The Policy and Resources Committee were scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including the Destination City Programme, benefits-in-kind, and ward communications. They were also scheduled to discuss revisions to the terms of reference for the Income Generation Working Party, and the allocation of contingency funds.

Destination City Programme

The committee were scheduled to receive an update on the Destination City Programme, which aims to ensure the Square Mile remains a globally attractive place for businesses, attracts workers back to the office, and is a place in which people want to live, work, learn and explore.

The report pack included a copy of the Destination City Dashboard Test Examples FINAL, which is intended to collate and visualise data to help bring to life the actions and impact of the Destination City Programme. It was noted that in July 2025, the Square Mile had its busiest month for three years, with over 11.5 million visitors and workers.

The committee were asked to note that initial research identified 'meaning', 'wellbeing', and 'upskilling' as the core areas of focus under the Destination City outcome 'an inclusive and welcoming destination which attracts the next generation of talent'.

The committee were also asked to approve that the Destination City Hub consult the Office for National Statistics on their estimates of City-wide worker demographics, and to act as the corporate lead to scope and commission a repeatable survey of City workers to measure sentiment.

Minor amendments to the Destination City Partnership Fund Policy were also up for approval. These included:

• Increasing the maximum individual grant from £10,000 to £20,000.
• Raising the total Destination City Partnership funding available to the same applicant from £20,000 to £30,000 within any two-year period.
• Extending the assessment period from 8 to 12 weeks from receipt of a valid application.

Benefits-in-Kind Reporting and Future Management

The committee were scheduled to consider a report providing an overview of the level of support provided by the City of London Corporation to external organisations through Benefits In Kind (BIK) and grant funding.

The report stated that the City Corporation made 287 BIK with an overall value of £3,739,484 in the 2024/25 Financial Year and 77 Grants totalling £13,024,572. It was noted that there was an increase of 90 BIK recorded in 2024/25 from the year before at an additional monetary cost of £226,869.

The committee were asked to approve the allocation of £45,000, over 2 years from April 2026, from the Policy Initiative Fund for the proposed extension of the system used for funding management. They were also asked to approve the introduction of twice annual reporting to the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee on approved BIK to provide additional scrutiny and oversight to BIK approvals, and to authorise the Head of the Central Funding and Charity Management Team in consultation with the Comptroller to implement new BIK Terms and Conditions with the aim of ensuring proper acknowledgement of City Corporation support by BIK recipients.

The commissioning of a further piece of work to assess the status of organisations currently in receipt of accommodation BIK with a view to standardising the process for agreement and renewal of such arrangements was also up for approval.

Ward Communications

The committee were scheduled to discuss a report providing an update on ward communications to workers and residents following recent resolutions of the Bishopsgate and Dowgate wardmotes, and the conclusion of the two-year suspension period of the previous Ward Newsletters.

The report highlighted the success of the City Belonging Project, which the ward newsletter suspension has part-funded. It set out a cost-effective proposal for future ward communications that strengthens engagement with both residents and workers, avoids duplication, and ensures value for money.

The committee were asked to endorse the reintroduction of the Ward Newsletters as a Ward Annual Report, outside of election years, enclosed with the wardmote letter.

Income Generation Working Party

The committee were scheduled to consider a joint report of the Chamberlain and the Deputy Town Clerk regarding revisions to the terms of reference for the Income Generation Working Party.

The revisions aim to introduce additional strength to the Working Party's role by allowing it to directly address the relevant areas at the City Corporation where income generation opportunities can and should be realised. This will be done through identifying key services to be the focus of deep dives at each meeting. Representatives will be invited to attend to engage in discussion and constructive challenge with Members to ensure their proposals are sufficiently robust and ambitious. An income generation dashboard with clear metrics will be developed and reviewed at each meeting.

Policy and Resources Contingency/Discretionary Funds

The committee were scheduled to receive a report of the Chamberlain concerning the Committees funds.

The report noted the balances remaining for these Funds for 2025/26 and beyond.

The committee were asked to agree to increase the 2025/26 multiyear PIF cap by £31,000 from the 2025/26 Committee Contingency's uncommitted balance should the Benefits In Kind Bid be approved.

Other Matters

The committee were also scheduled to discuss the following matters:

• A report of the Chief Strategy Officer on the 2025 Election Engagement Campaign Review.
• An update on Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
• A joint report of the Executive Director of Innovation & Growth, the Chief Strategy Officer, the Remembrancer and the Executive Director, Environment on Memberships and Subscriptions.
• A report of the Executive Director for Innovation and Growth on support for UK-based financial and professional service - innovation and growth quarterly report.
• A report of the Executive Director of Innovation and Growth on the annual progress update on year 4 of climate action strategy, and update on year 5 quarters 1 and 2.
• A report of the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services on the City of London Academy Trust Growth - Reconsideration of Existing Strategy.