Agenda item

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

HOSPITALITY WORKING PARTY OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(John George Stewart Scott, J.P., Chief Commoner)

10 July 2018

Applications for Hospitality

(a)      Ambassador of Kuwait

His Excellency, the Ambassador of Kuwait, Mr Khaled Al-Duwaisan, was due to complete 25 years as Ambassador to the United Kingdom during 2018. 

The Ambassador was a regular attendee at many City events, including the Lord Mayor’s Banquet and State Banquets.  As Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, he was also one of the speakers at the Easter Banquet. During his tenure, the City had hosted two State Banquets for Kuwait, in May 1995 and November 2012. 

The Ambassador had been recognised with awards for his work on interfaith dialogue and counter-terrorism and was awarded a KCVO by Her Majesty the Queen in 2015.

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James and to thank him for his work in promoting ties between Kuwait and the UK, including the City. Guests would include representatives from the Royal Household, Foreign Office and City businesses, and personal City contacts of the Ambassador including Livery Companies and institutions with which the Ambassador was associated. 

It was therefore recommended that hospitality be granted for a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within approved parameters.

The host element would be the Hospitality Working Party, Aldermen above the Chair and Members with relevant interests.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a dinner to mark the Ambassador’s 25 years of service to the Court of St James, with arrangements to be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the approved parameters.

(b)      Volunteers supporting the City

The City Corporation and the City of London benefit from a large number of volunteers.  Volunteers support departments such as Open Spaces, Guildhall Art Gallery and the London Metropolitan Archives as well as those who volunteer as Marshalls or stewards at the Lord Mayor’s Show. 

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts an early evening reception to thank volunteers who support the work of the City Corporation and highlight volunteering opportunities. 

Guests would include volunteers, City Corporation representatives who co-ordinate volunteering activity, representatives from the City’s Giving Day, Lord Mayor’s Appeal, City Schools and Academies, and Members with relevant interests.

It was therefore recommended that the City Corporation host an early evening reception to recognise the work of its volunteers and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

This would be a full Court event.

Resolved – That the City Corporation host an early evening reception to recognise the work of its volunteers with arrangements to be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.