Agenda and minutes

The apologies of those Members unable to attend this meeting of the Court were noted.

There were no additional declarations.

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 14 January 2021.

Resolved – That the minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent overseas visits.

The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor took the opportunity to update the Court on his virtual engagement programme.

To receive a statement from the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee.

There was no statement.

COVID-19 Vaccination – Prospective use of Great Hall

Marianne Fredericks asked a question of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the prospective use of the Great Hall as a mass vaccination site, as part of efforts to assist with the COVID-19 response.

Responding, the Chair confirmed that officers had looked into the possibility but had been advised that NHS England were not engaging with further mass vaccination sites at this stage and, consequently, did not have interest in exploring this option further. The City Corporation was, however, continuing to work with the NHS to explore localised pharmacy options for vaccination within the Square Mile and across North East London, as well as with the City and Hackney’s Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS partners to maintain the high rates of vaccination within the City.

The Chair noted that the Guildhall Yard was currently playing a significant role in the provision of testing and compatible uses of the Guildhall complex would be kept under review.

She also took the opportunity to invite Members to a briefing on Wednesday 31 March with Public Health colleagues and the Clinical Commissioning Group, adding that further details would be circulated by e-mail.

In response to a supplementary question from Marianne Fredericks concerning the prospective use of sites such as the Barbican Exhibition Halls, the Chair suggested that she might wish to discuss the matter further with relevant officers or at the Health and Wellbeing Board to see if there was any potential scope for this, but reiterated the general position of NHS England in respect of large venues for mass vaccination. She also added that, in respect of the Great Hall in particular, there would likely be a need to use this for City Corporation meetings in the near future so offering it

To consider reports of the Finance Committee as follows:-

FINANCE COMMITTEE

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

To approve the budget for 2021/22.

16 February 2021

(A) City Fund 2021/22 Budget Report and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

The Court considered a report presenting the overall financial position of the City Fund (i.e. the City Corporation’s finances relating to Local Government, Police and Port Health services).

The Chairman spoke to introduce the budget, together with the City Cash and Bridge House Estate budgets at items 7(B) and 7(C), as well as clarifying a number of elements.

Concern was raised by a Member in respect of the proposal to not increase the core council tax level. In particular, the requirement to draw significantly from capital reserves to achieve a balanced budget over the length of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) was highlighted, together with the significant risks and exposures in relation to bad debts, for which it was argued that insufficient provision was being made. It was argued that an increase was required now to ensure that the cumulative impact of the rises, as achieved through the compound nature of annual increases, was sufficient to meet the requirements of the MTFP across the period. The wisdom of not raising levels now and the commensurate political message this sent ahead of the Government’s Fair Funding Review was also questioned, as it gave an incorrect impression as to the challenges faced by City Fund.

Responding, the Chairman agreed with the importance of fiscal discipline and emphasised the difficult budgetary challenges ahead; however, he advised that the Finance Committee had taken the view that now was not the correct time to increase such taxes in view of the challenges facing residents and businesses at this difficult time.

Resolved – That the report be agreed to and the Court do pass a Resolution in the following terms:-

1.     That for the 2021/22 financial year the Court of Common Council

To approve the budget for 2021/22.

(B) 2021/22 City’s Cash Budgets and Medium-Term Financial Plan

The Court considered a report of the Finance Committee presenting the overall financial position of City’s Cash.

Amendment – That the following additional recommendation be added, as follows:-

“7. Agree the creation of a City of London Covid Business Recovery Fund to alleviate some of the worst effects of the pandemic upon the Square Mile’s support infrastructure and to enable the City to emerge with a functional and thriving economy, by drawing-down up to £50 million from City’s Cash balances and short-term financial investments, or alternatively financed through borrowing. Grants from the Fund will be made available to small and independent retailers and hospitality businesses together with those providing clinical and professional services (e.g. dentists and opticians) necessary for the successful return of all those who work in businesses in the City. Businesses applying for support from the Fund, the process of which must be easily accessible, must demonstrate that they are capable of surviving on a viable and going concern basis and that owners have taken necessary steps including, where possible, financial contributions to their business. Grants from the Fund would normally be dependent on the businesses also receiving substantial financial support (not just rent deferrals) from their landlords. Officers are instructed to bring forward a report to the next meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, who will be responsible for the fund and its deployment, recommending arrangements and detailed criteria to implement the deployment of the Fund, including the appointment of professional firm(s) with relevant expertise necessary for providing advice and support to enable the Fund to commence making grants as soon as is reasonably practicable.”

Sir Michael Snyder, as the Mover of the Amendment, spoke to introduce the proposal and outlined the rationale and urgency associated with it,

To approve the budget for 2021/22.

