This week in City of London:

• The Resource, Risk & Estates (Police) Committee reviewed the City of London Police's budget outturn and discussed a productivity action plan.
• The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee agreed on procurement strategies for transformation and enforcement agents.
• The Economic and Cyber Crime Committee of the City of London Police Authority Board discussed the National Lead Force performance.
• The Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee considered a splash pad for Queen's Park and five-year business plans.
• The Civic Affairs Sub-Committee discussed the illumination of Guildhall policy and hospitality budget allocations.
• The Capital Buildings Board discussed the Salisbury Square Development and a property disposal strategy.
• The Court of Common Council considered wardmote resolutions and revisions to property transaction thresholds.
• The Gresham (City Side) Committee discussed risk management and updates on the Gresham Almshouses.

Resource, Risk & Estates (Police) Committee - Monday 19 May 2025

The Resource, Risk & Estates (Police) Committee reviewed the City of London Police’s (CoLP) provisional revenue and capital budget outturn for 2024/25, which showed a balanced revenue outturn of £116.3m. The committee also considered the City of London Police Productivity Action Plan, aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness within the force, and received an update on corporate services issues. Deputy Bethany Coombs was elected as Deputy Chair of the committee.

The City of London Police have been allocated £1.5m for 2025/26 to increase the number of Dedicated Ward Officers (DWOs) and the cycle team.

The City of London Police received an Enforcement Notice from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in November 2024 pertaining to non-compliance with response rates to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee - Monday 19 May 2025

The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee agreed a procurement strategy for a strategic transformation partner, a stage 1 strategy for enforcement agents for revenues and parking, a stage 2 strategy for a delivery partner for the Connect to Work Programme, and a stage 2 award report for City Schools Catering. Deputy Harinder Thandi was elected as Deputy Chair of the Sub-Committee.

The Sub-Committee agreed the procurement strategy for the appointment of a strategic partner to support the City of London Corporation's transformation programme.

The Sub-Committee received a number of reports concerning Section 278 agreements¹ relating to highway works at 65 Gresham Street and 40 Leadenhall Street.

Economic and Cyber Crime Committee of the City of London Police Authority Board - Tuesday 20 May 2025

The Economic and Cyber Crime Committee of the City of London Police Authority Board met to discuss the National Lead Force performance, innovation and growth in cyber and economic crime related activities. The committee was also scheduled to elect a deputy chair.

The committee was scheduled to receive two reports from the Commissioner of Police regarding the performance of the National Lead Force (NLF) against the objectives in the National Policing Strategy for Fraud, Economic and Cyber Crime 2023-28.

Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee - Tuesday 20 May 2025

The Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee were scheduled to discuss a five-year business plan for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park, and a proposal to install a splash pad in Queen's Park.

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the feasibility of reopening a water play feature at Queen’s Park, recommending the decommissioning of the paddling pool and installation of a new splash pad, at a cost of £250,000 - £275,000.

The committee was scheduled to review the draft five-year business plans for Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park.

The committee was scheduled to receive a report to provide assurance that risk management procedures in place within the Environment Department and its Natural Environment Division are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the Corporate Risk Management Framework and the Charities Act 2011. The report noted that since the last report to the committee, one new risk has been added to the register of each charity: Work related stress due to insufficient staffing levels.

The committee was scheduled to discuss the terms of reference for the Natural Environment Complementary Land Policy and Complementary Land Use Appraisal.

Civic Affairs Sub-Committee - Wednesday 21 May 2025

The Civic Affairs Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 21 May 2025 to discuss applications for use of the Great Hall, hospitality budget allocations, and the City of London cost guidelines.

The Civic Affairs Sub-Committee will be considering a report from the Remembrancer regarding the Illumination of Guildhall policy.

Capital Buildings Board - Wednesday 21 May 2025

The Capital Buildings Board were scheduled to meet on Wednesday 21 May 2025 to discuss updates on the Salisbury Square Development, the City of London Police property store, and a future disposal strategy for 1 Queen Victoria Street and the Mayor's and City Court, Guildhall.

