Agenda item

A Member of the Sub-Committee raised that there was a new Chaplain to the Corporation, who had described that there was no formal structure in place for this role. The Member noted that comparative organisations co-ordinated with other religious leaders within the local communities, noting the diversity of faith within the City of London. Given the role of the Sub Committee, the Member read out the following statement that they would refer to the Corporate Services Committee and Civic Affairs Sub Committee:

“The Town Clerk be invited to review the historic, contemporary, and potential future role of the Guild Church of St Lawrence Jewry and its Guild Vicar as Chapel and Chaplain to the Corporation supporting staff and member welfare and pastoral engagement.

In undertaking the review, Officers be invited to consider options for additional chaplaincy provision supplementing the work of the Guild Vicar as Senior Chaplain, potentially establishing a multi-faith and humanist chaplaincy team (most likely of volunteers drawn from local faith groups) led by the Guild Vicar.

The review should also bear in mind the civic and ceremonial role of St Lawrence Jewry as our official church in the life of the Corporation, noting the Corporation’s freehold ownership of the Church, the contribution to its recent refurbishment, and the annual grant which covers the cost of the stipend and accommodation for the Guild Vicar and maintenance costs.

That this resolution be referred to the Corporate Services Committee and Civic Affairs Sub-Committee for their endorsement.”

Members of the Committee made comments on the wording of this resolution. Officers agreed that this resolution would be taken away to understand its component parts, and that it could be reported back on alongside the other Committees referred to in the resolution.