Agenda item

Jamie Ingham Clark moved a voted of thanks to Jeremy Mayhew, the immediate past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Members of the Finance Committee express their sincere thanks to:

JEREMY MAYHEW

for the extremely able manner and good humour in which he has presided over their deliberations and the detailed attention and interest he has shown in all aspects of the work of the Finance Committee for the past five years.

Jeremy has overseen a challenging time for the Corporation’s finances with reductions in Government funding, uncertain times for the British Economy and most recently the COVID pressures with significant income losses from our property investment portfolio and from the closure of many services. 

He has ably overseen a Fundamental Review, realigning resources to the Corporation’s priorities whilst making a 15% saving; and facilitated greater collaboration, working closely with the Policy Chair and Service Committee Chairman in the latest budget round, securing 12% savings.

If Jeremy were to have a tattoo on each arm, I’m sure it would be efficiency on the one and prioritisation on the other.

He has often told us that his instincts are to be a low tax politician.  But in practice, his prudency is for a purpose. Jeremy’s legacy is one of being tough on spending…. but with a heart - protecting services for the most vulnerable in our communities, such as rough sleeping and social care.   He has been a strong advocate for the provision of support to our Academies and increased disaster relief funding, again helping those most in need.  He was also instrumental in re-focusing our investment in culture into the renewal of the Barbican Centre. In financing these plans, Jeremy led a working party delivering an award-winning private placement under a radical and innovative green and sustainable financing framework.

Jeremy has ensured that our medium-term financial plans can support the City’s ambitious plans, including our three major projects: the relocation of the Museum of London, the combined courts facility and the consolidation of our markets on a single site in Barking. These projects will mean that the City is a safe, vibrant and thriving environment in which people, from all over the world, want to live, visit and work.  

As Chairman, he has spearheaded a delegated approach to the Committee’s sub committees - the engine room, allowing the grand committee to focus on the big strategic decisions, whilst maintaining appropriate Member oversight of IT, Procurement, Operational Properties and Efficiency and Performance.  

Jeremy formed a formidable partnership with the late Chamberlain and has ensured that the City Corporation is placed to look positively to the future, with the excellent appointment of our new Chamberlain.   And I have yet to find a Liam Byrne type letter, telling me that all the money has been spent.  For which we can all be very grateful.

AND SO in taking leave of Jeremy Mayhew as their Chairman, Members of this Finance Committee wish to thank him for his service and excellent leadership of the City Corporation’s financial affairs during this challenging period. The Committee gives to him their best wishes for his future health and happiness.