The Communications & Corporate Affairs Sub (Policy & Resources) Committee meeting scheduled for 15 April 2026 was set to cover a range of topics, including a review of the 2025 Election Engagement Campaign, updates from various teams within the Corporate Affairs department, and a significant report on the Digital Review Transformation Programme. The meeting's agenda also included discussions on media and digital performance, film liaison activities, and parliamentary updates.

2025 Election Engagement Campaign Review – Candidate Engagement Recommendations

A key item on the agenda was a review of the 2025 Election Engagement Campaign, with a focus on recommendations for improving candidate engagement. The report, presented by the Interim Executive Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement, aimed to address the observed gap between public interest in civic participation and the actual number of candidates standing for election. The report highlighted that while engagement activities generated interest, structural and behavioural barriers continued to limit conversion into candidacy. Feedback from Members and officers had been incorporated to prioritise practical and deliverable interventions. The report noted that nearly 70% of prospective candidates indicated that encouragement from a current Member would have made them more likely to stand. The recommendations proposed included the implementation of a Member mentoring scheme, the development of engaging materials and case studies to clarify the roles of Common Councillors and balance civic responsibilities with careers, and building on the success of candidate engagement events by holding two annually from Autumn 2026. The report stated that these proposals were key to delivering the Corporate Plan 2024-29 outcome of Diverse Engaged Communities, particularly in relation to candidate recruitment and contested wards.

Digital Review Transformation Programme – Introduction and Governance

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Digital Review Transformation Programme, introduced by a joint report from the Interim Executive Director of Communications and Engagement and the Chamberlain. This programme is an audit of the City of London Corporation's external digital estate, encompassing over 60 websites and more than 100 social media accounts. The review aims to assess the digital estate from the perspectives of user experience, governance, technology, and management. The report detailed the programme's purpose, process, and proposed governance structures, which would sit across the Digital Services Committee and the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub-Committee. The review is structured across five phases: Vision and immersion, Audience mapping, Digital audit and functional mapping, Content and governance review, and Strategy and blueprint. The key outputs are expected to include a defined future digital and data architecture, a governance and delivery framework, and a phased roadmap with prioritised recommendations. The report noted that funding for the programme was approved through the Transformation Fund in May 2025. Members were asked to note the report, with recommendations expected to be delivered in June 2026 and owned by either the Digital Services Committee or the Communications and Corporate Affairs Sub Committee, or jointly.

Corporate Affairs Team Update on Political Engagement and Party Conferences

The Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Corporate Affairs Team's activities concerning political engagement and party conferences. The report detailed the team's focus on delivering coordinated political engagement, strategic messaging, and stakeholder activity aligned with major policy developments and institutional priorities. This included proactive correspondence with politicians on key organisational priorities, such as the Vision for Economic Growth Progress Report and the launch of the Interconnectedness of Capital Markets report. The team also provided briefing and support for various bilateral meetings involving the Policy Chairman, the Lady Mayor, and other political figures. The report also covered pan-London engagement, including support for the annual London Government Dinner, and engagement with external partners such as the Labour in the City Network event and the Progress 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner. Looking ahead, priorities for the next financial year included supporting the City Corporation's communications and political engagement across government and opposition parties, delivering political monitoring and engagement over local elections, and continuing to negotiate strategic partnerships. The report also provided an update on the 2025 and 2026 party conference programmes, detailing Member delegations and operational plans.

Media and Digital Update

An update on recent media relations and digital communications activity was presented, summarising how the Communications team has supported the City Corporation's strategic priorities and corporate narrative. The report detailed key earned media coverage, digital engagement performance, and emerging trends, highlighting how insights from this activity are used to refine messaging and improve reach. It also provided an update on the outcome of a comprehensive review and refresh of media monitoring and digital tools. The report highlighted significant media coverage for events such as the Lady Mayor's Show and the Lady Mayor's Banquet, as well as for initiatives like the Housing Investment Programme and the Freedoms of the City of London. Digital performance metrics, including reach, impressions, and engagement, were presented for various campaigns and channels. The report also detailed strategic shifts in the team's approach, including the introduction of a squad approach for major initiatives, a refined channel strategy, and the adoption of new planning tools. The review and refresh of media monitoring and digital tools included the transition to StatusBrew as the primary social media management platform and the selection of Roxhill for media monitoring.

Film Liaison Team Update

The Film Liaison Team provided an update on its activities, outlining its role within the organisation and the challenges and opportunities associated with its operating model. The report detailed the amount of filming and associated income generated, noting an increase in filming activity and income for the City Corporation in 2025, moving it to become the second busiest borough in London for filming. The team's digital and marketing strategy was also discussed, including the scheduled launch of a new City of London Corporation Location Library in June 2026 and the creation of an Instagram account, @filmcitylondon. The report also covered the team's work with Open Spaces and City Gardens teams to support and promote filming, with a significant portion of the total filming income generated from these sites. The team's strategic objectives moving forward were outlined, including increasing efficiency, promoting the 'Film City' brand, establishing competitive fee structures, and building collaborative relationships with City Corporation departments and the filming industry.

Parliamentary Team Update

The Parliamentary Team provided an update on its previous and planned activity in support of the City of London Corporation's political and parliamentary engagement. The report detailed the legislative programme, including updates on key Bills such as the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill, the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Pension Schemes Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill, and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. It also listed Acts that had received Royal Assent, including the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act, the Planning and Infrastructure Act, the Employment Rights Act, and the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act. Government announcements regarding the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Policing White Paper were also discussed, with particular attention to the potential impact on the City of London Police. The report also outlined forward-looking engagement activities, including work on the forthcoming Elections Bill, the APPG for Financial Markets and Services, and support for the City of London Police's advocacy work.

Innovation & Growth Quarterly Report

The Committee received two quarterly reports on the work of the Innovation & Growth department in support of UK-based Financial and Professional Services (FPS). The reports covered the periods of January-March 2026 and October-December 2025. These reports detailed the Corporation's contributions to driving growth through programmes such as the Office for Investment: Financial Services, the Transition Finance Council, and the Mansion House Accord. The Open and Global section highlighted engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, visits to China and Japan, and a visit to the US. The Sustainable Finance section detailed the work of the Transition Finance Council and its publications. The Innovation in Technology section covered initiatives such as the Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce, the Digital Verification Orchestrator Strategy Steering Committee, and the RegTech Strategy Group. The reports also provided updates on the activities of the Corporation's overseas offices in Brussels, India, China, and the US. A high-level review of the 2025/2026 financial year was also included, highlighting key FPS metrics and Innovation and Growth's inputs and outputs.

Any Other Business

The agenda also included provisions for Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent, allowing for the discussion of unforeseen urgent matters.