(C) Bridge House Estates – Revenue Budget 2021/22 and Medium-Term Financial Plan

The Court considered a report of the Finance Committee presenting the overall financial position of Bridge House Estates.

Resolved – That, Members of the Court of Common Council, acting for the City Corporation as the charity trustee of Bridge House Estates and solely in the charity’s best interests:

1. Note the latest revenue forecast for 2020/21 (paragraphs 6 to 7 of the report).
2. Approve the 2021/22 revenue budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan for period 2022/23 – 2024/25 (paragraphs 8 to 10).
3. Approve that the additional allocation of income reserves available for charitable funding be held at £180m, a reduction of £20m from the sum allocated in March 2020, until a further forecast is presented for review (paragraph 12).
4. Approve that free reserves are maintained at between £33-55m over and above the agreed policy of £35m across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan as a mitigation against the uncertain period in which the charity is operating (paragraph 11).
5. Approve the 2021/22 capital and supplementary revenue project budgets (paragraph 16).
6. Note that a revised Medium-Term Financial Plan for the charity will be presented for approval, should the power for total return accounting for endowed charities be granted by Supplemental Royal Charter currently under consideration by the Privy Council’s Office – timing to be confirmed (paragraph 15).

Further resolved - That the thanks of the Court be given to the Chairman of the Finance Committee for his introduction to the budget reports before the Court this day and that a copy be circulated to every Member in the usual way.

To consider the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22.

ESTABLISHMENT COMMITTEE

(Deputy Edward Lord,O.B.E., J.P.)

Draft Pay Policy Statement

The Localism Act 2011 requires the City of London Corporation to prepare and publish a Pay Policy Statement setting out its approach to pay for the most senior and junior members of staff. This must be agreed each year by the full Court of Common Council.

The statement, having been updated for 2021/22 and approved by both the Establishment Committee and Policy and Resources Committee, was therefore presented to the Court of Common Council with the recommendation that it be approved.

Resolved – That the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22, as set out in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

To consider reports of the Policy & Resources Committee, as follows:-

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

To consider actions for implementation for governance arrangements concerning competitiveness.

18 February 2021

(A) Governance Review: Competitiveness

The Court was recommended to approve a series of proposals relating to Competitiveness, following a consultation process on the associated recommendations emerging from the Lisvane Review.

Resolved – That:-

1.      The proposals in relation to Competitiveness made by Lord Lisvane in Section 6 of his Review (Appendix 1) be noted and the recommendations of the Policy and Resources Committee thereon, as set out in paragraph 15 of the report, be approved.

2.      The Town Clerk be authorised to take such actions as are required to give effect to the decisions taken by the Court and facilitate their implementation.

To consider the proposed terms of reference for a Bridge House Estates Board.

18 February 2021

(B) Proposed Terms of Reference for a Bridge House Estates Board

In December 2020, the Policy & Resources Committee considered a report, for the City Corporation as Trustee for Bridge House Estates (charity no. 1035628) (“BHE”), relating to the creation of a dedicated committee of the Court of Common Council from April 2021 to be responsible for the administration of BHE under the oversight of the Court.

The recommendations relating to the establishment of a BHE committee of the Court reflected the views of professional officers and legal advisors arising from the BHE Strategic Governance Review (“the BHE Review”). A single committee was recommended to support regulatory best practice and ensure that, by the implementation of a governance and operational framework providing for cohesive oversight of this large and complex charity in this way, the City Corporation as Trustee will better discharge its duties to administer the charity effectively, solely in the charity’s best interests and in furtherance of BHE’s charitable objects, thus helping to deliver maximum impact for beneficiaries.

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed in principle the recommendation to create a BHE committee in December 2020 but requested that the proposed arrangements be brought back for consideration in more detail in advance of any recommendations being presented to the Court. At the Committee’s meeting in February, proposed Terms of Reference for the new BHE committee, to be called the “Bridge House Estates Board”, were presented for approval, together with further details of the necessary changes to the City Corporation’s corporate governance framework that would need to be made to support the effective implementation of the new BHE Board from April 2021. Members will be further engaged in implementing the corporate governance arrangements to be adopted in the administration of the charity, including for collaboration across all

To consider the governance of the next generation Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service (FCCRAS).

Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Service - Governance

The next generation Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service (FCCRAS) was to be a replacement for Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting service, which was a key component of the City of London Police’s (COLP) function as National Lead Force for Economic Crime. Whilst the COLP had been nominated to lead the procurement of the new service, it remained majority-funded by the Home Office, so was subject to their governance requirements. Due to the estimated cost of the project exceeding £100m, it was also subject to HM Treasury governance and as well as being subject to the government’s Infrastructure and Project Authority’s (IPA) gateway process. The project was also currently required to report to a number of City of London Corporation Committees and Sub-Committees.

