Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Gregory Moore
tel. no.: 020 7332 1399  Email: gregory.moore@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman Peter Estlin, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Joyce Nash, and Deputy Tom Sleigh.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members Declarations Under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

Deputy Catherine McGuinness declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Item 10 by virtue of her husband being a Board Member of the Cripplegate Foundation. Deputy John Tomlinson made the same declaration as a Board Member of the Foundation.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes

To consider minutes as follows:-

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

3a

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2018. pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

a)        The public minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 13 December 2018 were approved, subject to an amendment to the resolution under item 10 on page 6 to reflect more accurately the conclusion summarised in the preceding paragraph.

 

Matters Arising

Enhancing the Diversity of the Court of Common Council – In response to a question concerning timescales associated with the delivery of various aspects of this work, the Chair advised that an indicative timetable had been included as part of an appendix to the report which she would be happy to re-circulate to any interested Member.

 

Chairman / Chair Nomenclature – The Chair sought and obtained the Committee’s endorsement for herself and others to describe themselves as “Chair”, rather than Chairman. It was confirmed that the default term for committees would be “Chairman”, unless otherwise requested by the incumbent, and that a pragmatic and sensible approach should be taken to accommodating peoples’ wishes.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

3b

To note the public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 December 2018. pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee held on 13 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

3c

To note the public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 December 2018. pdf icon PDF 115 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the meeting of the Projects Sub-Committee held on 12 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3c

3d

To note the public minutes of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 December 2018. pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The public minutes of the meeting of the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee held on 12 December 2018 were noted and the recommendation set out on page 32 was considered. Copies of the guidelines for approving and rejecting applications for filming in the City, which Members were being asked to endorse, had been circulated.

 

RESOLVED: That approval be given to the adoption of strategic guidelines for approving and rejecting applications to support and facilitate filming on public land in the City.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3d

3e

To note the public minutes of the Courts Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2018. pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Minutes:

The draft public minutes of the Courts Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3e

4.

London Councils Grant Scheme pdf icon PDF 79 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the London Councils Grants Scheme, including its expenditure and the City Corporation’s contribution to it.

 

RESOLVED: That:-

1.      approval be given to the total amount of expenditure to be incurred in 2019/20 under the London Councils Grant Scheme (£6.909m) and to the City Corporation’s subscription for 2019/20 (£5,780) as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

2.      subject to the Court of Common Council’s approval (as levying body for the Scheme), the levy of £6.668m (as set out in Appendix B) be agreed.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which proposed the adoption of more rigorous criteria in relation to bids for funding from the Policy Initiatives Fund. The report also provided an update on commitments from the Policy Initiatives and Committee Contingency Funds to date.

 

Whilst the default position should be a two-year limit on funds, it was agreed that there should be exceptions made in certain cases where it would be important or desirable to provide a longer-term commitment.

 

It was agreed that the regular expenditure associated with party conferences, which was customarily funded through an allocation from the Policy Initiatives Fund, should transfer to the appropriate base budgets moving forwards.

 

A Member suggested that the amount of money made available each year through the Policy & Resources and Finance Committee contingency funds should also be re-examined to ascertain whether the levels remained appropriate. It was also observed that, where it was known that PIF funding was expiring and repeat funding was to be sought, such requests should be presented together at an appropriate time within the budgetary process. This would represent improved financial discipline and enable the Committee to make its decisions in the context of the wider financial ask.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.      Note the report and contents of the schedules.

2.      Review the recommendations in paragraph 6 and reprioritise existing multi-year bids as needed or when current funding agreements come to an end.

3.      Approve the suggested changes to the criteria and running of the PIF as follows:

·         PIF bids are to be time limited to a maximum of two years funding (excepting grants for accommodation and other ad hoc grants where longer-term commitment is deemed to be appropriate);

·         Allocate £600k from the PIF to be used exclusively for multiyear bids from 2019/20

·         PIF bid reports are

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Sponsorship of children's book with Guy Fox History Project Limited pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Report of the Director of Communications.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications outlining a request by Guy Fox History Project Limited, an educational charity, to sponsor the production of a book for children.

 

It was noted that intention was for the book to be part of the City Corporation’s efforts to explain in more granular terms what the City, as a centre for financial and professional services, does for ordinary people.

 

RESOLVED: That approval be granted for the sponsorship of the publication and launch of this children’s book with Guy Fox at a cost of £42,000, to be funded from the Committee’s 2019/20 Policy and Initiatives Fund, categorised under ‘Promoting the City and charged to City’s Cash.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Sponsorship of the 2019 London Councils Guide to Development in the City of Opportunity pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Report of the Director of Communications.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications concerning the proposed sponsorship of the 2019 London Councils Guide to Development in the City of Opportunity.

