Agenda and minutes

Venue: https://youtu.be/IwOfKjQCXaA

Contact: Gregory Moore 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

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

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

2.

Declarations by Members under the Code of Conduct in respect of any items on the agenda

Minutes:

There were no additional declarations.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 535 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting of the Court of Common Council held on 4 March 2021.

 

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

Minutes:

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

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

4.

Mayoral Visits

The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor to report on his recent engagements.

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

Minutes:

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

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

5.

Policy Statement

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

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

Minutes:

The Chair of Policy and Resources Committee outlined a number of key items for the coming period, including the ongoing implications of the COVID response and recovery.

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

6.

Appointment of Committees (White Paper) pdf icon PDF 889 KB

To appoint the Committees until the first meeting of the Court in April 2022 and to agree the terms of reference and constitution for each Committee.

 

(A list of the proposed appointments, terms of reference including proposed amendments, and constitutions has been separately circulated).

 

(Unless otherwise stated the requirement for certain Committees to have a Member with fewer than five or ten years’ service on the Court, at the time of their appointment, is fulfilled by the existing membership).

 

(Supporting statements in respect of the contested vacancies outlined below are set out immediately following the White Paper, at pages 79 to 88).

 

(Where vacancies are contested, ballot papers have been circulated electronically for completion by 12noon on Wednesday 14 April. The results of these indicative ballots will be made known to the Court and recommendations for appointment put for approval at the meeting accordingly).

 

Nominations received for vacancies of varying terms:-

 

Where appropriate:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment;

# denotes a Member with fewer than five years’ service on the Court;

† denotes a Member whose primary residence is in the City;

^ denotes a Member who currently serves on the Committee in either an ex-officio capacity or as a representative of another Committee with appointment rights.

 

To consider the following appointments:

 

(A)          Policy and Resources Committee (five vacancies).

(Contest)

Nominations received:-

^Randall Keith Anderson

*Deputy Keith David Forbes Bottomley

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Sheriff Christopher Michael Hayward

Caroline Wilma Haines

*Sir Michael Snyder

James Richard Tumbridge

*Deputy Philip Woodhouse

 

(B)         Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee (one vacancy).

(No contest)

Nominations received:-

*Wendy Mead, O.B.E.

 

(C)         Members’ Privileges Sub (Policy and Resources) Committee (four vacancies).

(No contest)

Nominations received:-

*Simon D’Olier Duckworth, O.B.E., D.L.

*Deputy Edward Lord, O.B.E., J.P.

*Deputy Richard David

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Court proceeded to make the annual appointment of Committees. An addendum to the report, highlighting those amendments required to the White Paper caused by changes since its publication with the agenda, had also been circulated. This addendum also set out the results of the indicative ballots undertaken in advance of the Court meeting, in respect of contested vacancies.

 

Resolved – That the several Committees as set out in the White Paper and be appointed until the first meeting of the Court in April 2022, and that the terms of reference and constitutions be also approved.

 

The Court subsequently proceeded to make the following appointments, in respect of which the Town Clerk reported that the following nominations had been received:-

 

Nominations received for vacancies of varying terms:-

Where appropriate:-

* denotes a Member standing for re-appointment;

# denotes a Member with fewer than five years’ service on the Court;

† denotes a Member whose primary residence is in the City;

^ denotes a Member who currently serves on the Committee in either an ex-officio capacity or as a representative of another Committee with appointment rights.

 

a)    Policy and Resources Committee (five vacancies).

(Contest)

Nominations received:-

^Randall Keith Anderson

*Deputy Keith Bottomley

Simon Duckworth

Caroline Haines

*Sheriff Christopher Hayward

*Sir Michael Snyder

James Tumbridge

*Deputy Philip Woodhouse

 

Read.

 

The Court was advised that Simon Duckworth had withdrawn his name from nomination to obviate the need for a re-ballot, following an equality of votes between himself and Caroline Haines for one of the vacancies.