Court of Common Council - Thursday 22 May 2025

The Court of Common Council of the City of London Corporation was scheduled to meet on 22 May 2025. On the agenda was the consideration of resolutions from annual wardmotes, revisions to standing orders regarding property transaction thresholds, and appointments to various committees.

The Court of Common Council was scheduled to consider resolutions arising from the annual Wardmotes² of Aldersgate, Bishopsgate, Cripplegate, and Dowgate. The Ward of Aldersgate requested an independent inquiry into the Speak for the City campaign, citing a failure to increase the number of contested wards, voters, and candidates in the 2025 elections.

The Policy and Resources Committee was scheduled to present a report recommending revisions to the standing orders regarding property transaction thresholds. The existing thresholds require approval from the Court of Common Council for all transactions valued at £5 million and above. The proposed revisions suggest increasing this threshold, so that all transactions below £20 million would be approved under delegation to officers.

The Court was scheduled to receive a report on the City of London Policing Plan 2025-28.

Gresham (City Side) Committee - Friday 23 May 2025

The Gresham (City Side) Committee was scheduled to meet on Friday 23 May 2025 to discuss a range of matters related to the Sir Thomas Gresham Charities, Gresham College, and the Gresham Almshouses.

The agenda included the election of a Chair and Deputy Chair for the committee.

A report from the Town Clerk, the Chamberlain, the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services, and the City Surveyor regarding a risk management update for the Sir Thomas Gresham Charities was scheduled to be discussed.

The committee was scheduled to receive updates on the Gresham Almshouses³, including a general update report from the Executive Director of Community & Children’s Services, and a progress report on works being done to the almshouses.

This week in City of London:

• The City of London Police Authority Board agreed on meeting frequencies, appointed committee chairs, and discussed external member recruitment.
• The Streets and Walkways Sub (Planning and Transportation) Committee adopted the Bunhill, Barbican & Golden Lane Healthy Neighbourhood Plan.
• The Court of Aldermen were scheduled to discuss applications for the Freedom of the City.
• The Barbican Residential Committee approved tower lift modernisation and a governance review of the Barbican Estate Office.
• The Audit and Risk Management Committee was scheduled to discuss risk management, internal audits, and the Annual Governance Statement.
• The unnamed committee met on Thursday 15 May 2025.
• The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee were scheduled to discuss the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant.
• The Licensing Committee agreed on proposed fee structures for gambling and sex establishment licenses.
• The Housing Management and Almshouses Sub (Community and Children's Services) Committee met on Thursday 15 May 2025.
• The General Purposes Committee of Aldermen discussed the Town Clerk's review and governance arrangements for ward beadles.
• The Digital Services Committee was scheduled to discuss DITS performance, the Chamberlain's Department business plan, and Programme Sapphire.
• The Markets Board received updates on Smithfield, Billingsgate, and New Spitalfields Markets.

City of London Police Authority Board - Wednesday 14 May 2025

The City of London Police Authority Board met on 14 May 2025 to discuss committee appointments, external member recruitment, the annual report, and the policing plan. The board agreed on the frequency of meetings for the board and its committees, appointed committee chairs, and approved role descriptions. Additionally, the board reviewed the recruitment of external members and received updates on the chair's activities, commissioner's updates, the draft annual report, and the policing plan.

The board received an update from the Chair, Tijs Broeke, on several key activities. The new City of London Policing Plan 2025-28 was published on 2 April 2025, outlining the priorities for the City Police for the next three years. The plan focuses on keeping the City safe, putting victims first, and improving the national response to fraud and cyber crime.

The City of London will receive £1 million in grant funding from the Home Office to deliver hotspot policing initiatives targeting serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

Streets and Walkways Sub (Planning and Transportation) Committee - Wednesday 14 May 2025

The Streets and Walkways Sub (Planning and Transportation) Committee met to discuss a number of street improvement projects, adopt the Bunhill, Barbican & Golden Lane Healthy Neighbourhood Plan, and consider the designs for Leadenhall Street as part of the City Cluster Vision Programme. The committee also discussed and approved Section 278 agreements[^2] for developments at 65 Gresham Street and 40 Leadenhall Street.

