Agenda item

To consider the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director, Innovation & Growth.

On the CAI’s rejection of the C. Hoare Bank plaque application, the Committee noted that referral to the EDI Committee had been suggested. A Member commented on the importance of having the right process in place to assess applications, noting sensitivities around any slave-owning history. A Member asked whether the applicants had been aware of the EDI Committee referral suggestion and whether that had impacted to decision to withdraw the application. The meeting heard that the process itself had been discussed at the CAI meeting (at which a representative of C. Hoare was present) and heard that no reason had been given for the withdrawal.

A Member commented that the CAI discussion had centred on the Bank’s role on the financing of the slave trade, noting that such financing was likely to be a part of the history of most banks in the City and that additional explanation of the Bank’s role in the slave trade would have been expected. The Member commented that such discussions ought rightly to be conducted among elected Members, and asked whether C. Hoare had been told of that element of the discussion. 

RESOLVED, That the Committee

·       Ratify the City Arts Initiative’s recommendations in relation to proposals 1 - 2 as follows:

o   Folio400 - William Jaggard – Permanent memorial – further consultation and submission of evidence required with Barbican Renewal, Residents and Estates Office before the application can be reviewed for approval; and

o   Scott Whitby Studio on behalf of C. Hoare Bank - Blue Plaque – approve the rejection of this application by CAI; and also to

·       Approve the revision of the current CAI Terms of Reference.