Agenda item

Maggie Berry OBE (Director, The Heart of the City) to be heard.

Maggie Berry (Director, Heart of the City) provided an update for the Committee on the current priorities for Heart of the City.

Members were advised about Heart of the City’s new climate action course for small and medium sized business (SMEs) operating in the Square Mile, free to SMEs and funded by the City of London Corporation. Members were advised that 69% of SMEs did not know how to measure their carbon footprint so there was a vital role to be played in supporting SME’s to address what they are doing to mitigate climate change. This included the support of large City-based businesses to help the SME community and supply chains to achieve the net zero target. It was noted that Climate for SMEs: 4 Steps to Action was intended to get SMEs ready to start their net zero journey in four modules with workshops and insight sessions introducing them to sustainability and climate change experts to guide them so they could develop a net zero action plan and make a commitment to being net zero by 2040. Businesses with less than 250 employees that were based in or had substantial operations in the City of London were eligible to sign up to the course. Members were advised that information about the climate course was available to share online at https://theheartofthecity.com/spread-the-word/ and applications to join the course could be made via theheartofthecity.com. 

In response to a query about the number of SMEs that were signed up, Ms Berry commented that details could be circulated after the meeting. It was noted that some SMEs had signed up but fell into the category of not being located in the City but having more than 50% of their operations in the City. Having outlined the SME outreach activity that had already been undertaken, Ms Berry invited all Aldermen to help Heart of the City reach all SMEs in their Wards, particularly as this would be an on-going campaign and SMEs could sign up for the programme at any time. Currently 40 businesses were signed up to commence the programme in the new year. Heart of the City was also keen to know what climate related issues SMEs were facing and how the organisation might be able to assist.

An Alderman enquired about engagement with trade bodies such as UK Finance, the Investment Association, PIMFA and PFS and, in response, Aldermen were asked to provide introductions to relevant trade bodies. The Chairman commented that, in order to assist Heart of the City, it would be useful to know what businesses were in each Ward and which were already registered so a targeted approach could be made, noting GDPR considerations. This flow of information and accurate data would be helpful for all parties and beyond the climate piece. It was noted that a good dialogue was in place with the Electoral Registration Team around data sharing.

With regards to future regulatory requirements, a query was raised about how Heart of the City was keeping abreast of on-going changes and future formal requirements, so it could be a useful conduit for SMEs. Ms Berry confirmed that Heart of the City was working closely with an engaged group of corporate ambassadors and SMEs to ensure that all businesses could be equipped ahead of time. 

There was some discussion about the need to engage larger City businesses in this activity so they could champion the commitment to achieving net zero and actively promote the toolkit and, if desirable, bespoke programmes across supply chains throughout the UK. It was noted that the climate action toolkit was free to all businesses and Heart of the City was happy to work with larger business to develop bespoke programmes. Toolkit and information to be shared with all aldermen.

The Chairman thanked Ms Berry for her presentation and requested that the Town Clerk circulate the relevant presentation materials and other useful information to all Aldermen.