The committee adopted the Bunhill, Barbican & Golden Lane Healthy Neighbourhood Plan (HNP), which aims to improve air quality and the experience for pedestrians in the area. The plan proposes traffic management changes and public realm improvements. A budget of £40,383 was approved for staff costs to manage the programme during the next reporting period.

The committee approved the scheme design for Leadenhall Street improvements, which are part of the City Cluster Vision Programme, and agreed to progress the required Traffic Management Orders up to the 'Notice of Intent' stage. The total estimated cost of the project is £7-8.5 million.

The committee approved an additional budget of £135,000 for the 65 Gresham Street S278 project to reach the next gateway, and authorised officers to invoice the developer for this amount. The project involves works to improve the public highway associated with the development at 65 Gresham Street, including the potential pedestrianisation of Aldermanbury.

The committee approved the content of the outcome report for the 40 Leadenhall Street S278 project, and authorised officers to finalise the accounts for the project, as well as for the 52-54 Lime Street Phase 1 and 10 Fenchurch Street S278 projects. The committee also agreed to close these three projects.

Court of Aldermen - Tuesday 13 May 2025

The Court of Aldermen were scheduled to meet to discuss applications for the Freedom of the City, and a report from the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen. They were also scheduled to give thanks to the Spital Sermon Preacher.

The Chamberlain presented a list of 121 people to be admitted to the Freedom of the City.

The Court of Aldermen were scheduled to consider recommendations from its General Purposes Committee on an application from the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers for a Supplemental Charter[^1].

The Court was also scheduled to consider recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on a petition from the Company of Communicators to be constituted as a Livery Company of the City of London. The recommendation was that the petition be granted, subject to certain conditions.

Barbican Residential Committee - Monday 12 May 2025

The Barbican Residential Committee (BRC) convened to discuss key issues affecting the Barbican Estate, including lift modernisation, governance review, and repairs and maintenance. The committee approved the terms of reference for a governance review of the Barbican Estate Office (BEO), and also approved the proposal to proceed to the specification and tendering phase of the major modernisation for the tower lifts, retaining the guides, counterweight, and frame. The committee also received updates on various ongoing projects and financial matters.

The committee approved a proposal to proceed with the specification and tendering phase of major modernisation for the tower lifts, retaining the guides, counterweight, and frame. The estimated costs for modernisation are £5,045,000.

The committee approved the terms of reference for a governance review of the BEO. The review, to be undertaken by an independent consultant, will assess the effectiveness of the current governance structure. The cost of the review is estimated to be up to £50,000.

The committee received a report outlining the agreed principles for work charging under the current repairs and maintenance contract.

Dan Sanders, Assistant Director, Barbican Estate provided an update on service charges to all leaseholders, reporting a £2.7 million underspend in the service charge expenditure for 2023/24, which he attributed to a significant reduction in energy costs following rebates from the Power Purchase Agreement[^1].

Audit and Risk Management Committee - Monday 12 May 2025

The Audit and Risk Management Committee of the City of London Corporation was scheduled to meet on 12 May 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the appointment of sub-committees, external member appointments, risk management, internal audit updates, treasury management, and the Annual Governance Statement. The meeting also included time for members to ask questions relating to the work of the committee.

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an update on the corporate and top red departmental risk registers.

The committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an update on Internal Audit activity between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025. The report pack noted that 9 Internal Audit reviews had been completed to Final Report stage and work was in progress at various stages for a number of Audit reviews.

The committee was scheduled to receive a report summarising the Head of Internal Audit Annual Opinion, as detailed in the Head of Internal Audit’s Annual Report.

The committee was scheduled to receive a report setting out the Corporation’s Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy (relating to Treasury Management) for 2025/26.

The committee was scheduled to consider and approve the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2024/25 (City Fund), which is published alongside the 2024/25 City Fund and Pension Fund Statement of Accounts.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee - Wednesday 14 May 2025

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee were scheduled to discuss the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, temporary accommodation, the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, and an update on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. The committee was also scheduled to hear an update from the Commissioner of the City of London Police.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing a summary of the interventions to be delivered by the City of London (CoL) through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant (RSPRG) for the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing a summary of temporary accommodation (TA) usage under s.188 and s.193 of the Housing Act 1996 and on a discretionary basis as a measure for the relief of rough sleeping.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report presenting narrative and analysis on the City of London’s (CoL’s) Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) 2024/2025.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing a summary of progress against the aims set out in the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023–2027.

