Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall
Contact: Gregory Moore
tel. no.: 020 7332 1399
Email: gregory.moore@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Apologies Minutes: Apologies were received from the Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor Alderman Charles Bowman, Henry Colthurst, Christopher Hayward, and Deputy Joyce Nash. |
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DECLARATIONS BY MEMBERS OF ANY PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA Minutes: Deputy Catherine McGuinness declared a non-pecuniary item in respect of a recommendation to be considered at Item 17d, concerning accommodation arrangements at Guildhall for the Policy Chairman. |
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Minutes To consider minutes as follows:- Minutes: |
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To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2018. PDF 104 KB Minutes: The public minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 6September 2018 were approved, subject to an addition under item 11 (“Social Mobility Strategy”) to incorporate an additional reference in relation to exploring social mobility into the City in relation to employment. It was also asked that the minutes reflect a request to make looking at actions the City Corporation could take in the first instance as the highest priority item.
Matters Arising Virtual Access to Meetings: It was advised that this report would now be coming to the November meeting.
Congestion Charge Timing: It was asked that an update be sought in respect of altering the timings of traffic restrictions at Bank Junction to correspond with congestion charge timings.
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Minutes: The draft public minutes of the meeting of the Project Sub-Committee held on 12September 2018 were noted.
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Minutes: The draft public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee held on 3 September were noted. |
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Minutes: The draft public minutes of the Members Privileges Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 September were noted.
Matters Arising Chief Commoner: A Member, also the Deputy Chairman of the Livery Committee, advised that he would ask that Committee to consider how it might assist in raising the profile or awareness of the Chief Commoner’s role amongst the Livery. |
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Appointments to Committees To elect one representative to the Social Investment Board and one representative to the Education Board. Minutes: The Committee considered the appointment of one representative to the Social Investment Board and one representative to the Education Board.
RESOLVED – That:- 1. Deputy Henry Pollard be appointed as the Committee’s representative on the Social Investment Board; and 2. Tijs Broeke be appointed as the Committee’s representative on the Education Board.
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Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Update PDF 68 KB Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor updating on requests received under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 and seeking delegated authority to make such changes to Policy and Procedure as required to comply with current law and guidance.
RESOLVED: That authority be granted to the Comptroller and City Solicitor to make such changes to the RIPA Policy and Procedure as he considers necessary to comply with current law and guidance.
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Living Wage Accreditation - Potential enhancements PDF 120 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain proposing enhancements to the City Corporation’s London Living Wage Policy to build on its existing strong commitment.
Several Members spoke in support of the various proposals to enhance the City Corporation’s commitment to the Living Wage and urged that the organisation continue to lead by example in this area, particularly given the campaign proposed at item 7. The Committee therefore agreed to implement the Living Wage for all City Corporation staff, including back-dating of payments, observing that there was a moral imperative to comply with the full spirit of the Living Wage agreement.
The question of implementation with regard to contracted supplier staff was discussed, with Members noting that there might be particular complexities in some cases whereby certain contractors refused to apply the increase with immediate effect. It was agreed that all contractors should be approached and asked to apply the increase and, in the event that any refused, the uplift should be factored in to new contracts once existing agreements expired.
RESOLVED: That Members:- 1. Agree to enhance the commitment to the Living Wage through the mandating of payment of the Living Wage to all contracted supplier staff delivering two hours or more work for the City Corporation. 2. Agree to commence discussions with the Living Wage Foundation on the Corporation being an early adopter of their ‘in-development’ enhanced accreditation standard. 3. Approve a change to our existing policy and mandate the back dating of the payments of Living Wage to affected staff to the date of the announcement each year from Financial year 2019/2020 onwards: i. For our own staff and apprentices with £150k additional costs per annum. ii. For both our own staff and suppliers’ staff with £400k additional costs per annum. 4. Agree to uplift immediately payments |
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London Living Wage Campaign PDF 102 KB Report of the Director of Economic Development. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development proposing the City Corporation run a campaign in 2018/19 to encourage financial and professional services businesses in the Square Mile to pay the London Living Wage at £10.20 per hour.
