the elections of Ward Beadles;
• make incidental and consequential changes to the term of office of Ward Beadles;
• provide that any casual vacancy occurring in the office of Ward Beadles shall be filled by the Alderman of the ward in which the vacancy occurs;
• repeal the Act of Common Council made and passed on the 4^th day of December 2003.

a) Two Members on the Aldermanic Eligibility Working Party who are not a Member of the Policy and Resources Committee

Read.

Where upon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Bill Fraser and Julian Malins to have been appointed on the Aldermanic Eligibility Working Party.

Read.

Where upon the Lord Mayor declared Robert Howard and Deputy Richard Regan to have been appointed on the Social Investment Board of the Investment Committee.

a)   Three Members on the Health and Wellbeing Board for the balance of a term expiring in April 2015, 2016 and 2017 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received.

Nomination received:-

Vivienne Littlechild J.P.

Gareth Wynford Moore

Joyce Carruthers Nash, O.B.E., Deputy

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Gareth Moore, Vivienne Littlechild and Deputy Joyce Nash to have been appointed on the Health & Wellbeing Board for terms expiring in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.

b) One Member of the Board of Governors of the City of London School for the balance of a term to expire in April 2015.

Nominations received:-

Martin James Day, B.A., M.Sc., LL.M.

Michael Hudson

Sylvia Moys

Read.

The Court proceeded, in accordance with Standing Order No.10, to ballot on the vacancy.

The Lord Mayor appointed the Chief Commoner and the Chairman of the Finance Committee, or their representatives, to be the scrutineers of the ballot.

Resolved – That the votes be counted at the conclusion of the Court and the result printed in the Summons for the next meeting.

c) One Member on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School for the balance of a term to expire in April 2016 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nomination had been received.

Nomination received:

Stuart John Fraser C.B.E.

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Stuart Fraser to have been appointed on the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School.

d) Two Members on Christ’s Hospital for the four year terms to expire in January 2017 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received.

Nominations received:-

Alexander John Cameron Deane

Robin Anthony Eve, O.B.E, Deputy

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Alex Deane to have been appointed and Deputy Robin Eve to have been re-appointed on Christ’s Hospital.

e) Three Members on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry for one year terms to expire in March 2014 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received.

Nominations received:-

Roger Arthur Holden Chadwick

Simon D’Olier Duckworth, D.L.

Michael Page, B.A. (Hons.)

Read.

Where upon the Lord Mayor declared Roger Chadwick, Simon Duckworth and Michael Page to have been re-appointed on the Guild Church Council of St Lawrence Jewry.

f) Three Members to become Trustees of the Castle Baynard Educational Foundation (incorporating the Samuel Wilson Trust) for three year terms to expire on March 2016 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received.

Nominations received: -

Raymond Michael Catt

Nigel Kenneth Challis

Catherine McGuinness, M.A., Deputy

Read.

Where upon the Lord Mayor declared Ray Catt, Nigel Challis and Deputy Catherine McGuinness to be appointed as Trustees of the Castle Baynard Educational Foundation (incorporating the Samuel Wilson Trust).

g) One Member on the City Arts Trust for a four year term to expire in January 2017 in respect of the Town Clerk report the following nomination had been received.

Nomination received:

Sir David Wootton, Alderman

Read.

Where upon the Lord Mayor declared Alderman, Sir David Wootton to be re- appointed on the City Arts Trust.

h) One Member on the City Archaeological Trust for the balance of a term to expire in May 2015 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received.

Nominations received: -

Michael Hudson

Virginia Rounding

Read.

The Court proceeded, in accordance with Standing Order No.10, to ballot on the vacancy.

The Lord Mayor appointed the Chief Commoner and the Chairman of the Finance Committee, or their representatives, to be the scrutineers of the ballot.

Resolved – That the votes be counted at the conclusion of the Court and the result printed in the Summons for the next meeting.

i) One Member of the City of London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for the balance of a term to expire in May 2015 in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nomination had been received.

Nominations received: -

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

Read.

Whereupon the Lord Mayor declared Deputy Edward Lord to be appointed on the City of London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

Bearing in mind the involvement of the then Comptroller and City Solicitor, Charles Pearson, and the City Corporation, in the creation of the London Underground 150 years ago, Archie Galloway asked the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee about the anticipated benefits of Crossrail.