Licensing Committee - Tuesday 13 May 2025

The City of London Corporation's Licensing Committee met on 13 May 2025 to elect a chairman and deputy chairman, approve the minutes from the previous meeting, and discuss several reports. The committee agreed on a proposed fee structure for 2025/26, and delegated authority to the Executive Director Environment to approve future annual fees for gambling and sex establishment licenses, subject to providing informational reports to the committee. The committee also received updates on appeals against licensing sub-committee decisions, ongoing work streams, and delegated decisions of the Executive Director Environment pertaining to premises licences.

The committee agreed the proposed fees structure for 2025/26 for Gambling Act 2005 Fees and Sex Establishments Fees. They also delegated authority to the Executive Director Environment to approve future annual fees on a full cost recovery basis, including adjustments for prior years’ under/over recovery where relevant, and subject to any statutory limits that may apply.

The committee received a report from the Executive Director Environment detailing premises licences and variations to premises licences granted under the Licensing Act 2003 between 1 December 2024 and 28 February 2025.

General Purposes Committee of Aldermen - Tuesday 13 May 2025

The General Purposes Committee of Aldermen met to discuss the Town Clerk's two-year review, governance arrangements for ward beadles, and the appointment of a City Marshal. They were also scheduled to discuss appointments to Emanuel School, King Edward’s School Witley, and Sir John Soane’s Museum. Additionally, the committee was expected to receive updates on strategy groups and key committee issues.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report providing a high-level executive summary of the work of Ian Thomas CBE, Town Clerk and Chief Executive, and his Executive Leadership Board over the past two years. The report highlights several achievements, including:

• The decision to relinquish statutory responsibility for running Smithfield and Billingsgate Markets, which is expected to save £600m - £700m.
• Securing a £100m rescue package for the London Museum.
• Securing a £191m package to prevent the Barbican Centre from enforced closure, as part of the long-term Barbican Renewal Programme.
• City of London Corporation's Children’s Services being rated as outstanding by Ofsted.
• The Guildhall School of Music and Drama rising to third in the world for music and fourth in the world for performing arts in the QS University Rankings 2025.

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report from the City Remembrancer regarding the governance arrangements for ward beadles[^2].

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report from the Executive Director, Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor, regarding the appointment of the City Marshal[^3].

Digital Services Committee - Thursday 15 May 2025

The Digital Services Committee was scheduled to discuss the Digital, Information and Technology Service's (DITS) performance, the Chamberlain's Department business plan, and the progress of Programme Sapphire. They were also scheduled to consider the use of Copilot for M365 across the City of London Corporation. In addition to these topics, the committee was expected to elect a chair and deputy chair, and make appointments to other committees.

The committee was scheduled to consider the Chamberlain's Department Business Plan for 2025/26. The Chamberlain's Department supports the City of London Corporation and its partner organisations.

The Digital Services Committee was scheduled to receive several reports relating to the Digital, Information and Technology Service (DITS).

The Digital Services Committee was scheduled to receive a report summarising the findings of a recent discovery exercise completed by Phoenix Software Limited, into the use of Copilot for M365 across several City of London Corporation departments.

The Digital Services Committee was scheduled to receive a report providing an update on the progress of Programme Sapphire[^3], the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Programme.

Markets Board - Thursday 15 May 2025

The City of London Corporation's Markets Board met to elect a chairman and deputy chairman, approve the minutes from the previous meeting, and receive updates on the business plan, risk management, and general operations at Smithfield Market, Billingsgate Market, and New Spitalfields Market. The board also discussed debt arrears and tenancies.

The Board received an update on the progress made during Period 3 (December-March) of 2024/25 and key improvement objectives outlined in the Markets’ Business Plan 2024/25[^1].

The Board received a report providing assurance that the risk management procedures in place within the Markets Division are satisfactory and meet the requirements of the corporate Risk Management Framework.