‘Governance overload’ was cited as a critical risk to the project by the IPA in its recent Gateway 2 report. This was a view shared at the Home Office Finance and Investment Committee, which was due to consider the project on 18^th March 2021 for approval to the next stage. Given their stated concerns and in order to streamline the governance and provide assurance that this risk was being recognised and mitigated, it was recommended that a dedicated Committee be established to take on the oversight and decision-making roles of the Committees and Sub-Committees that the project would otherwise report to. The new committee would be called the Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis Service Procurement Committee. The Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those Committees and Sub-Committees that the project would otherwise report to would comprise the membership of this new Committee, which would be time-limited for the duration of the procurement (no more than three years). This would address the serious concerns of

To receive a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the London Councils Grants Scheme 2021/22 Levy.

(D) Report of Action Taken: London Councils Grant Scheme

The Court received a report advising of action taken under urgency procedures regarding the issue of annual levies for subscriptions to the constituent councils of the London Councils Grant Scheme. Following consideration by constituent councils, the approval of the Court was required under urgency procedures to issue the levies before the statutory deadline of 15 February 2021.

Resolved – That the action taken under urgency procedures be noted.

To agree to waive Standing Order No. 29(2) to extend the current Chairman’s term by one year.

CAPITAL BUILDINGS COMMITTEE

(Sir Michael Snyder)

Extension of Current Chairman’s Term

In accordance with Standing Order 29(2) the Chairman of Capital Buildings Committee was subject to annual re-election and was limited to serving a maximum term of three years. The current Chairman was now in his third and final year and was not currently eligible to seek election for a fourth year in this position.

However, the Capital Buildings Committee was currently at a critical stage in overseeing the range of projects it is responsible for delivering. Following a recommendation of the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Committee had unanimously agreed that maintaining continuity of leadership would be crucial in guiding the work of the Committee during the next year. It was, therefore, recommended that Standing Order 29(2) be waived in respect of this Committee for the coming year, to allow for a fourth year of service.

Resolved - That Standing Order No. 29(2) be waived in respect of the Chairmanship of the Capital Buildings Committee for a period of one year, to allow the current Chairman to be eligible to seek a fourth year as Chairman.

To agree the recommendation of Gail Le Coz as an External Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, for an initial three-year term commencing 1 April 2021.

Audit and Risk Management Committee

(Alexander Robertson Martin Barr)

External Member Recommendation

In September 2011, the Court of Common Council agreed that the Audit and Risk Management Committee should have the ability to recruit up to three External Members to provide additional expertise and challenge.

The final term of one of the current External Members was due to expire on 31 March 2021 and, in advance of this, a recruitment process had been undertaken to identify a suitable successor and the appointment of the successful candidate was now recommended.

Resolved – That Gail Le Coz be appointed as an External Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, for an initial three-year term commencing 1 April 2021.

To consider the annual On-Street Parking Accounts for 2019/20 and approve its submission to the Mayor of London.

PLANNING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

(Deputy Alastair Moss)

Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2019/20 and Related Funding of Highway Improvements and Schemes

The Court received a report advising of action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in its On-Street Parking Account for 2019/20. This information was required to be reported to the Mayor of London.

 The report informed Members that:

• the surplus arising from on-street parking activities in 2019/20 was £10.876m;

• a total of £5.005m was applied in 2019/20 to fund approved projects; and

• the surplus remaining on the On-Street Parking Reserve at 31st March 2020

  was £42.713m, which will be wholly allocated towards the funding of various

  highway improvements and other projects over the medium term.

Resolved – That the report be noted and its submission to the Mayor of London be approved.

To consider the increase to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), for 2021/22.

PORT HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Keith David Forbes Bottomley)

Animal Reception Centre – Heathrow Airport: Annual Review of Charges

It is necessary to submit periodic recommendations to the Court for an increase to be applied to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), for the forthcoming financial year.

The Byelaws, incorporating a new schedule of charges for the services provided, were set out in Appendix 1 to the report and the Committee recommended approval thereof; the Comptroller and City Solicitor being instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

Resolved – That the Byelaws, as set out in Appendix 1, be approved and the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

To consider a circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City.

The Chamberlain, in pursuance of the Order of this Court, presented a list of the under-mentioned, persons who had made applications to be admitted to the Freedom of the City by Redemption:-

To consider the following appointments:

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment.

(A)One Member on the Licensing Committee, for a three-year term expiring in April 2022.

Nominations received:-

Jason Pritchard

(B) One Member on the City & Metropolitan Welfare Charity, for a four-year term expiring in March 2025.

Nominations received:-

*Mark Wheatley

(C)Three Members on the Guild Council of St Lawrence Jewry, for a one-                       year term expiring in March 2022.