 

Resolved – That, in accordance with the outcomes of the indicative ballot process, the appointment to the Policy and Resources Committee of Sheriff Christopher Hayward, Sir Michael Snyder, Deputy Keith Bottomley, Deputy Philip Woodhouse and Caroline Haines for four-year terms be confirmed.

 

b)    Hospitality Working Party of the

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

7.

Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 351 KB

To consider proposals in relation to the holding of meetings over the coming period.

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

8 April 2021

Audio-visual Participation in Formal Meetings

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 together with restrictions on gatherings and travel in Spring 2020, the Government had introduced temporary emergency measures (the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020) enabling local authorities to undertake formal decision-making meetings virtually until 6thMay 2021.  Virtual meetings had introduced more flexibility, helped to facilitate greater public scrutiny and aided Members and officers in conducting business more efficiently; however, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had confirmed that these measures would not be extended beyond 6th May 2021 and that local authority meetings would not therefore be able to continue virtually or in a hybrid format.

 

Part 5A of the Local Government Act 1972 covered public access to meetings, agendas and reports, the inspection of minutes and background papers, etc. and applied to the Common Council in its capacity as a local authority and police authority. Without the modifications introduced by the 2020 Regulations the legislation prohibited formal meetings taking place virtually. This meant that in order to participate in discussions and vote on decisions or recommendations, Members must be present physically at the meeting at which the matter is considered.  The legislative framework did not apply to informal meetings such as call-overs and working parties.  The Court of Common Council had in the past voluntarily chosen to apply Part 5A to all its formal meetings including those with non-local authority and non-police authority functions. The need for public access to meetings in accordance with Part 5A was referred to in Standing Orders No. 4 and 32 but the Standing Orders also give the Court and its Committees scope to disapply

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

8.

Establishment Committee

To consider reports of the Establishment Committee as follows:-

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

Minutes:

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

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

8a

Election of Chamberlain and appointment of other Senior Officers pdf icon PDF 265 KB

(A)      Election of Chamberlain and appointment of other Senior Officers – To elect a Chamberlain and note the appointment of various other Senior Officers.

 

NB – During consideration of this item, the Court will be invited to exclude the public for a period to facilitate the candidate for Chamberlain appearing before it. Upon the candidate’s withdrawal from the Court, a ballot by Members will be held for the appointment. On completion of that, the public will be re-admitted and the decision of the Court made known.

For Decision

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

Minutes:

26 March 2021

(A) Election of Chamberlain and appointment of other Senior Officers

Following Dr Peter Kane’s decision to demit from the office of Chamberlain with effect from 30th April 2021, the Establishment Committee commenced the process of recruiting a successor, alongside the Finance and Investment Committees.  At the same time, the Corporation also launched a recruitment campaign for eight other senior officer roles which had been created as part of the Target Operating Model endorsed by the Court of Common Council in December 2020.

 

Following an exhaustive search process, including significant public advertising, the recruitment panels appointed by the Establishment Committee had concluded their activities and a number of appointments were made together with the recommendation for a candidate for election as Chamberlain.

 

In respect of the election of Chamberlain, it was advised that the candidate would appear before the Court of Common Council (in private session) and give a presentation. Upon the candidate’s withdrawal from the Court, a ballot by Members would be held for the appointment and, on completion of that, the public would be re-admitted and the decision of the Court made known.

 

Resolved – that the public be excluded from the meeting for the interview of the candidate for Chamberlain on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

Summary of the exempt item considered whilst the public were excluded

The candidate for the Chamberlain, having been called in, addressed the Court on a given subject and then withdrew.

 

The Court proceeded to ballot on the appointment.

 

The ballot for the Chamberlain having been taken up and cast, the Lord Mayor declared Caroline Al-Beyerty to have been elected.

 

Whereupon the Court resolved that strangers be re-admitted.

 

The

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

8b

Recruitment Panels for Tier 1 and 2 positions pdf icon PDF 99 KB

(B) Recruitment Panels for Tier 1 and 2 positions – To consider proposals relating to the arrangements for recruiting Senior Officers.