A Member queried why the campaign was to be focused solely on financial and professional services companies and not the wider range of City businesses. Replying, the Director of Economic Development advised that, as this was the first time such a campaign had been attempted by the City Corporation, it had been deemed prudent to focus in the first instance on working with those sectors with whom the Corporation already enjoyed a close pre-existing relationship. In addition, given the high wages often paid by such businesses to some employees, it was felt that the campaign would have more weight and impact in this area. Should this initial campaign prove successful, a decision could be taken to expand the campaign more widely.
RESOLVED: That approval be given to:- 1. Commencement of a business-facing London Living Wage campaign in 2018/19 with the aim of demonstrating the commercial and societal benefits of paying the London Living Wage. 2. Part-funding of £15,000 for the London Living Wage Campaign to be met from the Committee’s Policy and Initiatives Fund for 2018/19 categorised as ‘Communities’ and charged to City’s Cash.
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Member travel relating to International Export and Investment Programme PDF 51 KB Report of the Director of Economic Development. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economic Development proposing the City Corporation run a campaign in 2018/19 to encourage financial and professional services businesses in the Square Mile to pay the London Living Wage at £10.20 per hour.
A Member queried why the campaign was to be focused solely on financial and professional services companies and not the wider range of City businesses. Replying, the Director of Economic Development advised that, as this was the first time such a campaign had been attempted by the City Corporation, it had been deemed prudent to focus in the first instance on working with those sectors with whom the Corporation already enjoyed a close pre-existing relationship. In addition, given the high wages often paid by such businesses to some employees, it was felt that the campaign would have more weight and impact in this area. Should this initial campaign prove successful, a decision could be taken to expand the campaign more widely.
RESOLVED: That approval be given to:- 1. Commencement of a business-facing London Living Wage campaign in 2018/19 with the aim of demonstrating the commercial and societal benefits of paying the London Living Wage.
2. Part-funding of £15,000 for the London Living Wage Campaign to be met from the Committee’s Policy and Initiatives Fund for 2018/19 categorised as ‘Communities’ and charged to City’s Cash.
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Exports and Investment Regional Strategy: Interim Update PDF 73 KB Report of the Director of Economic Development. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Director of Economic Development updating on engagement with the three regional centres of Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester to support export and investment in financial and professional services.
RESOLVED: That the report be received and its contents noted.
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2018/19 Mayoral Programme PDF 94 KB Report of the Director of Communications. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Director of Communications outlining the proposed theme of the 2018/19 Lord Mayoralty of the City of London, ‘Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today’.
On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman congratulated Alderman Peter Estlin on his election as Lord Mayor.
RESOLVED: That the proposed 2018/19 Mayoral them be noted.
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Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency PDF 43 KB Report of the Chamberlain. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain updating on projects and activities that had received Policy Initiatives Funding for 2018/19.
The Chairman advised that a report concerning the issue of multi-year requests for PIF funding was currently being prepared and would be submitted to a forthcoming meeting.
RESOLVED: That the report be received and its contents noted. |
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Ex-Officio Membership PDF 134 KB Rreport of the Town Clerk (TO FOLLOW). Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk outlining the current membership of the Committee and seeking views on the Committee’s composition moving forward.
Members discussed the implications of any change, with a range of views expressed as to the Committee’s current composition and effectiveness.
The addition of the City Bridge Trust Chairman as an ex-officio Member was particularly debated, with some Members arguing that the increasing strategic role and profile of the Trust’s work provided a sound rationale for the change. However, a number of Members expressed concern that any such change could potentially risk clouding the separation that existed between the role of the City Bridge Trust and Bridge House Estates and the rest of the City Corporation’s activities.
Ultimately, Members were minded that it would not be desirable to make any changes to the Committee at this point in time, including the potential addition of the Chairman of The City Bridge Trust Committee as an ex-officio Member. Two Members, Tijs Broeke and Deputy Edward Lord, asked that their dissent be recorded in relation to the decision not to extend ex-officio Membership to the Chairman of The City Bridge Trust Committee.