Nominations received:-

*Deputy Roger Chadwick

*Simon Duckworth

*Alderman Gregory Jones

(D)One Member on the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, for a three-year term expiring in March 2024.

Nominations received:-

*Randall Anderson

(E) Five Members on the Statues Working Group.

Nominations received:-

Munsur Ali

Doug Barrow

Mary Durcan

Anne Fairweather

Ann Holmes

Natasha Lloyd-Owen

Andy Mayer

John Scott

Jeremy Simons

James Tumbridge

Mark Wheatley

(A)To appoint three Members on The Honourable The Irish Society, for three-year terms expiring in March 2024.

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment.

Nominations received:-

*Sheriff Christopher Hayward (can serve until March 2024)

Deputy Edward Lord (can serve until March 2024)

*Deputy Richard Regan (can only serve a further 12 months until March 2022)

*Ian Seaton (can only serve a further 12 months until March 2022)

(B)To note that Alderman William Russell will serve as Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society for a three-year term, expiring in March 2024.

(C)To note that Alderman Nicholas Lyons will continue to serve as one of the appointed Aldermen on The Honourable The Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a term expiring in March 2022.

(D)To note that Alderman Gregory Jones Q.C. will continue to serve as one of the appointed Aldermen on The Honourable The Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a term expiring in March 2023.

(A)     The Court proceeded to appoint three Members on The Honourable The Irish Society.

*denotes a Member standing for re-appointment.

Nominations received:-

*Sheriff Christopher Hayward

Deputy Edward Lord

*Deputy Richard Regan

*Ian Seaton

Read.

Resolved – That, in accordance with the outcomes of the indicative ballot process, the appointment to the Hon. The Irish Society of Sheriff Christopher Hayward, Deputy Edward Lord, and Ian Seaton be confirmed.

(B)     The Court noted that Alderman William Russell would serve as Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society for a three-year term, expiring in March 2024.

(C)     The Court noted that Alderman Nicholas Lyons would continue to serve as one of the appointed Aldermen on The Honourable The Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a term expiring in March 2022.

(D)     The Court noted that Alderman Gregory Jones Q.C. would continue to serve as one of the appointed Aldermen on The Honourable The Irish Society, having previously been appointed for a term expiring in March 2023.

To receive a report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation.

The Court received a report on measures introduced by Parliament which might have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation as follows:-

Statutory Instruments

The Whole of Government Accounts (Designation of Bodies)

Order 2021 No. 6

This Order designates the Common Council of the City of London and

the Board of Governors of the Museum of London as bodies which are

required to prepare and present to the Treasury such financial

information in relation to the financial year ending on 31st March 2020

as the Treasury may request to enable them to prepare ‘Whole of

Government Accounts’, as provided by section 10 of the Government

Resources and Accounts Act 2000.

Date in force

31st January 2021

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 3) and (All

Tiers) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 No. 8

These Regulations, which introduced the current ‘lockdown’, amend

earlier Coronavirus Regulations to strengthen the Tier 4 restrictions

and apply those restrictions to every area in England, and clarify the

powers of police community support officers (PCSOs). The application

of the Regulations relating to PCSOs was extended from 17 January

to 17 July 2021; the application of the Regulations detailing the Tierspecific

restrictions was extended from 2 February to 31 March 2021.

6th January 2021

The Public Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction)

(England) Regulations 2021 No.15

These Regulations prevent, except in specified circumstances,

attendance at a residence for the purpose of executing a writ or

warrant of possession or delivering a notice of eviction. The specified

circumstances are where the court is satisfied that the claim is against

trespassers who are persons unknown or where it was made wholly

or partly on the grounds of anti-social behaviour, nuisance, domestic

abuse in social tenancies, false statements, substantial rent arrears

exceeding 6

There were no motions.

There were no resolutions.

There were no docquets.

There were no awards or prizes.

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph X of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Resolved – that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business below on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Summary of exempt items considered whilst the public were excluded:-

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 14 January 2021.

Resolved – That the non-public minutes of the last Court are correctly recorded.

To consider reports of the Finance Committee, as follows:-

Finance Committee

The Court:-

To consider the extension of an existing contract of a managed service temporary agency.

(A)      approved the extension of an existing contract of a managed service temporary agency;

To consider an extension to an existing contract for supply of heat and chill.

(B)  approved an extension to an existing contract for supply of heat and chill; and

To consider the increase in contract value for the provision of mechanical and electrical maintenance, and building repairs and maintenance services.

(C) approved an increase in contract value for the provision of mechanical and electrical maintenance services and building repairs and maintenance services.

To receive a report of Urgent Action Taken: Bridge House Estates (charity no. 1035628) 206-224a Tower Bridge Road, SE1 – Freehold Disposal.

Property Investment Board

The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the disposal of a freehold.