For Decision

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

27 January 2021

(B) Recruitment Panels for Tier 1 and 2 positions

The new Target Operating Model would bring about departmental changes which would affect which Committees (and, therefore, which Members) would be involved in the recruitment process for Senior Officers.  As some committee responsibilities were likely to change following consideration of Lord Lisvane’s recommendations in the Governance review and any changes in Tier 2 and further layers of the Target Operating Model, an interim position had been proposed for the recruitment of Tier 1 or Tier 2 roles.

 

Resolved – That the interim position for the recruitment of Tier 1 or Tier 2 roles be approved as set out in the report, and that the necessary amendments to relevant Committee Terms of Reference be authorised.

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

9.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To consider applications for hospitality.

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

Minutes:

 

(Deputy Brian Desmond Francis Mooney)

23 February 2021

Applications for Hospitality

 

(a) Industry and Parliament Trust Programme 2021

It was proposed that the City Corporation continue to collaborate with the Industry and Parliament Trust on a series of meetings in 2021 related to areas of interest to the City Corporation. Guests and speakers would include a City representative such as the Lord Mayor or Policy Chair, parliamentarians, policy makers, and prominent business, academic and industry representatives.

 

These events would support the following Corporate Plan outcomes: to influence UK and global policy and regulations, and international agreements to protect and grow the UK economy; and to preserve and promote the City as the world-leading global centre for financial and professional services, commerce and culture.

 

It was, therefore, recommended that hospitality be granted and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within approved parameters.

 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a series of meetings delivered in collaboration with the Industry and Parliament Trust  in 2021, with arrangements made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

 

(b) Pride Flag Raising Ceremony 2021

The 2021 Pride in London Parade was planned to take place on Saturday 4th September, subject to COVID restrictions in place at that time, and it was proposed that the Pride Flag be raised at Guildhall on Friday 3rd September 2021.

 

If a reception was possible, it was proposed that the City Corporation host a reception in Guildhall as in previous years. Should COVID restrictions preclude a reception taking place in the normal format, alternative formats would be considered including an outdoor reception and/or a virtual hybrid event.  Guests

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

10.

The Freedom of the City pdf icon PDF 93 KB

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

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

Minutes:

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:-

 

Edward Michael Balls

a Broadcaster, Writer & Economist

Stoke Newington, London

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Deputy Catherine Sidony McGuinness

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

 

Celal Baykal

an Airline General Manager

Kensington, London

Ald. Emma Edhem

Citizen and Woolman

 

Ulrika Schachner-Dadley

Citizen and Woolman

 

 

Carys Ellen Bedford

a Theatrical Set and Costume Designer

Flitwick, Bedfordshire

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt..

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Matthew Leigh Preston Bell, CC

Citizen and Common Councillor

 

 

Anna Rose Beek

a Social Worker

Walthamstow, London

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt..

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Ald.  Vincent Keaveny

Citizen and Solicitor

 

 

Joanne Elisabeth Bradman

a Theatre Stage Manager

Barbican

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt.

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Ald. Vincent Keaveny

Citizen and Solicitor

 

 

His Excellency George Henry Brandis

The High Commissioner of Australia

Kensington, London

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Deputy Catherine Sidony McGuinness

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

 

Ivor Keith Caplin

a Public Affairs Company Director

Hove, Sussex

David O'Reilly

Citizen and Educator

 

Richard Evans 

Citizen and Educator

 

 

Ruby Elizabeth Carr

a Cleaner

Upper Holloway, London

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Tijs Broeke, CC

 

Citizen and Goldsmith

 

Amelia Louise Ehren

a Strategic Project Lead

Shepherds Bush, London

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt..

Citizen and Fletcher

 

Ald.  Vincent Keaveny

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

Professor Sarah Catherine Gilbert

a University Professor

Oxford, Oxfordshire

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Ald. Sir David Wootton, Kt.

 

Citizen and Fletcher

 

John Robert Heaps

a Building Society Chairman

Harrogate, Yorkshire

The Rt. Hon The Lord Mayor

 

 

Deputy Catherine Sidony McGuinness

 

Citizen and Solicitor

 

James Kenneth Albert Hunt

The Mayor of Bexley

Sidcup, Kent

Barry John Frederick Theobald-Hicks

Citizen and Scrivener

 

John James Tunesi

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

11.

