Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Members and officers to the meeting as well as members of the public participating via YouTube.

Apologies for absence were received from the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 28 May 2021.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 28 May 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk inviting the Committee to review its terms of reference. The Committee noted its obligation with respect to the provision of a proper place for delivery of lectures, and the challenges presented by the Museum of London Relocation project. The Chairman advised that various options had been drawn up, and that the matter would be discussed at the Joint Grand Gresham Committee meeting that afternoon.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the terms of reference of the Gresham Committee (City Side) for submission to the Court, as set out.

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk updating the Committee on restoration activity in respect of the Gresham Music Collection and other Collections. The Chairman introduced the item, drawing Members’ attention to the findings of the Collection Survey and noting the estimated costs of conservation work on the remaining items of the Collection. The Chairman commented that Members may consider the current context of Service Committee savings targets in assessing whether a funding bid for the conservation work would be appropriate, adding that he was advised that a decision to defer progression of a funding bid would not result in further deterioration of the works. The Committee further noted confirmation in the report that the Gresham Collection was the property of Gresham College.

Members felt that further information in respect of the Collection was required for an informed decision on the appropriateness of further conservation work, such as the rarity and value of individual pieces, noting that the least valuable items may not justify conservation. The Town Clerk advised that some additional information had been sought from the Guildhall Library, and informed the Committee that a high-level estimate valued the entire Collection at around £1.5million, with an average value per item of around £1,000. A more detailed breakdown of item values had not been undertaken.

In light of this, Members commented that it may be preferable to prioritise the most valuable items, given the conservation work already undertaken on the Music Collection, with the remaining items considered selectively. The Committee agreed that a decision on a bid for funding for the restoration of the remainder of the Collection should be deferred, in order that the views of the Mercers’ Side on the proposals be sought at the Joint Grand Gresham Committee, and that more detailed information on the

Report of the Chamberlain

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain presenting the annual submission of the revenue budgets and seeking approval for the 2021/22 latest revenue budget and the proposed revenue budget for 2022/23 for subsequent submission to the Finance Committee. The Chamberlain introduced the report and advised that an application to carry forward unspent contingency funds could be made. The Chairman agreed that this request should be made and asked that Members support this application when considered.

RESOLVED – That the Gresham (City Side) Committee:

i)              Review the latest 2021/22 revenue budget and approve the budget for submission to the Finance Committee; and

ii)             Review the proposed 2022/23 revenue budget and approve the budget for submission to the Finance Committee.

Report of the Chamberlain

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain providing Members with a copy of the draft Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 for The Sir Thomas Gresham Charity (charity number: 221982). Members noted a typographical error within the report and asked that this be corrected. The Deputy Chair commented that the Committee had previously raised the suggestion of listing the Committee Members within the Annual Report and asked that this be actioned. The Chamberlain confirmed that this would be added to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the Annual Report be amended, as above.

Report of the Town Clerk

The Board received a report of the Town Clerk advising Members of action taken by the Town Clerk since the last meeting of the Sub-Committee, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chair, in accordance with Standing Order Nos. 41(a) and (b). The Chairman commented that the Gresham flag had now been produced and could now been seen flying above the Royal Exchange. The Chairman then paid tribute to the Flag Working Party for their work, and the Committee recorded its thanks to the Members of the Working Party for their contributions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

The Chairman then thanked Members of the public observing via 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2021.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estates and Chief Charities Officer

The Committee considered a report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estates (BHE) and Chief Charities Officer.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

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

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

There was one question.

There was no other business.