Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Karina Dostalova.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2021.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 12^th May 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which provided details of outstanding actions from previous meetings.

Item 7 from May 2021 (TRT Staffing Workstream – Work Experience and Training Budget)

The Report was progressing to P&R, however, officers have rearranged funding arrangements for this workstream, so there will be no call for additional funding.

Item 11 from May 2021 (Corporate Home / Remote Working Policy (Health and Safety) - Draft)

A Member had asked what the Corporation had spent to equip people to work from home over the course of the pandemic. The Chamberlain responded that the sum had, so far, totalled £1.7m; most of this was absorbed by departmental local risk budgets, with £313K charged to the P&R Covid Fund.

RESOLVED – that the Committee noted the Report.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a Joint Report of The Town Clerk & Chief Executive and The Chamberlain.

Several Members remarked that, whilst it was still early days in the process, there was a lot of work to be done to ensure we achieved the savings flight path.

The Chamberlain stressed that, as well as the TOM savings, the challenge also extended to the securing savings under Medium Term Financial Plan. Noting the one-off savings identified by serval departments, it was vital that, on the whole, the savings secured were sustainable and fixed. The Chamberlain added the RASC away day in July would provide Members with an opportunity to drill down on the current proposals.

The Chairman of the Efficiency & Performance (Finance) Sub-Committee pointed out that the Report had been reviewed by that Sub the previous week, Members there had asked for future iterations of this Report to include better graphical representations of the savings secured and still to be achieved (e.g. by way of a graphic barometer)  in future. He pledged to work with the Chair of the Establishment Committee to ensure that both Committees, whilst examining these issues with slightly different lenses, worked in lockstep over the coming months.

RESOLVED – that the Committee noted the Report.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee received a Report of the Director of Human Resources concerning recent developments in UK Employment Law.

A Member highlighted the recent news that the Government was considering legislation to give employees the legal right to work from home. The Member stressed that this type of blanket policy would be undesirable, and that the Corporation should oppose it.

Officers responded that, whilst there were benefits from a more hybrid way of working, there was likely to be a degree of flexibility in any legislation, giving employers the ability to justify asking employees to come into the workplace on a regular basis, according to the needs of the business. They would keep the development of the legislation monitored and would report back in due course.

RESOLVED – that the Committee noted the Report.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a Report of the Chamberlain concerning the ERP Project Delivery.

RESOLVED – that the Committee approved the governance approach of the ERP Solution.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee considered a Report of the Director of Human Resources concerning the Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy.

In response to a query, officers confirmed that they would be returning with an update Report outlining metrics around the mental health and wellbeing of employees. This will also include information around the take up of mental health first-aid training.

RESOLVED – that the Committee approved the revised corporate Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee received a Report of the Director of Human Resources concerning the Annual Employee Profile Report for 2020 – 2021.

Responding to the Chair’s concern about the increase in leavers from a BAME background, officers recognised that whilst this had been a gradual incremental increase over recent years, it was a worrying trend and further exploration as to the reasons for the increase were required, this would include analysing answers from exit interviews.

RESOLVED – that the Committee noted the Report.

Report of the Director of Human Resources.

The Committee received a Report of the Director of Human Resources concerning the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme and Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2021 submission.

The Committee expressed its wholehearted support for the Corporation remaining part of the Diversity Champions Programme. Despite noting recent negative headlines in the media, it was stressed by several Members that to withdraw now would send a very damaging signal to LBGT+ staff.

RESOLVED – that the Committee noted the Report and endorsed the Corporation remaining a member organisation of the programme.

Questions were raised as follows –

In response to a query, officers confirmed that the Corporation will be flying the Progress Pride Flag this year.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2021.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May were approved.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Committee received a Report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor concerning the savings confirmed/unidentified under the Comptroller & City Solicitors Department (C&CS).

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

To agree the Confidential minutes of the last meeting held on 12 May 2021.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May were approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee noted a report of the Town Clerk which provided details of confidential outstanding actions from previous meetings.

Report of the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a Report of the Chamberlain.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a Report of the City Surveyor.

Joint Report of the Head of the City of London School and the Head of the City of London School for Girls.

The Committee considered a Report of the Head of City of London School and Head of City of London School for Girls.

Joint Report of the Head of the City of London School, the Head of the City of London School for Girls, and the Head of the City of London Freemens School.

The Committee considered a Joint Report of the Head of the City of London School, the Head of the City of London School for Girls, and the Head of the City of London Freemens School.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee considered a Report of the City Remembrancer.

Report of the Head of the City of London School.

The Chair to be heard.

The Committee received an update from the Chair concerning the Pay Award.

The Director of Human Resources to be heard.

The Committee considered an update of the Director of Human Resources concerning furlough.

The Town Clerk to be heard.

The Town Clerk provided an update on several points.