Resolutions on Retirements, Congratulatory Resolutions, Memorials.

Minutes:

Resolved unanimously – that the sincere congratulations of this Court be offered to:

 

Joyce Carruthers Nash, O.B.E.

 

for her unstinting dedication and extraordinary service to the Ward of Aldersgate, the City Corporation, and the City of London over the past thirty-six years.

 

Joyce has been granted a leave of absence and stepped down as Deputy for the Ward of Aldersgate, having served in that role since 1988 – namely, well over 30 years.

 

For many decades, Joyce was a teacher in her native Yorkshire – for most of that time, serving as a head teacher. She was, also, an independent local councillor.

 

During one vacation, she attended an education conference and met Roy Nash, an education correspondent for the BBC. Not long afterwards, Joyce married Roy, left her native Yorkshire, moved into the Barbican and, in 1983, was was elected to this Honourable Court.

 

Joyce quickly established herself as an extremely committed Member of the Court. Indeed, her contribution has been so far-reaching that it is difficult to do justice within the confines of a single Vote of Thanks.

 

As a resident of the City, Joyce has championed and represented residents’ interests, the success of which is best-evidenced by the remarkable consistency of her support at the ballot box by the voters of Aldersgate, as well as through her committed service for so many years on the Barbican Residential Committee.

 

During her time on the Court, Joyce has played an active role in a wide array of committees, reflecting the extremely broad spectrum of business conducted by this City Corporation.

 

Indeed, it might be quicker to list the Committees on which she has not served, or the areas on which she has not made a lasting impact.

 

However, to name but a few, these include a remarkable 34 years on

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

12.

Petitions pdf icon PDF 109 KB

To receive a petition submitted by Mark Bostock pursuant to Standing Order No.20,

relative to the City Corporation’s planning processes.

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

Minutes:

The Court received a petition submitted by Mark Bostock pursuant to Standing Order No.20, relative to the City Corporation’s planning processes.

 

A number of Members took the opportunity to ask questions of the presenter of the petition, in the interest of obtaining clarity. The following points arose through this process:-

·      In response to a query, the Petitioner suggested that, should the City Corporation ignore the petition and residents’ strongly held views, it would see further concerted action from them such as was witnessed through the recent standards issues and proposed City of London School for Girls expansion project. Given its local authority role and responsibilities, the City Corporation would be wise to heed the views of its residents.

·      A Member sought clarity as to whether the petition represented an objection to panels in principle, irrespective of format, or whether the objection was to their currently-mooted potential constitution and seeking to highlight that more attention needed to be paid to ensuring the resident voice was heard. The Petitioner advised that the petition articulated opposition to the introduction of panels in any form so as to avoid any corrosion of democratic accountability, which they suggested was already weak due to the anomaly of the business vote in the City.

·      A Member asked if the Petitioner would accept that the Corporation should be representing the full and diverse range of the City’s communities, including business, schools, and employees, all of which deserved equal representation. The Petitioner replied that this petition dealt with the interests of a significant proportion of the residential community and, as a Member of a residential Ward, they were very much guided by their electorate and felt their views need to be taken very seriously.

·      In response to a request for specificity in respect of the proportion of the petition’s

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

13.

Questions

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

14.

Motions

Minutes:

There were no motions.

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

15.

Policy and Resources Committee

To note reports of the Policy and Resources Committee, as follows:-

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

Minutes:

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

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

15a

Scheme of Delegations Amends pdf icon PDF 82 KB

(A)Amendments to the Scheme of Delegations - to note action taken under urgency procedures concerning minor amendments to the Scheme of Delegations, required as a result of the Target Operating Model.

For Information

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

Minutes:

22 March 2021

(A) Report of Urgent Action Taken: Scheme of Delegations Amendments

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures concerning minor amendments to the Scheme of Delegations, required as a result of the Target Operating Model.  The amendments related to the new roles and changes to areas of responsibility across departments.  There were no changes proposed to the delegations themselves.

