Agenda item

Guidance for Liveries and Guilds – Conduct of Virtual Business

The Chairman of the General Purposes Committee reminded the Court that, at its meeting back in May, the General Purposes Committee had considered a further report setting out the current practice in respect of the decision-making processes of Livery Companies and Guilds, specifically in relation to the conduct of virtual meetings. In summary, the General Purposes Committee were supportive of certain aspects of Guild or Livery business taking place physically, in hybrid form or virtually on a permanent basis, as the Guild or Livery Company sees fit and consequently recommended this to the Court. However, there was one additional aspect recommended by the General Purposes Committee at that same meeting that also now required the formal consideration of this Court. It was therefore recommend that the Court also support that, specifically with regard to Livery Company Freedom Ceremonies, some flexibility be introduced as to how these might be conducted, such that a minority of them may take place virtually if occasion requires.

Resolved Unanimously: - That the Court of Aldermen support that, specifically with regard to Livery Company Freedom Ceremonies, some flexibility be introduced as to how these might be conducted, such that a minority of them may take place virtually if occasion requires.

Petition of the Guild of HR Professionals for Company without Livery Status

It was reported that the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen had approved the petition of the Guild of HR Professionals to be recognised as a Company without Livery and now wished to make a recommendation thereon to the Court of Aldermen. By way of brief background, it was reported that this Court had recognised the Guild of HR Professionals as a Guild of the City of London on 9 September 2014. A recognised guild that has functioned satisfactorily for at least four years can seek to be recognised as a City Company without Livery.  For the Guild of HR Professionals, this milestone accordingly fell in September 2018. The Guild had presented supplementary documents including a business plan, nominal roll, financial statements and ordinances, among other documents.

Resolved Unanimously: - That the Court of Aldermen grant the Guild of HR Professionals’ petition to be recognised as a Company without Livery of the City of London.

Redesignation of the London Regiment to the 1st Battalion London Guards

It was reported that a further matter considered by the General Purposes Committee was a public report of the City Remembrancer relative to the continued recognition of the 1st Battalion London Guards, the redesignated London Regiment, as a Privileged Corps of the City of London. Having considered the report, the General Purposes Committee now commended to this Court that the 1st Battalion London Guards, the redesignated London Regiment, continue to be recognised as a Privileged Corps of the City of London.

Resolved Unanimously: - That the 1st Battalion London Guards, the redesignated London Regiment, be recognised as a Privileged Corps of the City of London.