Agenda item

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Brian Desmond Francis Mooney, the Chief Commoner)

21 December 2020

Applications for Hospitality

(A) Armed Forces Day 2021

Armed Forces Flag Day formed part of a week of activities across the country to raise public awareness of the contribution made by the Armed Forces. It was established to provide an opportunity to show support to members of the Armed Forces and Service families.

To mark this occasion, it was proposed that the City Corporation host a flag-raising ceremony in Guildhall Yard during the afternoon of Thursday 24th June 2021, followed by light refreshments in the Old Library. The event would provide an opportunity for the City to show its support for the Armed Forces, acknowledge the challenges encountered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and raise awareness of the contribution made by those who are currently serving or have previously served in the Forces.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a flag-raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces Flag Day, followed by light refreshments, and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(B) Commonwealth and High Commissioners Banquet 2021

The City Corporation had hosted an annual banquet for the Commonwealth High Commissioners since 2015. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) for 2020 was scheduled to take place in Rwanda in June, with the High Commissioners’ Banquet was planned for September; however, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, CHOGM and the Banquet had had to be deferred. It was now anticipated that CHOGM would take place in June 2021, subject to any public health restrictions that might be in operation at the time.

It was, therefore, proposed that the City Corporation host the High Commissioners’ Banquet at Guildhall on Monday 13^th September 2021, working with the Royal Commonwealth Society and Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. 

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a banquet for the Commonwealth High Commissioners and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.