Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://youtu.be/4FEH68msL98

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

There were no apologies.

 ...  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.

Order of the Court of Common Council pdf icon PDF 145 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council dated 15 April 2021, appointing the Committee and confirming its Terms of Reference.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received the Order of the Court dated 15 April 2021 appointing the Committee and agreeing its Terms of Reference.

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

4.

Election of Chair

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

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

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29.

 

Deputy Catherine McGuinness, being the only Member expressing willingness to serve, was duly elected for the ensuing year.

 

Thanking colleagues for their support, the Chair took the opportunity to welcome Caroline Haines, Tracey Graham, and Ruby Sayed to their first meeting of the Committee. She also expressed her gratitude, on behalf of the Committee, to departing Members Randall Anderson and Joyce Nash.

 

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

5.

Election of Deputy / Vice Chairs

To elect the Deputy / Vice Chairs in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

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

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect its three Deputy/Vice Chairmen in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

 

Deputy Keith Bottomley, Sheriff Christopher Hayward, and Deputy Tom Sleigh all expressed a willingness to serve and, being the only three Members expressing such a willingness, were duly elected for the ensuing year.

 

The Chair reminded the Committee of the provisions of Standing Order No. 30(8), which provided for herself and the appointed individuals to now determine amongst themselves who would take the statutory Deputy Chairman role for the coming year. However, as it was the last year of her term as Chair, it was the Committee’s practice at such times for endorsement of the proposed arrangements to be sought, given the likely implications with respect to succession.

 

Following a clarification around process, the Committee expressed its unanimous support for the appointment of Sheriff Christopher Hayward as the statutory Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

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

6.

Minutes

To consider minutes as follows:-

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

Minutes:

6a

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2021. pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 8 April 2021 were approved as a correct record.

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

6b

To note the public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 March 2021. pdf icon PDF 165 KB

Minutes:

The public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 March 2021 were noted.

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

7.

Appointment of Sub Committees, Working Parties and Representatives On Other Committees pdf icon PDF 300 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning the appointment of the Committee’s sub-committees, working parties and representatives on other committees.

 

Members noted and agreed the proposal to hold the Outside Bodies Sub-Committee, Ceremonial Working Party, and Members’ Diversity Working Party in abeyance for the coming year and make no appointments, in view of the particular circumstances relating to each. Similarly, it was also agreed that the existing memberships should be retained for the Members’ Financial Assistance Working Party, the Tackling Racism Task Force, and the Innovation & Growth Advisory Board, given the current status of each body’s activity and the benefits of continuity of membership.

 

With reference to the Public Relations and Economic Development Sub-Committee, Members noted the requirement to remove the “Economic Development” aspects of that Sub-Committee’s remit and endorsed the proposal that fuller consideration of its future was warranted. Accordingly, aside from those changes outlined in Appendix D removing the Economic Development aspects, it was agreed the Sub-Committee should be retained as-is for now pending consideration of alternative options at the next meeting.

 

RESOLVED: That the following be approved:-

1.         The appointment, composition and terms of reference of the following sub-committees and working parties be approved for the ensuing year, as set out in the report and accompanying appendices:-

·          Resource Allocation Sub-Committee

·          Projects Sub-Committee

·          Members’ Privileges Sub-Committee

·          Hospitality Working Party

·          Culture Mile Working Party

·          Members’ Financial AssistanceWorking Party

·          Tackling Racism Task Force

·          Innovation & Growth Advisory Board

2.         That the following of the Committee’s sub-committees or working parties be held in abeyance for the coming year:-

·          Outside Bodies Sub-Committee

·          Ceremonial Working Party

·          Members’ Diversity Working Party

3.         That the Public Relations & Economic Development Sub-Committee be held over for the interim as set out in paragraph 14 and Appendix D, with a report on future options requested.

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

8.

Options to Promote Supplier Diversity pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which outlined various options to promote diversity in the City Corporation supply chain and recommended the commissioning of a study to inform next steps.