In response and in acknowledging the City Corporation’s involvement in the development of London’s Underground system, the Chairman stated that he believed that the City Corporation’s investment in Crossrail would provide significant benefits for transport users and the economy more generally and he outlined those benefits. In particular, it was anticipated that Crossrail would provide London and the South East with a world-class, high capacity affordable railway which would ease congestion on London's public transport system, provide better access to the capital and generate significant employment opportunities. It would encourage regeneration and social inclusion and provide access to thousands of job opportunities, acting as a catalyst for regeneration.  It is thought that Crossrail would support the delivery of 57,000 new homes and 3.25 million square metres of commercial space, with significant property investment taking place at locations including the City, Canary Wharf, Farringdon and Whitechapel. The Chairman reminded Members that eight new stations were to be built as part of the project, with significant ground level development, creating new office, retail and recreation locations across London and added that the City Corporation was working closely with Crossrail and TfL to ensure that the public realm around Liverpool Street, Moorgate and Farringdon stations were upgraded to provide an attractive environment for the increasing number of passengers who would be using these key stations when Crossrail services started to run in 2018.

Nomination of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen

Resolved –   That Alderman Alan Yarrow be appointed on the Policy and Resources Committee in the room of Alderman Roger Gifford (now on the Committee as The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor).

There were no motions.

Tower Bridge Award

(Report of the Chairman of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee)

Members will be interested to learn that Tower Bridge was declared the UK’s Best Unusual Venue at the 2012 UK: Event Awards at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, 23 November 2012. Event professionals from all over the UK attended the awards ceremony, now in its third year.

The UK: Event Awards honours outstanding business-to-business and business-to-consumer events including corporate events, product launches, company exhibitions, presentations, hospitality, celebratory events, meetings and conferences of all sizes and formats in the UK. This award was given in recognition of the innovations that have been introduced at Tower Bridge, the increase in events held, the number of new clients and Tower Bridge’s involvement in some very high profile events. The award complements the Bridge’s previous accolades as a leading events venue; consisting of the 2009 COOL Award for Best Small Meeting Space, the 2010 Eventia Award for Best Venue and the 2011 Event Magazine award for Best Small Venue.

Received.

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE 

(Martin Charles Farr)

15 January 2013

On-Street Parking Surplus 2011/12

Section 55(3A) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) requires the City of London Corporation (together with the London Borough Councils and Transport for London) to report to the Mayor of London on action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in their On-Street Parking Account for each financial year.

We submit a short printed and circulated report thereon, which we recommend be noted and submitted to the Mayor of London.

Read and agreed to.

BARBICAN CENTRE BOARD 

(Catherine McGuinness, MA, Deputy)

Replacement of the Barbican Flying System- amendment of the contract sum

At its meeting on 19 January 2012, the Court of Common Council authorised the replacement of the Barbican Theatre’s powered flying system at a cost of £3,781,000.

Prior to this authorisation, in accordance with standard practice, your Barbican Centre Board, Finance Committee and Projects Sub Committee had also authorised a budget of £100,000 for specialist project management resource. Unfortunately, this sum was omitted from the subsequent report to the Court of Common Council.

Members are therefore invited to regularise this position and authorise the sum of £100,000 for specialist project management support and we recommend accordingly.

Members are advised that in November 2012, Gateway 5 authority to start work on the project was approved by the above Committees and the total budget for the project is within the regularised position sought today.

Read and agreed to.

LICENSING COMMITTEE

(Edward Lord Esq, OBE, JP, Deputy)

14 January 2013

(A)       Licensing Act 2003 - Review of Statement of Licensing Policy

The Licensing Act 2003 imposes a statutory requirement for each licensing authority to now publish a Statement of Licensing Policy every five years. Although not due for a review until 2016 the current Policy (published in January 2011) is being reviewed now to reflect policy, procedural and legislative changes.

Your Licensing Committee will be considering a draft policy on 14 January 2013 following a period of consultation conducted during November/December 2012. In order that the policy can be approved at the earliest opportunity, we are submitting it to the Court at this stage in draft form and subject to our consideration.

Any amendments made by your Licensing Committee will be reported to the Court and subject to that we recommend that the revised Statement of Licensing Policy, as set out in the separately printed and circulated draft report, be approved for adoption from 17 January 2013.

In introducing the report the Chairman referred to a note of recent amendments to the report which had been emailed to Honorable Members and circulated at the bar of the Court.

Read and agreed to, subject to the amendments set out in the note tabled at the meeting.

In response to Members’ references to recent suicides from licensed premises and to those needing help with drink or gambling problems, the Chairman undertook to consider a recent government policy statement to assess any steps which may be taken.

B) Gambling Act 2005 - Review of Statement of Licensing Principles

The Gambling Act 2005 imposes a statutory requirement for each licensing authority to publish a Statement of Licensing Principles every three years. The current policy was published in January 2010 and is being reviewed in line with that requirement.

Your Licensing Committee will be considering a draft policy on 14 January 2013 following a period of consultation conducted during November/December 2012. In order that the policy can be approved at the earliest opportunity, we are submitting it to the Court at this stage in draft form and subject to our consideration.

Any amendments made by your Licensing Committee will be reported to the Court and subject to that we recommend that the revised Statement of Licensing Principles, as set out in the separately printed and circulated draft report, be approved for adoption from 17 January 2013.

