The Court of Common Council is scheduled to meet to discuss investment in social housing, award a contract for a sexual health programme, and consult on modifications to the City Plan 2040. They will also be asked to approve the annual on-street parking accounts, and to formally thank the late Lord Mayor.

Investment in Social Housing Stock

The Court of Common Council will be asked to consider a report regarding investment in the City of London Corporation's housing stock. The report states that the current Housing Revenue Account (HRA) lacks the funds to bring the existing housing stock up to a good standard over the next 10 years.

The report will state that the Policy and Resources Committee, with the support of the Finance Committee, recommends allocating up to £151.77m of City Fund capital funds (including optimism bias) over the next 10 years to support the major works renovation programme.

The report explains that the HRA is a ring-fenced budget, mandated by the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act, for managing social housing stock. The City Corporation has approximately 3,000 units in its HRA, of which 1,922 are rented homes, distributed across multiple estates in boroughs including Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Islington, Lewisham, Lambeth, Hackney, as well as the City of London.

According to the report, the lack of planned maintenance over the past 60 years, rising building costs, and new health and safety requirements have contributed to the unaffordability of major repairs within the HRA. Failure to complete these repairs could result in the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) deeming the City Corporation unfit to manage the housing stock.

The report states that the City Corporation has been delaying and reprioritising projects in response to these pressures. A Housing Action Plan has been developed with progress monitored monthly by senior leaders and independent experts, and a 100% stock condition survey is being carried out.

The report notes that expert legal advice has been sought on the use of City Fund capital to fund housing capital works, concluding that it is permissible, provided the City Corporation follows its Financial Regulations and acts in accordance with proper practices which include the CIPFA Code of Practice¹.

The report outlines a costed programme of works including decent home upgrades, roof works, decarbonisation, lighting and accessibility, lift refurbishment, internal redecoration and communal flooring, and electrical upgrades.

The report states that the Policy and Resources and Finance Committees were presented with a range of funding sources, and that the Chamberlain informed the committees that all available options, including the potential use of the City's Estate, had been thoroughly evaluated.

Pan London Sexual Health Programme eService (SHL.UK)

The Court of Common Council will be asked to consider a proposal to award a five-year contract, with the option to extend for up to a further 48 months, for the Pan London Sexual Health Programme eService (SHL.UK). The estimated contract value is £235 million over 9 years, with annual costs rising from £22 million to £29 million.

The report states that the existing SHL.UK service is a public health success, providing a discreet, convenient, and cost-effective online platform. The existing service contract expires in August 2026, necessitating a second iteration of SHL.UK.

The report explains that the City of London Corporation acts as the Lead Authority and accountable body for the procurement of a new Pan-London Sexual Health E-services contract and the host of the programme management service under an inter-authority agreement, commissioning open access sexual health services across London.

The report notes that the City of London Corporation only pays for the use of the service by its own residents, and that the service is funded by The Public Health Grant.

The report outlines that in 2017, 30 London local health authorities agreed to collaborate to deliver these sexual health services under an Inter-Authority Agreement (IAA), with The City of London Corporation appointed as the Lead Authority.

The current E-Service is provided by Preventx Ltd, who sub-contract with Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust and Lloyds Online Doctor for clinical leadership, patient care and the supply of medical treatments. It provides online assessment for sexual health testing services by post with remote treatment for chlamydia, and contraception to residents of 16 authorities.

The report states that the E-Service has performed well against key performance indicators, with consistently positive service user feedback.

The report notes that the 30 participating Authorities have recommended that the current E-Services contract is re-procured and goes live on 15 August 2026, and that tender documentation was published in June 2025. The tender process was undertaken via The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 – Competitive Process and was launched on 4th July 2025, with three tender submissions received.

The tender evaluation panel consisted of 19 people, including the Chair of the London Sexual Health Programme's Strategic Board, Independent Clinical Advisors, Directors of Public Health, Public Health Consultants, Assistant Directors, and Service Users.

The report details the technical and commercial evaluation process, with Bidder A achieving the highest total score. The bidders' service costs for the contract duration, including optional extensions, were also evaluated.

The report notes that the Finance Committee considered two options: awarding the contract to Bidder A or not awarding the eService contract and reverting to a clinic-only model. The committee recommended awarding a five-year contract to Bidder A, with the option to extend for up to a further 48 months.

The report states that the SHL.UK E-Service has a 99% service user satisfaction rate, and that the current contract has been awarded 'Environmental Sustainability Project of the Year' at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2025 for the recycling and reuse of testing equipment.

City Plan 2040

The Court of Common Council will be asked to consider proposals relating to a period of consultation on Main and Additional Modifications to the City Plan 2040.

The report explains that the City Plan 2040 is a new local plan setting the policies and strategic priorities that will guide the growth of the Square Mile up to 2040. The City Plan was submitted for independent examination on 29 August 2024, and formal examination hearings have now concluded.

The report notes that the Planning Inspectors have prepared a list of proposed Main and Additional Modifications to the plan, with the Main Modifications reflecting changes deemed necessary to make the plan 'sound'. These amendments require formal consultation for a period of six weeks.

