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)

20 May 2019

Applications for Hospitality

(a)      HMS President reception

HMS President, the Royal Navy Reserve Unit associated with London, was awarded the status of a Privileged Corps of the City of London in 2016.  

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts an early evening reception in recognition of the grant of privileged status and the unveiling of a new ceremonial crest for HMS President. The event would be an opportunity to meet members of the Ship’s Company, build on the strong affiliation with the unit, and generally further links between the City Corporation and the Royal Navy. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a reception for HMS President with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a reception for HMS President with arrangements being made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(b)      UK-China summit 

China has been established as a priority market for the City of London Corporation, and active engagement with the country has been promoted over a number of years.  It was proposed that the City Corporation host a business summit for selected Chinese and UK business guests followed by a dinner on Tuesday 3^rd September 2019. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a business event and dinner 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 business event and dinner 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.

(c)      Early evening reception to celebrate Diwali

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts an early evening reception to celebrate Diwali on Wednesday 30^th October 2019. 

Speakers would include the Lord Mayor and a senior representative from the Indian Community. The event would provide an opportunity to demonstrate the City Corporation’s commitment to bringing together different communities and celebrate London as a multi-faith City.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate Diwali 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.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to celebrate Diwali and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(d)      Early evening reception on the eve of the Women of the Future Summit in London

The Women of the Future Summit was to take place in London on 7^th November 2019 and form part of the wider “Week of Women” taking place from 4^th – 7^th November, being run in partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the GREAT Campaign.  The “Week of Women” was to focus on issues of gender equality and comprise events promoting cultural exchange, learning and networking.

It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts an early evening reception on the eve of the Women of the Future Summit. 

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to coincide with the Women of the Future Summit in London, 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 an early evening reception to coincide with the Women of the Future Summit in London, 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 the agreed parameters.

(e)      Annual reception for volunteers

In January 2019, the City Corporation hosted a reception to recognise the work of its volunteers. The reception was an opportunity to thank individuals who give up their time voluntarily for the City Corporation. Over 400 volunteers attended.

The Hospitality Working Party agreed at its February meeting that the reception should become an annual event, with it proposed that the City Corporation host the next reception in the Great Hall in early 2020.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to recognise the work of volunteers who support the City Corporation, 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.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for an early evening reception to recognise the work of volunteers who support the City Corporation, and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.

(f)        2020 London Culture Forum Conference

The London Culture Forum is a biennial conference co-ordinated by London Councils which brings together representatives from all London Boroughs to discuss arts, culture and tourism.

It was proposed that that the City Corporation provide the venue and refreshments for the 2020 London Culture Forum Conference at Guildhall.  The Forum would be an opportunity for the City Corporation to engage with the capital’s culture sector and demonstrate its support for the London and national cultural and tourism offers.  The Forum would also provide a platform to launch the City Corporation’s first Cultural Strategy Annual Review.

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for the London Culture Forum, and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee; the costs to be met from City’s Cash within agreed parameters.

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

(g)      Early evening reception following Gresham College’s Mayflower 400 lecture

2020 marks the 400^th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth to America. A programme of events was planned to mark this significant anniversary beginning in November 2019.

Gresham College was to hold a lecture on Monday 27^th April 2020 entitled ‘The Miracle of the Mayflower: How London Merchants and Dutch Toleration made America’ at the Dutch Church in Austin Friars. It was proposed that the City Corporation hosts an early evening reception following this lecture. The reception would provide an opportunity for the City Corporation to support the Mayflower 400 anniversary and further engage with the Dutch community in London following the recent State Visit of the King and Queen of the Netherlands

It was recommended that hospitality be granted for a reception following the lecture 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.

Resolved – That hospitality be granted for a reception following the lecture and that arrangements be made under the auspices of the Hospitality Working Party; the costs to be met from City’s Cash and within the agreed parameters.