Agenda item

There were five urgent items.

London Design Festival

The Committee heard that the London Design Festival desired to place some of its ‘Landmark Projects’ around the City during the 2013 Festival. The Director of the Built Environment advised that all applications for such projects would be subject to the City’s usual approval procedures but the Festival were seeking approval in principle before detailed plans were drawn up. The Director clarified that there would be no cost to the City for hosting the installations.

RESOLVED – That the application from London Design Festival to place ‘Landmark Project’ art installations around the City be approved in principle subject to more detail being submitted to the Committee in a timely manner.

Tower Bridge Boilers

The Committee were advised that the boiler units at Tower Bridge had proved problematic over the winter months. The Director added that a decision had been taken to replace the boilers within 4-6 weeks and that the cost would be in the region of £10,000. The Chairman requested that a written report be brought to the next meeting.

Cart Marking

The Chairman informed the Board that a recent meeting with the Worshipful Company of Carmen had been very useful. He added that work would be done to work with the Carmen to publicise the Annual Cart Marking event more widely and added that the Museum of London might have an involvement in 2013.

National Education Policy

A Member, also Chairman of the Barbican Centre Board advised the Committee that the Barbican Centre would be adding its voice to increasing concern from the Arts Community that Government plans for the English Baccalaureate effectively side-lined the Arts in education.

The Chairman endorsed the Members comments and encouraged Members of the Committee to pursue the matter with influential individuals they met whilst carrying out their duties as elected Members of the Court.

Art and Artefacts in Storage

Discussion ensued about what to do with the large volume of art and artefacts that the City Corporation had accumulated over a number of years. Particular attention was paid to the collection of Lord Mayor’s gifts which were kept in storage and not likely to be displayed in the future. In response, the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries undertook to advise the Chairman of a reasonable timeframe for the production of a report on the subject.