Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://youtu.be/BMknAuKOZpk

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Deputy Alistair Moss, Deputy Joyce Nash, and the Rt Hon Alderman William Russell, the Lord Mayor.

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

2.

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

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

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

3.

Minutes

To consider minutes as follows:-

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

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 were approved.

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

3a

To agree the public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 pdf icon PDF 278 KB

Minutes:

3b

To note the public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 were noted.

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

3c

To note the public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 January 2021 pdf icon PDF 136 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 January 2021 were noted.

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

3d

To note the public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 were noted.

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

3e

To note the public summary of the Tackling Racism Taskforce meeting held 11 December 2020. pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Minutes:

The public summary of the Tackling Racism Taskforce meeting held 11 December 2020 were noted.

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

4.

COVID 19 Debrief pdf icon PDF 362 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects concerning the City Corporation’s response to the global pandemic and the outcomes of an officer operational debrief.

 

During discussion of the report, the following points arose:

·         The reality was that the organisation had to react very quickly to the crisis, and the view of looking (through the governance review) whether an emergency or contingencies committee should be set up in times of future crises, was supported. There was a suggestion that the Resource Allocation Sub Committee could be used for this purpose.

·         There was a comment on improving communications with Members, businesses and residents. It was suggested that Members could also help to relay communications to their electorate.

·         Another Member felt that the reactive process was successful, and Members were consulted as much as possible.

·         The City Corporation should urge Parliament to continue the legislation allowing virtual and hybrid meeting.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.         Noted the range of activity undertaken in mitigation against the COVID-19 crisis.

2.         Agreed that an alternative means of Member-level decision making is / is not required should a future crisis occur.

3.         Agreed that civil resilience training should / should not be included as part of the Member development programme training offered to Members each year.

 

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

5.

Governance Review: Competitiveness pdf icon PDF 299 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning those aspects of the Governance Review relating to Competitiveness. The report presented the recommendations of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee (RASC), following an informal engagement process intended to gather the views of all Members.

 

The Committee proceeded to debate the various recommendations in turn:

 

(i)         Do Members agree with the need to establish a dedicated group, body, or committee in relation to competitiveness?

This proposal was strongly endorsed.

 

(ii)        If so, do Members agree with the recommendation to establish a free-standing Competitiveness Committee, or would an alternative vehicle / format be preferable?

Members were in favour of this approach.

 

(iii)       What should the composition of such a body be, noting the requirements to draw on both external and internal expertise more effectively?

The Committee supported the Resource Allocation Sub Committee’s views on the composition of this body. The Policy Chair clarified there would be a core group and then bringing in other Members ad hoc for particular issues.

 

(iv)       How should the membership of such a body be determined and appointed?

One Member felt that this should be an elected body rather than an appointed body. The Deputy Chairman relayed the views of the consultative exercise for the composition to be a skills-based approach. He also outlined that this would be an advisory body and that Policy & Resources Committee (made up of elected Members) would continue to hold decision-making powers. This point was underlined and supported by other Members. One Member suggested that Policy & Resources Committee ratify a list of individuals who should be appointed – this would be sufficiently democratic but allows for the technocratic element as well.

 

(v)        What should the Terms of Reference of such a body be?

The Policy Chair relayed the Resource Allocation Sub Committee’s views

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

6.

Findings and recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce pdf icon PDF 622 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report detailing the findings and recommendations of the Tackling Racism Taskforce across six workstreams.

 

The Chair began by thanking the Taskforce and the Co-Chairs’ leadership on this important issue, which has been carried out at pace and in a considered and respectful way. The Chair urged Members to support and endorse the proposals in the paper.

 

The Co-Chairs spoke to introduce the item and thanked the Committee for their support in giving this issue the focus and attention it deserved. They also referenced the recent ministerial statement from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out their position of “retain and explain” in relation to contested heritage, yet argued that there was still a very particular consideration to remove, re-site and explain the statues of Beckford and Cass, and the approach of the Taskforce’s recommendation aligned with the Government’s position. As Beckford was attached to a Grade I listed building (the Great Hall), Members heard how the next step would be to apply for Listed Building Consent, which would require consultation with Historic England, a public consultation and a wider consultation with Members through the committee process. The Co-Chairs concluded it was important that these recommendations of change were not only endorsed by the Committee but “chiselled” into the Corporation’s policies and practices. 

