Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Communications and External Affairs.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs regarding the Think Tank Review and Membership for 2023/24.

In the discussion the following points were made:

·       It was important to have the right balance of think tanks across the political spectrum.

·       There were a wide range of opportunities to engage with other organisations without joining as corporate members.

·       Members queried how much Chatham House and LGiU memberships were used and whether they provided value for money. An Officer stated that there were 25 nominees signed up to Chatham House and this comprised Members and Officers. Since March 2023, Members and Officers had engaged at 17 events. A Member suggested that a list of memberships, the budget for each of them and alternative options be submitted to the Sub-Committee. An Officer stated that some of the data was commercially sensitive. This data would be presented as a non-public item.

·       In addition to the memberships which sat within the Corporate Affair’s budget, the review would consider other memberships including the IPT which sat within the Remembrancer’s Team and CBI which sat within the Innovation and Growth team. The review would also include how Members could access more of the opportunities within the memberships.

·       The Tony Blair Institute was working on police policy and Officers would keep Members updated on this work.

·       Members requested oversight of memberships and subscriptions across the Corporation. Whilst the Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs had agreed to present these to the Sub-Committee, more consideration would need to be given to how this could be actioned where memberships and subscriptions in other departments were approved under the officer scheme of delegation. It was acknowledged that if Member approval was to be provided, under the terms of reference, this would have to be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee. Officers would consider the terms of reference and report back to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman on this.

RESOLVED, That Members

• Note the existing partnerships and engagement with think tanks; and
• Agree to a wider review of the City Corporation partnerships in relation to Communications and Corporate Affairs, to include the broadened scope as outlined above, with a view to a further report being submitted to the Sub-Committee and Policy and Resources Committee in early 2024.