Read and agreed to.

Policy, Finance, Establishment, Investment and Audit Committees – Reports

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE 

(Mark John Boleat)

4 October 2012

At its meeting on 19 January 2012 the Court considered a report on the introduction of a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) re-checking process for relevant Members. Officers were asked to consider the potential impact of the Protection of Freedoms Bill on the CRB checks process. The Bill was subsequently enacted in April 2012 and the Home Office published guidance on the alterations in July 2012 and the first phase came into force in September 2012.  On 1 December 2012 the CRB became part of the new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) but the disclosures will be referred to as CRB in the report for ease of reference.

The changes to the national disclosure regime brought about by the Protection of Freedoms Act, mean that checks and re-checks on Members should now be carried out where they have relevant contact with children and vulnerable adults, and not simply by virtue of their membership of a previously relevant Board or Committee. As a consequence, revised proposals have been considered by this Committee, the various School Boards and the Community and Children’s Services Committee.

A printed and circulated report on the revised proposals has been submitted and we commend the recommendations to you.

(B) Applications for the Use of Guildhall 

3 December 2012

In accordance with the arrangements approved by the Court on 21 June 2001 for the approval of applications for the use of Guildhall, we now inform the Court of the following applications which have been agreed to:-

In October 2012 the Court agreed proposals for a new initiative to help tackle the growing problem of rising numbers of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), entitled “Get Young People Working – The Youth Offer”. At that time Members acknowledged that there was a further need for the City Corporation to explore how it could do more to support this important area of work with its partners and neighbouring boroughs. Your Policy and Resources Committee undertook to consider how the development of an additional project, which complemented the Get Young People Working initiative, might be progressed.

Officers have subsequently developed an initiative in partnership with Central London Forward (CLF) aimed specifically at the City Corporation’s neighbouring boroughs which we support. The project comprises three strands, training, mentoring and an Employability Passport for 14 – 16 year olds and any funds allocated to it would be used to leverage additional funding and commitment from other organisations

A printed and circulated report on the initiative has therefore been submitted for your consideration and we commend the recommendations contained therein to you.

Read and agreed to.

(John Alfred Barker, OBE, Deputy)

12 December 2012

Contract Award for the Supply of Temporary Labour

In April 2008, Comensura was awarded a 5 year contract to manage the supply of temporary staff that the City Corporation needs and which are drawn from a range of agencies.  The annual spend on temporary staff has been around £6.5M and the annual fee for Comensura approximately £84,000.

The contract ends in March 2013 and we have given consideration to a new one.  To have a managed provider of agency staff is an arrangement we still consider to be preferable, more efficient, more cost effective, than the City Corporation negotiating with eighty or more agencies itself.

In recent years, work has been done by a number of local authorities to achieve reductions in costs by collaborating in the arrangements for purchasing services.  The Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) is one of the UK’s  largest public sector professional ‘buying’ organisations and is, in effect, a Local Government Joint Committee owned by seven local authorities, operating on a not for profit, cost recovery, basis.  Over ninety authorities across the country now use the ESPO, which draws on a number of suppliers, looking at price and quality.

Furthermore, London Councils has taken the initiative of running a competition for a supplier that could work with the ESPO on behalf of those London Boroughs that wished to sign up to such an arrangement.  Comensura won that competition and six London Boroughs have already signed up.

Having evaluated the benefits, including of course costs and the ability through this arrangement to continue to use local small and medium sized firms to provide temporary staff, we consider that contracts can be entered into for two years, with the provision to extend for a further two years, with

City's Cash Committees - Reports

(John Alfred Bennett, Deputy)

30 November 2012

City of London Freemen's School - Foundation Scholarship

On 24 March 1960, the Court approved regulations under which children of a deceased Freeman, male or female, of the City of London, could be elected, upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors, as Foundation Scholars at the City of London Freemen’s School.

We have recently considered an application from the mother of a child, seeking Foundation Scholar status for her son following the death of his father (a Freemen and former pupil of the City of London Freemen’s School) in August 2012.

The pupil first joined the School as a day pupil in Year 9 in September 2010 and entered Year 11 in the Autumn term 2012. He qualifies for a Foundation Scholarship under the approved regulations.

Scholarships are awarded on a means tested basis and the assessment overseen by the Board indicates that a maximum 100% scholarship would be payable in relation to this pupil which would allow him to complete his ‘A’ level education at the School (subject to annual review). There are sufficient resources available within the dedicated Foundation Scholarship Fund to meet the cost of the new application. 

We recommend, in accordance with the Scheme, that the child concerned be accepted as a Foundation Scholar for the 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years, in order to enable him to complete his ‘A’ Level studies at the School. This Scholarship will be subject to annual review by the Board of Governors.

Read and agreed to.

BARRADELL

The meeting commenced at 1pm and ended at 1.45pm