 

During discussion of the report, the following points arose:

·         The Chief Commoner spoke out in opposition of the recommendation of removing the statues of Beckford, citing its homage to free speech and felt that it would be better to explain its context, in its current location. He also felt that the consultative exercise results were not followed in this recommendation. He indicated he would like to put forward an amendment to approve all the recommendations in the report except

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

7.

Tomlinson Review Update pdf icon PDF 180 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which provided an update on the work undertaken by the City Grants Education Spending Working Party in response to the review conducted by Sir Mike Tomlinson.

 

During discussion of the report, the following points arose:

·         Alastair King and Henry Colthurst should be added to the Working Party.

·         The proposal needed to be attached to a 3-month timeframe so the decisions were not delayed further. A Member commented that the Tackling Racism Taskforce were able to start the work and report back with findings within six months and this work should also keep up with this pace.

·         It would be important to keep some of the individuals who had previously worked on this be included as the knowledge bank remained useful to feed into discussions.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.            Noted the progress made to date by the Working Party and relevant Departments;

2.            Agreed that the remaining work on the recommendations should be continued with the oversight of a Working Party; and

3.            Agreed the refreshed Terms of Reference and Membership of said body.

 

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

8.

London Councils Grants Scheme pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the proposed expenditure  and the City Corporation’s subscription to the London Councils Grants Scheme for 2021/22.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.    Approved the total amount of expenditure to be incurred in 2021/22 under the Scheme (£6.668m) and to the City Corporation’s subscription for 2021/22 (£7,233) as set out in Appendices A and B of this report; and

2.    Agreed the levy of £6.668m (as set out in Appendix B), subject to the Court of Common Council’s approval (as levying body for the Scheme. It should be noted that the Court’s approval will be sought using the urgency procedures and is subject to at least two-thirds of the constituent councils agreeing the total expenditure to be incurred before 1 February 2021.

 

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

9.

Departmental 2021/22 Budget Estimates - Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 141 KB

Joint report of the Town Clerk, Remembrancer and Chamberlain.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk, Chamberlain and Remembrancer which presented the budget estimates for 2021-22 for those departments overseen by the Policy and Resources Committee.

 

RESOLVED: That:-

1.         The Town Clerk’s, Remembrancer’s and Culture Mile Departments’ proposed revenue budget for 2021-22 be approved for submission to the Finance Committee.

2.         The Town Clerk’s and Remembrancers Department’s proposed capital and supplementary revenue projects budgets for 2020-21 be approved for submission to the Finance Committee.

3.         The Chamberlain be authorised, in consultation with the Town Clerk and Remembrancer, to revise these budgets to allow for any further implications arising from Corporate Projects, Target Operating Model (TOM) savings, other reviews and changes to the Cyclical Works Programme; and

4.         It be agreed that minor amendments for 2020-21 and 2021-22 budgets arising during budget setting be delegated to the Chamberlain.

5.         The factors taken into consideration in compiling the Business Plan be noted, including efficiency measures.

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

10.

Draft Town Clerk’s Corporate & Members Services Business Plan for 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered and a report of the Town Clerk which presented the proposed Business Plan for 2021-22 for the Town Clerk’s Corporate & Members Services.

 

A Member requested that the performance indicators were more strategically informed and committed to working with the Director of Members Services to improve this.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

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

11.

Draft Communications Team Business Plan for 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Report of the Director of Communications.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Communications which presented the proposed Business Plan for 2021-22 for the Communications Team.

 

A Member felt strongly that the communications around electoral registration should be robust and agree that the Elections Campaign Manager should report to the Director of Communications.

 

There were general comments about the information around prioritisation of the 12% savings across all of the business plans being made clearer to Members.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

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

12.

Draft Innovation & Growth Business Plan for 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth which presented the proposed Business Plan for 2021-22 for the Innovation & Growth Department.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

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

13.

Draft Remembrancer's Office Business Plan for 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 364 KB

Report of City Remembrancer.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the City Remembrancer which presented the proposed Business Plan for 2021-22 for the Remembrancer’s Office.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

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

14.

Culture Mile core revenue budget 2021-23 pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Culture Mile Director.

 

N.B. To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Item 33.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Culture Mile Director which presented the budget estimates for Culture Mile for 2021-23.