The report states that the dedicated examination page includes all information, submissions and correspondence relating to the City Plan examination, and that the formal hearings concluded on 12 June 2025.

The report explains that the role of the appointed Planning Inspectors is to determine whether the City Plan is 'sound' and 'legally compliant', and that the Inspectors have agreed the lists of Main and Additional Modifications, totalling 178 changes to the City Plan, of which 68 are considered to relate to soundness.

The report highlights that many of the changes relate to the heritage and tall buildings chapter, including clarifications on preserving Conservation Areas², using the St Paul's Setting Study in assessments, and changes to the contours at the southeastern corner of the City Cluster and to include a new tall building site at Broadgate.

The report notes that one exception is a change proposed within Statements of Common Ground with Historic England and the Bevis Marks Synagogue. The Inspectors have considered this change and have informed the City Corporation that this is not required for soundness reasons as the identified heritage assets already have legislative and policy protection.

The report lists other notable Main Modifications, including the articulation of a 'Vision' for the City Plan, additional information relating to expected housing completions, inclusion of the minimum office requirement in GIA³, further explanation of cultural contributions from developments of different scales, infrastructure provider engagement through the development process, and exceptional circumstances where lower long-stay on-site cycle provision may be acceptable.

The report states that a Sustainability Appraisal of the Regulation 19 City Plan was undertaken as part of the preparation process, and that the Main Modifications have also been subject to additional Sustainability Appraisal screening and assessment to determine whether they have any significant or cumulative effects.

The report notes that the City Plan is also accompanied by a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), which assessed the impact of policies in the City Plan on the identified European sites at Epping Forest, Lee Valley, Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common.

The report states that following approval, the Main and Additional Modifications will be consulted upon for 6 weeks, and that the City Plan 2040 will be brought back to all committees in Summer 2026 to seek approval for adoption.

Annual On-Street Parking Accounts 2024/25

The Court of Common Council will be asked to consider the annual On-Street Parking Accounts and approve submission to the Mayor London.

The report states that the surplus arising from on-street parking activities in 2024/25 was £9.04m, and that a total of £8.488m was applied in 2024/25 to fund approved projects. The surplus remaining on the On-Street Parking Reserve (OSPR) at 31st March 2025 was £60.563m, which will be wholly allocated towards the funding of various highway improvements and other projects over the medium term.

The report explains that Section 55(3A) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 requires the City of London to report to the Mayor for London on action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in their On-Street Parking Account for a particular financial year.

The report details how any surplus not applied in the financial year may be applied, including meeting costs incurred in the provision or operation of public passenger transport services, highway or road improvement projects, maintenance of roads, and for an environmental improvement .

The report summarises the overall financial position for the On-Street Parking Reserve in 2024/25, and lists the total expenditure of £8.488m in 2024/25 financed from the On-Street Parking Reserve, covering approved projects such as Highway Resurfacing, Maintenance & Enhancements, Street Cleansing contract, London Wall Car Park Waterproofing and Repairs, Bank Junction Improvements, and Pedestrian Priority Programme.

The report notes that total expenditure of some £112.7m is planned over the medium term financial plan from 2025/26 until 2029/30, and that the total programme covers numerous major capital schemes.

The report states that following Member requests to allocate On-Street Parking surplus monies, a Priorities Board considers all new eligible bids for surplus funds before recommending successful bids to Members of Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee.

Vote of Thanks to the Late Lord Mayor

The Court will be asked to pass the Vote of Thanks to the Late Lord Mayor, read informally at the October meeting of the Court, to the Late Lord Mayor.

The motion expresses gratitude and appreciation to Alderman Alastair John Naisbitt King DL for his service as Lord Mayor of the City of London, highlighting his Mayoral theme, 'Growth Unleashed', and his work to transform the UK's pension investment culture.

The motion also recognises Alderman Alastair John Naisbitt King DL's international visits, his support for investment into Scotland, and his support for the Defence sector and Armed Forces.

The motion expresses gratitude to Florence, the Lady Mayoress, for her support, and to Corinne Lee, who has often acted as Representative Lady Mayoress during the year.

Other Matters

The Court will also consider:

• A circulated list of applications for the Freedom of the City.
• The Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028 and the 2024/25 Corporate Parenting Annual Report. The Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025-2028 outlines a refreshed vision, values, strategic priorities, and approach to embedding corporate parenting responsibilities across all departments and services. The 2024/25 Corporate Parenting Annual Report provides an overview of developments and achievements.
• A report setting out measures introduced into Parliament which may have an effect on the services provided by the City Corporation, including the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and The Charities Act 2022 (Commencement No. 4 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2025.
• The outcome of ballots taken at the last Court, including the election of Philip Woodhouse as Chief Commoner 2026 / 27, and the election of eight members to the Housing Governance Working Party: Matthew Bell, Nick Bensted-Smith, Deputy John Fletcher, Mercy Haggerty, Adam Hogg, Jacqui Webster, Mark Wheatley, and Ceri Wilkins.
• Motions by Deputy Caroline Haines, Deputy Paul Martinelli and Deputy Dawn Wright.