Agenda item

Referral regarding Member E-mail

The Sub-Committee noted that the Chairman of Policy & Resources, at the last meeting of the Court of Common Council, had indicated his intention to refer a matter concerning a particular email to the Sub-Committee. This was raised at the recent meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, and the Committee agreed to invite the Sub-Committee to consider this matter. The Sub-Committee were invited to consider if there was any action that it wished to take, under paragraph E of its terms of reference.

The Sub-Committee discussed the possible actions it could take, including suggesting guidance to members that any communications sent by Members, even if it was not produced by the Member, that could be misconstrued as offensive was the same as it if it had been produced by the Member. There were also links to Member development and training, especially in relation to the upcoming elections in 2025, and the requirement of mandatory training on certain matters. However, the Sub-Committee did note that these matters were not within its remit.

It was therefore agreed that the Sub-Committee refer this matter to the Member Development and Standards Sub-Committee under its responsibilities for the City of London Corporation Member Code of Conduct. It was also agreed that the Sub-Committee further recommended considering further Member training, including what training would be mandatory and how this could be enforced.

RESOLVED – That the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee note the referral from the Policy & Resources Committee, and invite the Member Development and Standards Sub-Committee to consider the matter under its responsibility in overseeing the City of London Corporation’s Member Code of Conduct, with a further recommendation to the Member Development and Standards Sub-Committee to consider further Member training, including what training is mandatory and consider how this may be enforced.