Agenda and minutes

At the outset of the meeting, as the senior Alderman in attendance, Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley was moved into the Chair until the election of a Chairman.

Apologies for absence were received from the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor, Alderman William Russell, and Alderman John Garbutt.

John Scott declared an interest in Item 16 by virtue of his membership of the Board of Governors of the Museum of London.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council on 15 April 2021 appointing the Committee and approving its terms of reference.

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council on 15 April 2021, appointing the Committee and approving its terms of reference.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No.29. The Town Clerk invited expressions of interest and Sheriff Christopher Hayward, being the only Member who expressed willingness to serve, was duly elected as Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year. The Chairman thanked Members for their continued support and expressed his anticipation in leading the Committee during the next year.

The Chairman then led the Committee in pausing for a moment of reflection for Alderman Sir Roger Gifford, a former Lord Mayor, City Side Member and Chairman of the Joint Grand Gresham Committee, following the sad news of his recent death.

The Chairman then formally welcomed new Members of the Committee Alexander Barr, and in his absence, Alderman John Garbutt, on their first meeting of the Committee. The Chairman then gave thanks on behalf of the Committee to outgoing Members Nick Bensted-Smith and Alderman & Sheriff Professor Michael Mainelli for their contributions to the Committee, having served with great distinction.

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chair in accordance with Standing Order No.30. The Town Clerk invited expressions of interest and Deputy Edward Lord, being the only Member who expressed willingness to serve, was duly elected as Deputy Chair of the Committee for the ensuing year.

The Deputy Chair thanked Members of the Committee for their support and pledged to support the Chairman and the work of the Committee.

The Chairman then gave thanks to the outgoing Deputy Chairman, Deputy Dr Giles Shilson, for his support during his year as Deputy Chairman.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 26 February 2021.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 26 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk inviting Members to consider the appointment of representatives on the Gresham College Council and to the Gresham Working Party. The Chairman introduced the item and drew the Committee’s attention to the composite matters requiring the Committee’s consideration.

The Committee noted that there was one vacancy on the Gresham College Council, in the room of Nick Bensted-Smith. Expressions of interest were sought from Members, and Deputy Edward Lord, being the only Member indicating willingness to serve, was duly appointed.

The Committee then considered the appointment of up to four Members to the Gresham Working Party. The Chairman advised that there was likely to be little call on the Working Party this year, and consequently less conflict of interest in Members serving on both the College Council and the Working Party. Expressions of interest were sought from Members, and Simon Duckworth, Deputy Tom Hoffman, Wendy Mead and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson were duly appointed.

RESOLVED – That the Gresham (City Side) Committee:

1.    Agree to appoint Deputy Edward Lord to the Gresham College Council, for a four-year term expiring 2025;

2.    Note and endorse the Committee’s long-standing arrangement whereby the Chairman (or such other Member as he may nominate in his absence) shall serve as one of the College Council’s Vice Chairs and act as the City Side’s “voting Member” where required;

3.    Agree to appoint Simon Duckworth, Deputy Tom Hoffman, Wendy Mead and Deputy Dr Giles Shilson to the Gresham Working Party; and

4.    Endorse the standing delegated authority arrangements in respect of the Gresham Working Party, as set out in the report.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain presenting the 2020/21 revenue outturn for the Gresham (City Side) Committee. The Committee noted a reduction in net expenditure of £8,000.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain providing a key risks register for the Sir Thomas Gresham Charity. The Committee noted that there were no new risks, with two existing risks having reduced scores.

RESOLVED – That the Gresham (City Side) Committee review the risk register, and confirm that it satisfactorily sets out the risks faced by the charity and appropriate measures are in place to mitigate those risks.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services giving Trustees an information update on the Gresham Almshouses in Lambeth. The Committee gave thanks to the Director of Community and Children’s Services for the effective management of the Almshouses during the difficult circumstances of the past year.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director of Community and Children’s Services advised that the refurbishment works to the Almshouses were expected to be fully completed by January 2022. The Director of Community and Children’s Services also advised that the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee had suggested a provisional date of Monday 6 December 2021 for the Annual Christmas Hamper visit.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk advising Members of an action taken by the Town Clerk since the last meeting of the Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, in accordance with Standing Order No. 41(b).

The Chairman advised that the Joint Grand Gresham Committee’s Flag Working Party had met earlier in the week and invited one of the Members present to update the Committee on its deliberations. The Committee noted that the Working Party had considered a triumvirate design of the crests of the sponsors and Gresham Arms, and had undertaken to collect information on the relevant specifications required and the appropriateness of the designs in relation to the setting. A Member suggested that an explanatory board or plaque inside the Royal Exchange may be appropriate once the flag had been installed, which was endorsed by the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

The Chairman then thanked Members of the public watching on YouTube for their participation.

MOTION – With the Court of Common Council for the City Corporation as Trustee of The Sir Thomas Gresham Charity (charity number: 221982)having decided to treat these meetings as though Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 applied to them, it now be moved that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that their consideration will in each case disclose exempt information of the description in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A, being information relating to the financial and business affairs of any person (including the City Corporation as Trustee of the charity) which it would not be in the charity’s best interests to disclose.

RESOLVED – That, with the Court of Common Council for the City Corporation as Trustee of The Sir Thomas Gresham Charity (charity number: 221982) having decided to treat

these meetings as though Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act

1972 applied to them, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that their consideration will in each case disclose exempt information of the description in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A, being information relating to the financial and business affairs of any person (including the City Corporation as Trustee of the charity) which it would not be in the charity’s best interests to disclose.

Item Nos.                                                        Exempt Paragraph(s)

15 - 17                                                                                     3

18 - 19                                                                                     -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2021.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk.

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 one item of other business.