Agenda item

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 the Policy & Resources Committee, playing a constant role in shaping the direction of our City; 35 years on the Establishment Committee, closely involved in ensuring the Corporation’s own workforce was cared for and nurtured; 17 years on the City Bridge Trust, using her knowledge and compassion to help those in need across London and make a difference to the lives of so many.

Joyce’s professional background as a former headteacher also proved extremely valuable during her many years as a Governor on the City’s independent Schools and Education Board.

Amongst the Grand Committees and Boards Joyce chaired include the      City of London School for Girls; Port Health; the Barbican Centre; the City Bridge Trust; and City Lands – in which role, she was, of course, Chief Commoner, during which she was called upon to assist the Lord Mayor on official visits to Brunei, Australia, and the Philippines.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth reflecting on Joyce’s most recent Chairmanship – namely, of the Health & Wellbeing Board. Having overseen the launch and implementation of the Social Wellbeing Strategy, the Suicide Prevention Action Plan, and the Business Healthy Strategy (to name but a few initiatives), Joyce’s work has clearly enhanced the City’s commitment to safeguard its residents and workers. This will, no doubt, be one of a number of lasting legacies left by Joyce on our organisation and demonstrates the fundamental difference she has made to the lives of so many, right up to the present day.

Unsurprisingly, for such a powerful character in the Court’s life, Joyce acquired a number of nicknames, all of which communicated genuine regard. One past (sadly departed) Chief Commoner, John Barker, called her “Reuters” – adding that you could save yourself a lot of time if you wanted something to be known – by just telling Joyce; and Auntie Joyce and / or mother of the Court – said with real affection.

As a new and relatively young Common Councillor, one could testify to the regular weekend calls when she would offer wise advice – typically, a judicious mix of caution and encouragement, combined with some new intelligence and/or gossip, often starting with the words: “I was told in confidence”. One colleague recalls how Joyce helped him to begin “to understand the mysteries of the Corporation”. Fellow Aldersgate colleagues could recall similar stories of support and advice.

In short, throughout her career, Joyce has demonstrated remarkable stamina, comradeship, and commitment to this Court; to this Corporation; and to this City.

In receiving this vote, this Honourable Court, therefore extends to Joyce its greatest and sincerest thanks, together with its deep appreciation for her advocacy of and commitment to the City Corporation over the past over thirty-six years.

Resolved unanimously – That the sincere gratitude of this Court be offered to:

Sylvia Doreen Moys, M.B.E.

for her tireless dedication and outstanding service to the Ward of Aldgate, the City Corporation, and the City of London over the past twenty years.

Elected to the Court of Common Council in 2001, Sylvia has been an industrious, diligent and reliable Member of the Court. Sylvia has been associated with the Ward of Aldgate throughout her working life, and her career with Lloyd’s Register meant she understood the Ward’s unique identity as the Maritime Ward of the City. Her background proved immeasurably valuable to the City Corporation over the years and the City benefited greatly from her wealth of knowledge and experience.

Sylvia will be particularly remembered for her time as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls, during which the school saw some of its best results, together with record application numbers. She also oversaw vital infrastructure improvements and presided over difficult and emotive issues such as teachers pay negotiations and the Reduction in School Fees for teaching staff. The dedication and support that Sylvia committed to the Girls’ School, as indeed to the City of London School, whose Board she served on for over a decade, was unmatched. Her proactive and unfailing advocacy for the Schools’ activities is fondly remembered.

Beyond the Schools, Sylvia has been an active and willing Member of the Court of Common Council who applied her considerable skills and knowledge across the range of the City Corporation’s activities, including long tenures on the Finance, Planning and Transportation,  Establishment, Culture, Heritage and Libraries, and Epping Forest and Commons Committees, in addition to her invaluable work with our schools and on other committees. The many ways in which Sylvia contributed were rightly recognised when she was awarded an MBE in 2018, for her service to the City of London Corporation and to education in Croydon.

In taking its leave of her, this Honourable Court therefore extends to Sylvia its sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation for her hard work and many achievements over the past twenty years, as well as its very best wishes for the future.