 

RESOLVED: That approval be granted for the sponsorship of the London Councils Guide to Development in the City of Opportunity publication, at a cost of £12,000 to be met from Committee’s 2018/19 Policy and Initiatives Fund, categorised under ‘Promoting the City’ and charged to City’s Cash.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Sponsorship of the Annual Review of the Women in Finance Charter pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Report of the Director of Communications.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications proposing sponsorship of the 2018/19 annual review of the Women in Finance Charter.

 

RESOLVED: That approval be granted for the sponsorship of the annual review of the Women in Finance Charter for 2018-2019, at a cost of £35,000, to be met from the Committee’s 2018/19 Policy Initiatives Fund, charged to City’s Cash.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Sponsorship of the CPS Margaret Thatcher Conference on Britain and America - May/June 2019 pdf icon PDF 74 KB

Report of the Director of Communications.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications proposing support for the CPS Margaret Thatcher Conference on Britain and America.

 

RESOLVED: That approval be granted to the City Corporation supporting the CPS Margaret Thatcher Conference on Britain and America in 2019 at a cost of £20,000, to be funded from the Committee’s 2019/20 Policy Initiatives Fund, categorised under “Events” and charged to City’s Cash.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Summer Enrichment Pilot pdf icon PDF 83 KB

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services proposing a summer enrichment pilot tackling summer learning loss and summer hunger for pupils and young people during August 2019.

 

It was noted that the report had been considered and endorsed by the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee the previous week.

 

It was clarified that funding for the pilot would be sought from the Priorities Investment Pot and would be subject to the usual approvals processes for such funding.

 

RESOLVED: That the proposal outlined in the report for a Summer Enrichment Pilot be approved, with it noted that an approach for £100,000 of funding for the pilot would be sought from the Priorities Investment Pot.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Social Mobility Strategy Update pdf icon PDF 277 KB

Report of the Chief Grants Officer and Director, City Bridge Trust.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Grants Officer & Director of The City Bridge Trust providing a progress update on the City of London Corporation’s work on social mobility.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be received and its content noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There was one question:

 

Common Hall Electorate

A Member made reference to the positive activity undertaken recently to ensure that the electorate for Ward Elections in the City was more representative of its workforce and residents, asking if similar steps could be taken in respect of elections at Common Hall. The Chairman undertook to speak with the Chairmen of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen and the Livery Committee to raise this issue.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(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.

15a - 24

3

27

1, 2, 3

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Non-Public Minutes

To consider non-public minutes of meetings as follows:-

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

15a

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2018.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 13 December 2018 were approved.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15a

15b

To note the non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 December 2018.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15b

15c

To note the non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 December 2018.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15c

15d

To note the non-public minutes of the Courts Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2018.

Minutes:

The draft non-public minutes of the Courts Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15d

16.

OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING

Joint report of the Town Clerk and Chamberlain (TO FOLLOW).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the City Corporation’s overall financial position and medium term financial plan.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Barking Power Station: Future Governance

Report of the Director of Major Projects.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Major Projects concerning the future governance arrangements associated with the Barking Power Station site.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Green Finance Institute Governance

Report of the Director of Economic Development.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Economic Development proposing governance arrangements associated with the Green Finance Institute.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

First Registration of City's Freehold Titles

Report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor relating to the City Corporation’s title registration project.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Strategic Property Estate (City Fund & City's Estate) - Annual Update & Strategy for 2019

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting an annual update on the City’s Strategic Property Estate.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

City's Estate Strategy Report

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting an annual update on and review of the strategy for the City’s Estate, the investment property portfolio held by City’s Cash.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

City's Fund Strategy Update Report

Report of the City Surveyor (TO FOLLOW).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 22.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting an annual update on the City’s Fund property investment strategy.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Bridge House Estates 2019 Update and Strategy

Report of the City Surveyor (TO FOLLOW).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 23.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting an update on the property investment strategy for the Bridge House Estates.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OR URGENCY POWERS

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 24.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk advising of action taken under delegated authority or urgency procedures since the last meeting.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT AND WHICH THE COMMITTEE AGREE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHILST THE PUBLIC ARE EXCLUDED.

Minutes:

There were two urgent items, concerning the membership of an appointment panel for a particular post and an update on Brexit negotiations.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

To note the confidential minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting on 13 December 2018.

Minutes:

The confidential minutes of the meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee held on 13 December 2018 were noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.