Agenda item

To consider recommendations concerning the provision of hospitality.

Hospitality Working Party of the Policy and Resources Committee

(Tom Hoffman, M.B.E., Deputy, Chief Commoner)

30 April 2019

Applications for Hospitality

(a)      (A) London’s Grand Designs Exhibition

An outdoor exhibition entitled ‘London’s Grand Designs; Building a Capital City 1675 to 1986’ was to take place in Guildhall Yard between 1^st – 16^th July 2019.  The exhibition would display a collection from the London Metropolitan Archives demonstrating the most significant architecture and engineering projects in London since the Great Fire. The exhibition would form part of the City Corporation’s major outdoor programme ‘Fantastic Feats’.

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a lecture by Professor Jeremy Black entitled “The turning tide: the City and the River”. The lecture would be an opportunity for the City Corporation to commemorate the significant anniversaries of the key architects and engineering schemes of the past, while also linking to the modern-day City. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a lecture, reception and small private dinner on 8^th July 2019 to mark the London’s Grand Designs exhibition 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.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a lecture, reception and small private dinner 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.

(b)      (B) Invictus Games

The Invictus Games Foundation was established with the aim of using sport as a tool for recovery and rehabilitation.  In consultation with His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, the Foundation created a multi-national event to inspire recovery and  rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding for injured servicemen and women.

The inaugural Invictus Games was held in London in 2014, with over 400 competitors from 13 nations.  The City Corporation hosted a dinner in the build up to the games.  The Foundation has since delivered games in Orlando, Toronto and Sydney. The fifth Invictus Games was to take place in the Hague in May 2020 with 500 competitors from 20 nations and 1000 friends and family in support expected to attend.

It was proposed that the City Corporation host an early evening reception on 10^th September 2019 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Invictus Games.  The reception would also provide a platform to announce the Host City for the Games in 2022, and to thank individuals and partner organisations who have supported the Games.

It was, therefore, recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to mark the fifth anniversary of the Invictus Games 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 hospitality be granted for an early evening reception 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.

(c)       (C) Commonwealth High Commissioners’ Banquet

Since 2015, the City Corporation had hosted an annual banquet for the Commonwealth High Commissioners. The City Corporation had also hosted a number of other Commonwealth themed events at Guildhall and Mansion House.  This included country specific events, such as the India Day Conference at Mansion House in July and the 200^th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles’ founding of modern Singapore. 

In 2018, the City Corporation had hosted the Commonwealth Business Forum, a key pillar of the 2018 Commonwealth Summit, in partnership with the Cabinet Office and the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). It was proposed the City Corporation also host the 2019 High Commissioners’ Banquet in September, working with the Royal Commonwealth Society and CWEIC.

It was, therefore, recommended that hospitality be granted for a banquet for the Commonwealth High Commissioners and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a banquet and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Policy and Resources Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within approved parameters.

(d)       (D) The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, in partnership with Comic Relief and the Royal Commonwealth Society, launched The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme in 2014.  It aims to “discover, celebrate and support” exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth, leaving a lasting legacy in honour of Her Majesty The Queen.

In addition to making awards directly to young people, The Queen’s Young Leaders’ grants are given to organisations in Commonwealth countries that can show they are improving the lives of young people.

It was proposed that the City Corporation host a panel discussion and reception on 25^th October 2019, to mark the conclusion of The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening panel discussion and reception to mark the conclusion of The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the City Bridge Trust Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening panel discussion and reception and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the City Bridge Trust Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within approved parameters.

(e)       (E) Association of Leading Visitor Attractions Dinner

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) is an industry body that represents the views of the country’s foremost visitor attractions to Government, the broader tourism industry, business, media and the public. The City of London is a member of ALVA under the collective banner “City Corporation Attractions”, with paying member attractions being Tower Bridge and the Monument, the Museum of London, Guildhall Art Gallery and the Barbican.

The Association holds three council meetings each year in different parts of the UK, including one in London, to discuss sector issues.  This year, the London meeting was to be hosted by the Museum of London on 13^th September. As part of the meeting a networking dinner takes place attended by government ministers and local authority leaders and it was proposed that the City Corporation host this networking dinner at the Museum of London on 12^th September 2019. The dinner will provide an opportunity to highlight the City as a modern visitor destination and its role as a global hub for innovation in culture. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a dinner as part of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions council meeting in London and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the cost to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a dinner and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within approved parameters.