 

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.         Approve the allocation of an annual revenue budget for essential core Culture Mile activities from City Fund of £139,203 for the 2021/2 financial year and £284,984 for the 2022/23 financial year

2.         Approve the carry forward of £96,000 from the 2020/21 Culture & Visitor Services Outdoor Arts budget (funded by Central Risk) and £89,000 from the 2020/21 Culture Mile core revenue budget into the core Culture Mile budget for 2021/22

3.         Note that a bid to the CIL Neighbourhood Fund would be made in spring 2021, as a means for Culture Mile to maintain its communities work as part of the City’s recovery programme.

 

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

15.

City of London EU Strategy pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth concerning the market plan for Europe, previously agreed by Policy & Resources, following the commencement of the UK’s transition period.

 

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

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

16.

Update on Implementation of the Partnership Agreement between the City of London and TheCityUK pdf icon PDF 140 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth which provided an update on the implementation of the Partnership Agreement between the City of London and TheCityUK.

 

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

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

17.

Innovation & Growth update on Tech pdf icon PDF 167 KB

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

 

 

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth which provided an update on activity being undertaken by Innovation & Growth in regards to technology companies within and around the Square Mile.

 

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

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

18.

Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain which provided a schedule of projects and activities which have received funding from the Policy Initiatives Fund, the Policy and Resources Committee’s Contingency Fund, Committee’s Project Reserve, COVID19 Contingency Fund and Brexit Contingency Fund for 2020/21 and future years.

 

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

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

19.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

20.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was one urgent item:

 

Recovery Taskforce: Interim Update with Preliminary Blueprint

The Committee received a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth which provided Members with an update on the Recovery Taskforce’s work since November 2020.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be received and thepreliminary blueprint of the Recovery Task Force and plans for engaging with stakeholders be noted.

 

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

21.

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 21.

Minutes:

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

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

22.

Non-Public Minutes

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

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

Minutes:

22a

To agree the non-public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020.

Minutes:

a)         The non-public minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 were approved as a correct record.

 

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

22b

To note the non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020.

Minutes:

 

a)         </AI28>

<AI29>

b)         The non-public minutes of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee meeting held on 10 December 2020 were noted.

 

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

22c

To note the non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020

Minutes:

 

a)         </AI29>

<AI30>

c)         The non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 were noted.

 

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

22d

To note the non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 21 December 2020.

Minutes:

 

a)         </AI30>

<AI31>

d)         The non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 21 December 2020 were noted.

 

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

23.

Overall financial position and medium-term financial plan

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Chamberlain outlining decisions around the overall financial position and the medium-term financial plan.

 

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

24.

Green Horizon Summit evaluation and COP26 preparations

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth providing an evaluation of the City’s role at the Green Horizon Summit together with plans in relation to COP26.

 

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

25.

Support for Innovate Finance

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth proposing financial support for Innovate Finance.

 

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

26.

Bridge House Estates Transitional Investment Strategy Statement

Joint report of the Chamberlain and Chief Grants Officer & Director of City Bridge Trust.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Chief Grants Officer & Director of the City Bridge Trust proposing the adoption of a transitional investment strategy statement for Bridge House Estates.

 

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

27.

Bridge House Estates Strategic Governance Review - Update Five

Report of the Chief Grants Officer & Director of City Bridge Trust.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Grants Officer & Director of the City Bridge Trust presenting an update in respect of the strategic governance review of Bridge House Estates.

 

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

28.

Bridge House Estates: Annual Update & 2021 Strategy

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 28.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting the annual update and strategy in respect of the Bridge House Estates property investment portfolio.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

City Fund Property Investment Portfolio - Annual Update & Strategy Report

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 29.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting the annual update and strategy report in respect of the City Fund investment portfolio.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

30.

Strategic Property Estate (City Fund & City’s Estate) -Annual Update & Strategy for 2021

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 30.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting the annual update and strategy report in respect of the Strategic Property Estate (City Fund and City’s Estate).

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

31.

City's Estate: Annual Update & 2021 Strategy

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 31.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor presenting the annual update and strategy report in respect of City’s Estate.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

Culture and Commerce Taskforce: publication of recommendations

Report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 32.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Assistant Town Clerk & Director of Major Projects concerning the recommendations of the Culture and Commerce Taskforce.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

33.

Non-Public appendix: Culture Mile Budget

Non-public appendix to be read in conjunction with Item 14.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 33.

Minutes:

The Committee noted the non-public appendix to Item 14.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

34.

Non-public DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OR URGENCY POWERS

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 34.

Minutes:

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

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There was one question, concerning the Waterloo & City Line.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

36.

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

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.