Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Emily Benn, Deputy Henry Colthurst, Deputy Ann Holmes, Deputy Tom Sleigh and Philip Woodhouse.

Deputy Jaspreet Hodgson observed the meeting virtually.

There were no additional declarations.

To consider minutes as follows:-

The public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 12 June 2025 were approved as a correct record.

Matters arising

The Chairman noted the Committee’s appointment to the Audit and Risk Management Committee had been advertised twice without attracting any interest from Members. After confirming that no Members wished to represent the Committee on the Committee, he said that the appointment would be left vacant and suggested that it would be helpful for the Audit and Risk Management Committee to consider this element of its composition as part of its annual Terms of Reference review. At a Member’s suggestion, he undertook whether to consider if the vacancy could be advertised to the wider Court.

The public minutes and non-public summary of the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 May 2025 were noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Deputy Town Clerk concerning Committee composition.

RESOLVED: That Members agree to recommend to the Court of Common Council to alter the Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service Procurement Committee’s Terms of Reference to include the addition of a nominee for each Committee that is represented in the membership.

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

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director for Community and Children’s Services concerning a commissioning role for the City of London Corporation.

A Member noted that there were specific areas in the City where substance misuse was more of a problem and asked what the most effective way to communicate with these areas. In reply, officers said that this could be done through the Director of Public Health and their team and undertook to share further information outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED: That Members approve the City of London Corporation to continue a lead commissioner role of the Pan London Substance Misuse Programme which will include commissioning of an Inpatient Detoxification and Stabilisation (IPD) Framework (via one lead provider) to support a wider cohort of those needing help with substance misuse post 2025/26.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning funding for capital projects.

RESOLVED: That Members

 i.    After reviewing the schemes summarised in Table 1 and, particularly in the context of the current financial climate, confirm their continued essential priority for release of funding at this time and accordingly:

ii.   Agree the release of up to £2.05m for the schemes progressing to the next Gateway in Table 1 from City Fund £1.91m (£0.75m from OSPR and £0.78m from CIL) and £0.14m for City Estate.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Community and Children’s Services concerning the Housing Investment Programme.

Introducing the report, the Chairman repeated his comments made at the Court of Common Council meeting on 26 June 2025 that the Housing Investment Programme was a priority for the City Corporation.

The Chairman acknowledged that, at £205million over a 10-year window, the Housing Investment Programme came at a considerable financial cost. However, he said that it was only this large because the City Corporation had historically underinvested in these estates; he felt it was long-past time to make these commitments for residents. He assured Members that the financial outlay would not be immediate or required in one tranche, but phased along with the programme. The commitment for the first five-years of the programme had been made, and the Chairman and other senior Members had recently met with officers to discuss how to procure the remaining funds.

Looking forward, the Chairman informed the Committee that he had asked the Town Clerk to commission a viability assessment of the City Corporation’s current estates, identifying the scope for intensification and delivery of new units. He would continue to chair regular update meetings with officers, which would also include the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Chair of the Investment Committee, the Deputy Chair of the Police & Resources Committee and the Lead Member for Resident Engagement.

During discussion, Members noted that it was important to also consider the needs of residents who lived in non-City Corporation housing, such as the Mansell Street Estate which was administered by the Guinness Trust. The Chairman agreed with these comments and said he felt there was scope to develop these sites, in partnership with the Guiness Trust and third-party stakeholders.

A Member, also the Chair of the Community

Joint Report of the Chamberlain and the City Solicitor.

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and the City Solicitor concerning the delivery of the Emergency Support Scheme.

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

Report of the Chief Strategy Officer.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Strategy Officer concerning the City Corporation’s residential engagement programme.

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

Report of the Executive Director of Innovation and Growth.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Innovation and Growth providing an update on the impact of work done to support the UK-based Financial and Professional Services between April 2025 and June 2025.

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

Joint Report of the Deputy Town Clerk, the Executive Director of Innovation & Growth, the City Remembrancer, the Chief Strategy Officer, the Executive Director of Environment and the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a joint report of theDeputy Town Clerk, the Executive Director of Innovation & Growth, the City Remembrancer, the Chief Strategy Officer, the Executive Director of Environment and the Chamberlain concerning the revenue outturn for services overseen by the Committee.

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

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the City Corporation’s Project Procedure.

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

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain concerning the City Corporation’s Project Procedure.

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

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

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.

RESOLVED: 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.

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

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 12 June were approved as a correct record.

The draft non-public minutes of the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 May 2025 were noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Innovation and Growth.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth, concerning proposals to establish an Investment Hub.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor concerning the disposal of a leasehold interest.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor concerning Bastion House.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor concerning the progression of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Cyclical Works Programme.

Report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth providing information on the City of London Corporation’s planned approach to the Global Risk Summit 2026.

There were no questions in the non-public session.

There was one item of urgent business in the non-public session.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2025 were approved as a correct record in the non-public section.

The draft confidential minutes of the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub-Committee meeting held on 29 May 2025 were noted in the non-public session.