The Corporate Services Committee was scheduled to meet on Wednesday 22 October 2025 to discuss a health and safety update, the Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) strategic framework, and the revenue outturn for 2024-25. Some of the meeting was scheduled to be held in private because it was expected that exempt information would be disclosed.

Health and Safety Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on health and safety management practices within the City of London Corporation. A report by Greg Moore, Deputy Town Clerk, included a follow-up review by Quadriga Health & Safety Ltd, which assessed the progress made in response to recommendations from a 2023 report and subsequent internal audit findings.

The 2023 review identified gaps in health and safety governance and assurance. In response, the City of London Corporation appointed a new Director of Health and Safety and implemented an action plan. The 2025 follow-up review was intended to assess the implementation and effectiveness of these actions.

The report commended the City Corporation for its progress, noting that all recommendations were either fully implemented, addressed through alternative actions, or in the process of completion. Achievements included a new Health and Safety Strategy, a comprehensive policy framework, digitised monitoring systems, and enhanced governance arrangements. There had also been investment in training, recruitment, and professional development for health and safety practitioners, with clear career pathways planned as part of Ambition 25.

However, the report also highlighted the need for continued training for local health and safety practitioners and a review of resourcing for the central Health and Safety team. It cautioned that without sustained investment, recent gains could be reversed, potentially increasing organisational and personal risk for senior leaders.

The report included the following key recommendations:

1. Urgently pursue training for local health and safety leaders where any gaps remain.
2. Review and secure adequate ongoing resources for the central Health and Safety Team to maintain and build on current progress.

The report stated that the focus on health and safety would support departments and institutions in achieving the corporate goal of 65%. It also noted that any fines resulting from accidents at work are not insurable.

Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Strategic Framework

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from Dionne Corradine, Chief Strategy Officer, regarding the City of London Corporation's draft Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI) Strategic Framework. The framework is intended to enhance accountability and deliver a proactive, transparent EEDI service.

The proposed components of the draft EEDI Strategic Framework are:

• A) City of London Corporation EEDI Theory of Change.
• B) EEDI Roadmap.
• C) City of London Corporation bespoke EEDI Maturity Matrix.
• D) EEDI Operating Model.
• E) Staff Network operating model.

The EEDI Strategic Framework aims to address systemic and cultural EEDI challenges through continuous improvement and long-term change. It is designed to help City Corporation departments understand their roles and clarify expectations and accountability. The Corporate EEDI function would provide induction and ongoing support.

The EEDI Theory of Change maps how EEDI change is expected to happen across City Corporation, linking activities and outputs to short and long-term outcomes framed around key themes such as culture, strategy, data, leadership and engagement.

The EEDI Maturity Matrix is a structured framework that assesses the City Corporation's EEDI capabilities and processes to determine its level of maturity or advancement.

The EEDI Operating Model sets out how the City Corporation will strategically deploy its EEDI resources to deliver meaningful impact across the organisation.

The report stated that the EEDI Strategic Framework aligns with the Corporate Plan 2024-2029, Equality Objectives 2024-2029, and national policy commitments. It also stated that implementation of the framework would strengthen the ability to anticipate challenges and mitigate risks.

Revenue Outturn 2024-25

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the revenue outturn for 2024-25. The report, from Mark Jarvis, Head of Finance, Chamberlain's Department, and Declan Greaves, Finance Business Partner, Chamberlain's Department, detailed the final budget for the year and the approved carry forward.

The report summarised the outturn for the following services:

• Deputy Town Clerk: Town Clerk's Department, Corporate Services and Health and Safety.
• Comptroller and City Solicitor: Comptroller and City Solicitor's Office.
• Chief People Officer: Corporate HR.

Overall net expenditure during the year was £14.051m, against a budget of £12.640m, representing an overspend of £1.411m.

The main variations were:

• Comptroller and City Solicitor: increased net expenditure of £0.935m, due to unbudgeted pressures including external advice on an employee relations issue, an additional pension strain, unfunded external legal fees, additional locum staffing costs, and a significant increase in property work.
• Deputy Town Clerk: decreased net expenditure of £0.321m, relating to underspends within Health & Safety and Corporate Services.
• Chief People Officer: increased net expenditure of £0.797m, due to an overspend in HR in conjunction with the ongoing restructure, with additional agency costs and consulting fees, and an overspend on staff training.

The Deputy Town Clerk had carry-forward amounts of £0.070m agreed, related to work on the Health and Safety strategy.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Consideration of the public minutes and non-public summary of the Corporate Services Committee meeting on 10 September 2025¹ and the draft public minutes of the Joint Consultative Committee meeting on 4 September 2025².
• Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee.
• Exclusion of the public for items of business involving the likely disclosure of exempt information.
• Consideration of non-public and confidential minutes from previous meetings.
• An update report on Programme Sapphire³.
• A report on the City Business & Investment Unit.
• A report on employment cases and settlements.
• An update from the Town Clerk.