The Corporate Services Committee meeting scheduled for 15 April 2026 was set to discuss a range of important operational and strategic matters. Key among these was the proposed People & HR Business Plan for 2026-29, alongside reviews of the City Surveyor's Department's operating model and Guildhall security. The meeting also included updates on health and safety, internal audits, and the progress of various programmes.

Draft People & HR Business Plan 2026-29

A significant item on the agenda was the consideration of the draft People & HR Business Plan for 2026-29. This three-year plan outlines the strategic direction for the People & HR function, aiming to support the delivery of the City of London Corporation's People Strategy and Corporate Plan 2024-29. The plan details key priorities, workstreams, and major projects, focusing on transforming the HR function to become a modern, digital-first service. It aligns with the Corporate Plan's outcomes and the five themes of the People Strategy: My Contribution, My Reward; My Wellbeing and Belonging; Trustworthy Leadership; My Talent and Development; and Building Brilliant Basics. The report indicated that the plan had been developed within agreed departmental budgets and did not require additional funding.

The plan details several key objectives and priority workstreams, including:

• My Contribution, My Reward: Focusing on implementing a modernised pay and grading framework through Ambition 25 and reviewing the benefits and total rewards package.
• My Wellbeing and Belonging: Aiming to strengthen organisational wellbeing through enhanced Occupational Health provision, embedding a unified values and behaviours framework, and using staff surveys to measure employee experience.
• Trustworthy Leadership: Concentrating on building consistent, accountable, and inclusive management capability through structured development programmes and creating an integrated leadership development framework.
• My Talent and Development: Establishing a transparent performance management system, building a talent pipeline through succession planning, and strengthening workforce planning and reporting.
• Building Brilliant Basics: Continuing the delivery and embedding of SAP modules through Programme SAPphire, establishing an integrated HR operating model, and ensuring the ethical adoption of AI in HR processes.

The report also outlined how success would be measured, with specific outcome-focused performance measures for each priority workstream, and provided a timeline planner for key activities and milestones.

City Surveyor's Department - Corporate Property Group: Operating Model Review

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the City Surveyor regarding a review of the operating model for the Corporate Property Group. This item was designated For Decision, indicating that a decision on the proposed changes was anticipated.

Guildhall Security: Strategic Transformation to Support Sustainable Service Delivery

Another item for decision was a report from the City Surveyor concerning the strategic transformation of Guildhall security. The aim of this transformation is to support sustainable service delivery, suggesting a review of current security operations and potential future strategies.

Chief Information Security Officer

The committee was also set to review a report from the Chamberlain concerning the role of the Chief Information Security Officer. This item, also marked For Decision, suggests that the committee would be making a determination related to this position.

Health & Safety Update

A report on Health & Safety was scheduled for information. This update, from the Deputy Town Clerk, would likely provide an overview of current health and safety performance, initiatives, and any emerging issues.

Internal Audit Insight Reports

The committee was to receive internal audit insight reports on two key areas: Corporate Health and Safety, and the Corporate Code of Conduct. These reports, from the Group Chief Internal Auditor, would provide assurance on the effectiveness of controls and compliance in these critical areas.

Programme Sapphire - SuccessFactors

A presentation from the Chamberlain was scheduled regarding Programme Sapphire - SuccessFactors. This programme likely relates to the implementation or ongoing management of HR and payroll systems, with SuccessFactors being a known Human Capital Management software suite. This item was for information.

Action Tracker

The committee was to receive an update on the Action Tracker, a report from the Town Clerk. This document typically details the progress of actions agreed at previous meetings, allowing for ongoing monitoring and accountability. This item was for information.

Forward Plan

A report from the Chief People Officer and Executive Director of HR concerning the Forward Plan was also on the agenda for information. This plan likely outlines future strategic priorities and upcoming items for the committee's consideration.

Exclusion of the Public

A motion was proposed to exclude the public from the meeting for certain items. This is a standard procedure when discussions are expected to involve the disclosure of exempt information, as defined under the Local Government Act 1972. This motion was also For Decision.

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies, declarations of interest, and the consideration of minutes from previous meetings. Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee and any other urgent business that the Chair considered appropriate were also scheduled.