RESOLVED: That no changed be made to the current composition of the Policy and Resources Committee.
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London Business Rates Pool - Strategic Investment Pot PDF 91 KB Report of the Chamberlain (TO FOLLOW). Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain seeking approval to eight recommended bids to the Strategic Investment Pot (SIP).
RESOLVED: That,
1. The recommendations as set out in the SIP Consultation Report be approved. 2. SIP funding be allocated according to the outcomes of the consultation with London Boroughs and the GLA which totals at £46.83m in the City of London Corporation’s role as lead authority for the pot. |
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QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE Minutes: There were three questions:
Occupational Health Support It was asked if thought could be given to the provision of occupational health support for Members, for instance in relation to physical and mental support, including the availability of therapy for stress, depression and so on. Whilst it was noted that Members were not employees, they were a vital part of the Corporation’s workforce and, for several the City Corporation was the primary or sole professional organisation in which they were based; thus, they were unlikely to have access to any such services elsewhere.
The Chief Commoner advised that he had asked this matter to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Members’ Privileges Sub-Committee, so that it might be given appropriate consideration.
In response to a further query, it was confirmed that ‘flu inoculations were not routinely offered to either staff or Members. It was suggested that the Establishment and Health & Wellbeing Board might wish to consider the advisability of introducing such an offer.
Security Cameras on City Bridges A Member reminded the Committee of a previous decision in respect of the placement of particular cameras on City Bridges which would provide a valuable tool in respect of suicide prevention, allowing earlier identification of and response to incidents. It was suggested that the cameras’ installation had been delayed as a consequence of them being brought into a larger project postponed the installation of security cameras across the City, which had encountered delays. The Member asked that this matter be looked into and an update on the position provided.
Immigration In the wake of the Prime Minister’s recent announcement concerning immigration post-Brexit, a Member asked if a report could be produced outlining the implications for the City and updating on the Corporation’s engagement with Government on the issue |
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT Minutes: There were no urgent items. |
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Exclusion of the Public MOTION - 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. Minutes: RESOLVED: That under Section 100(4) 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.
Item No. Paragraph No. 17a-23 3
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Non-Public Minutes To consider non-public minutes of meetings as follows:- Minutes: |
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To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2018. Minutes: The non-public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 6 September were approved. |
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To note the draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 September 2018. Minutes: The draft non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 September were noted. |
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To note the draft minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 11 September 2018 Minutes: The draft minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 11 September 2018 were noted. |
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To note the draft non-public minutes of the Members Privileges Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 September 2018 Minutes: The draft non-public minutes of the Members Privileges Sub-Committee meeting held on 3 September 2018 were noted and a recommendation relating to Members’ Accommodation was agreed.
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Markets Consolidation Programme - Billingsgate Market site - proposed Memorandum of Understanding with London Borough of Tower Hamlets Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The Committee considered and approved a report of the City Surveyor relating to the Markets Consolidation Programme. |
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City Surveyor's Local Risk Budget - Additional Resources Request Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The Committee considered and approved a report of the City Surveyor relating to a proposed uplift to his department’s local risk budget.
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Service Based Review Update Report Report of the Chamberlain. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain providing an update in respect of the monitoring of Service Based Review savings.
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Museum of London Relocation Report of the Town Clerk (TO FOLLOW). Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk providing an update in relation to the Museum of London Relocation. |
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Beech Street Transformation Project Report of the Managing Director, Barbican Centre (TO FOLLOW). Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the Managing Director, Barbican Centre, relating to the Beech Street Transformation Project. |
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DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OR URGENCY POWERS Report of the Town Clerk. Minutes: The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out one action taken under delegated authority, relative to the Markets Consolidation Programme.
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QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE Minutes: There were no questions. |
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT AND WHICH THE COMMITTEE AGREE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILST THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED. Minutes: There was one urgent item, concerning the transfer of responsibilities relating to various projects to the Capital Buildings Committee.
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Market Forces Supplements Report of the City Surveyor. Minutes: The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor relating to Market Forces Supplements. |