 

RESOLVED: That Members approve the funding of £30,000 from the 2021/22 Policy Initiative Fund as set out in the report for research on diversity issues and opportunities broken down by categories of spend.

 

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

9.

Policy Initiatives Fund and Committee Contingency pdf icon PDF 198 KB

Report of the Chamberlain.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain which provided an update on those projects and activities which had received funding from the Policy Initiatives Fund (PIF), the Policy and Resources Committee’s Contingency Fund, Committee’s Project Reserve, COVID19 Contingency Fund, and Brexit Contingency Fund.

 

It was clarified that, in respect of the recommendation to transfer £500,000 to the COVID Contingency Fund, the Committee’s approval was being sought specifically in respect of £200,000 from the uncommitted 2020/21 carry forward of PIF underspend. The remaining £300,000 was the subject of a separate request to the Finance Committee for monies from that Committee’s Contingency Funds.

 

RESOLVED: That:-

1.         The report be received and its content noted.

2.         £200,000 from the uncommitted 2020/21 carry forward of PIF underspend be transferred to the COVID Contingency Fund.

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

10.

DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY OR URGENCY POWERS pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Minutes:

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

 

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

 

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

11.

QUESTIONS ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There was one question:

 

Letter from the World Uyghur Congress

A Member made reference to copies of an open letter sent by the UK Director of the World Uyghur Congress to the Lord Mayor and Chair of Policy, which had been circulated to all Members of the Committee. The letter concerned the City Corporation’s engagement with the government of the Peoples’ Republic of China, with particular reference to the recent Parliamentary debate concerning mistreatment of the Uyghur people, with the Member asking if there was any thought as to an initial response.

 

Responding, the Chair advised that she would discuss a response with the Lord Mayor but noted that the City Corporation engaged with business partners across the world and throughout the year to promote the City and financial and professional services. In doing so, it was guided by the UK Government on how and when to engage with the Chinese Government and the City would continue to seek guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on the current status of relations with China. She added that the Foreign Secretary had recently said the UK was looking to form a constructive and calibrated approach to engage with China, including on climate change and being clear on the values that the UK holds, and the City would continue to take the Government’s lead.

 

Through a supplementary question, reference was made to the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) agenda, of which climate change was a major part, and the ongoing work with the Chinese government on climate change as part of that. It was ventured that human rights was also a significant part of the ESG agenda and, given the serious allegations discussed in Parliament regarding the possibility of modern slavery being practiced in workcamps, should the Corporation not seek

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

12.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

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

13.

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 13.

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.

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

14.

Non-Public Minutes

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

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

Minutes:

14a

To note the non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 March 2021.

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Projects Sub-Committee meeting held on 24 March 2021 were noted.

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

14b

To note the non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party meeting held on 25 March 2021 and consider a recommendation therein (highlighted for ease of reference).

Minutes:

The non-public minutes of the Hospitality Working Party (HWP) meeting held on 25 March were noted.

 

In respect of the specific recommendation set out therein for Policy & Resources Committee’s consideration, concerning the longer-term plans relating to the Guildhall Yard and the NHS Test and Trace Centre, Members noted that clarification had been provided in the period since the HWP’s last meeting.

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

15.

Funding of Education by the City of London

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Director of Community & Children’s Services, on behalf of the Tomlinson Review Working Party.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a joint report of the Chamberlain and Director of Community & Children’s Services concerning the City Corporation’s funding of education.

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

16.

Great Arthur House - Service Charge Recovery for Replacement of Curtain Walling

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

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

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.

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

17.

Central Criminal Court - External and Internal Fabric Repairs

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the City Surveyor concerning a project to repair and refurbish the Central Criminal Court.

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

18.

Request for delegated authority: Central London Forward

Report of the Director of Innovation & Growth.

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

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Director of Innovation & Growth which sought delegated authority in relation to a funding bid by Central London Forward.

 ...  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 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 20.