Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from George Gillon, Deputy Brian Harris, Alderman Ian Luder and the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 9 October 2015.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendment of two typographical errors, the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 9 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members received a report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approves the Terms of Reference of the Gresham (City Side) Committee for submission to the Court of Common Council, and agrees that meetings should remain scheduled at the same frequency.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk confirming that the ownership and responsibility for the Gresham Music Collection lay with Gresham College, and that it was insured by the City of London Corporation, along with the Guildhall Library’s other collections. Members noted that the collection was not part of the original Gresham bequest, but was in the Committee’s interest. Although the Committee was not in a position to help financially, Members offered to suggest interested parties or organisations where funding might be available. It was also noted that Professor John Guy had been made aware of the collection, should it have relevance to the biography of Sir Thomas Gresham. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding the Gresham Almshouses. Members were advised of the recent decision taken by the Community & Children’s Services Committee regarding the redevelopment of Mais House as lifetime homes prioritised for older people, and noted that officers would be supporting the current 53 residents at Mais House to move to alternative accommodation over the next 2 – 3 years. Officers confirmed that, although this might include City of London Almshouses, Mais House residents would not necessarily qualify for additional priority for the Gresham Almshouses.

The Chairman thanked members of the Committee for attending the Hamper visit in December and requested that an additional visit be arranged, preferably in the summer, so more Members would be able to attend and meet Almshouses residents. The Chief Commoner suggested that a representative from the London Borough of Lambeth also be invited to such a visit.

RESOLVED – That the Town Clerk facilitate an additional visit to the Almshouses, and the report be noted.

In response to a Member’s question regarding the commemoration of the 350^th anniversary of the Great Fire of London in September, it was noted that the Museum of London and Gresham College were hosting a number of lectures.

A Member advised the Committee of the proposal to set up a “Gresham Prize” which had been discussed at a recent Council of Gresham College meeting. This was in an early stage, but could dovetail with proposals for the new Centre for Music in London in order to increase the profile of the College.

There was no other business.

MOTION - That under Section 100A 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item Nos.                                                        Exempt Paragraph(s)

10-11                                                                           3

12-13                                                                           -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2015.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the various items on the agenda for the meeting of the Joint Grand Gresham Committee that day.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.