 

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

 

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

15b

Scheme of Change regarding Ward Committees pdf icon PDF 125 KB

(B)Ward Committee appointments - to note action taken under urgency procedures concerning an amendment to Standing Orders, facilitating Ward Committee service by Aldermen.

For Information

 

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

Minutes:

9 March 2021</AI18>

(B) Report of Urgent Action Taken:

<AI19>

Amendment to Standing Order No. 23 (Ward Committee representation)

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures concerning an amendment to Standing Orders, facilitating Ward Committee service by Aldermen.

 

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

 

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

15c

Report of Action Taken: Statues Working Group pdf icon PDF 119 KB

(C)Report of Action Taken: Statues Working Group – to note action taken under urgency procedures to allow the Working Group to report directly to the Court of Common Council.

For Information

 

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

Minutes:

17 March 2021</AI19>

(C)

<AI20>

Report of Urgent Action Taken: Statues Working Group

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures to allow the Statues Working Group to report directly to the Court of Common Council, pursuant to Standing Order No. 9.

 

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

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

16.

Finance Committee pdf icon PDF 243 KB

To note action taken under urgency procedures to rectify an inconsistency within the City Fund budget approved on 4 March 2021.

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

Minutes:

(Jeremy Paul Mayhew)

16 March 2021

Report of Urgent Action Taken: City Fund Budget Amendment

The Court was recommended to note action taken under urgency procedures to rectify a minor inconsistency within the City Fund budget approved on 4 March 2021.

 

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

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

17.

Legislation pdf icon PDF 95 KB

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

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

Minutes:

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:-

 

Bills

Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021

 

The Act makes provision for the authorisation of criminal conduct by a covert human intelligence source (CHIS). It inserts new provisions into the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 which enable officers of certain public authorities, including designated officers of the City of London Police, to grant a criminal conduct authorisation to a CHIS. The Act’s substantive provisions will be brought into effect by regulations which have yet to be made.

 

Date in force

1st March 2021

Statutory Instruments

The Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments (Revocation) Regulations 2021 No. 197

 

These Regulations revoke the Restriction of Public Sector Exit Payments Regulations 2020, which imposed a cap of £95,000.00 on relevant exit payments by local authorities. Under these Regulations, where a local authority reduced the amount of an exit payment as a result of the operation of the cap, whether this was paid to a person or a relevant public sector scheme, it must pay an amount (including interest) such that the recipient of the capped payment is treated as if the cap had never applied. These Regulations apply to the City of London Police and the Common Council in its capacity as a local authority, police authority or port health authority.

 

 

19th March 2021

The Business Tenancies (Protection from Forfeiture: Relevant Period) (Coronavirus) (England) Regulations 2021 No. 283

 

The Coronavirus Act provides that a right of re-entry or forfeiture under a relevant business tenancy for non-payment of rent, may not be enforced for a specified period. This period has been extended from its original end date of 30 June 2020 by a series of Regulations.

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

18.

Docquets for the Hospital Seal.

Minutes:

There were no docquets to be sealed.

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

19.

Awards and Prizes

Minutes:

There was no report.

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

20.

By the Chief Commoner

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

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

Minutes:

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:-

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

21.

Non-Public Minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting of the Court held on 4 March 2021.

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

Minutes:

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

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

22.

Establishment Committee

To consider the confidential annex to the report at Item 8 and elect the Chamberlain.

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

Minutes:

Establishment Committee

The Court noted the confidential annex to the report at Item 8(a).

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

23.

Policy and Resources

To consider proposals relating to the Secure City Programme.

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

Minutes:

Policy and Resources Committee

The Court approved recommendations relating to the Secure City Programme.

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

24.

Property Investment Board

To note action taken under urgency procedures concerning the refurbishment of a Bridge House Estates property.

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

Minutes:

Property Investment Board

The Court noted action taken under urgency procedures in relation to the refurbishment project in respect of 30-34 New Bridge Street, EC4V 6BJ, a self-contained office building held by Bridge House Estates.

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