Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Rehana Ameer, John Fletcher, Caroline Haines, Alderman Robert Howard, Deputy Henry Jones, Henrika Priest, Jason Pritchard, Ruby Sayed, Mark Wheatley and Matt Piper.

It was noted that John Fletcher, Deputy Henry Jones and Jason Pritchard were attending the funeral of a local resident.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

Resolved – that the minutes be agreed as an accurate record.

It was noted that Ruby Sayed had been appointed as the Safeguarding Lead Member and Marianne Fredericks had been appointed as the Adult Safeguarding Lead Member. 

Members are invited to receive the presentation delivered by Fusion Lifestyle.

The Committee received a presentation rom Fusion Lifestyle regarding leisure centre and sports development. Members noted that for Fusion Lifestyle total income was down by 19% year on year. Total participation was down by 17% year on year. As for Golden Lane Sport & Fitness participation was down by 17% year on year whilst membership line was down by 6% year on year. This has happened due to the increased competition in the area from the City University and The Gym; this made it difficult to attract new members in a competitive market. Another reason was that sports hall floor affected participation for badminton schools and junior activities such as indoor tennis and gymnastics. This equates to a £12,000 reduction in income based on June to December year on year.

For Golden Lane sport & Fitness their actual income was £674,000 (down by 15%) whilst the reported figure was £649,000 (down by 19%). In terms of participation for Golden lane & Fitness the projected actual attendance was 98,595 compared to the reported figure of 79,933. However, Fusion are doing all they can to improve their performance, for example Fusion have installed 16 new spin bikes in February 2017, they have also launched an app in May 2016, developed the swimming school to reach capacity and also increasing group exercise programme.

Fusion has projected how their improvements in performance will affect the participation and income of Fusion leisure centres. In terms of income, they expect a 1% growth in income year on year, also a growth in membership by 1.5% year on year.  In terms of participation, they expect an increase of 1% in overall participation (80,522), also an increase in target group participation by 2% year on year (50,846)

Fusion have been engaged in  increasing sports development through community engagement by the availability

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted the report of the Director of Community and Childrens Services. In addition it noted the amended and recirculated Appendix A in relation to the City of London Residential Blocks with four of more floors.  

Officers were commended for their hard work and efforts during this difficult period.

In response to a question from a member relating to issues about rubbish being placed outside of estate buildings, and the confusion surrounding whether individuals should stay inside their homes or wait for the fire brigade, members were informed that FAQ sheets had been circulated to all estates and webpages providing key information were also available.

In response to a question from a member as to whether the risk assessments could be place on websites for reassurance, members were informed that this had been actioned.

In response to a question from a member as to how confident officers were that the contractors hired to carry out works within estates were competent, members were informed that the contractors went through a stringent procurement and tendering process. The City of London Corporation is confident in the contractors chosen.

In response to a question from a member as to whether there was a timetable available of when works relating to the installation of sprinklers and appropriate fire doors would be undertaken, members were informed that a meeting is scheduled to take place with the consultants on Monday 17 July. It is anticipated that by September/October, a feasibility study on the sprinkler system should have been conducted which will inform the steps moving forward. In relation to the Fire doors, it was noted that this would cost in the region of £3 - £5 million pounds. It was noted that a systematic approach is being used to complete works and therefore it is difficult to

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Member received the report which compared the 2016/17 revenue outturn for the non-Housing Revenue Account (HRA) services overseen by your Committee with the final agreed budget for the year. The Director of Community and Children’s Services local risk budget was underspent by £16,000 with an overspend on all risks of £17,000.

The Director of Community and Children’s Services is proposing to carry forward

£16,000 of his local risk underspend for identified purposes of this Committee.

These proposals will be considered by the Chamberlain in consultation with the

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee and,

if agreed, will be added to the Director’s budgets for 2017/18.

Resolved – that Member received the report.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee noted the outturn for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in

2016/17 with the final agreed budget for the year.

· The total net transfer from reserves for the year was £1.963m, whereas

the final agreed budget assumed £0.236m, this was mainly a result of a

£2.0m higher than budgeted transfer to the Major Repairs Reserve

(MRR) to fund increased capital expenditure expected in 2017/18.

Revenue Reserves ended the year with a balance of £8.139m.

· The Major Repairs Reserve ended the year with a balance of £6.497m,

£2.712 more than expected, mainly due to the increased transfer from

the Revenue reserves of £2.0m and £0.7m lower capital expenditure.

Members were informed that a bid had been made to Central Government to helpf fund building new housing. The application had included  all schemes sufficiently far along to be reasonably certain of delivery.. As a result, the City of London Corporation were successful in winning £14.6 million which will be put towards eight schemes.

Resolved – that Members received the report.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The City of London Corporation is likely to incur increased costs in fulfilling its

statutory duty to assist some homeless households. It is also experiencing a

significantly increased level and complexity of rough sleeping, to which its current

level of service is unable to fully respond.

The paper sets out the forecast increase in the cost of meeting these demands and

a range of additional specialist services to tackle them (budgeted at £427,000). The

Corporation seeks Members’ approval for this budget.

It was pointed out to members that the recommendation for 2017/18should read £195.5k.

In response to a question from a member as to whether there were targeted accommodation for women only, members were informed that the resources will be used to tailor the services required.

Resolved that Members approve the increase in 2017/18 of £173,500 and a permanent increase in the baseline budget of £427,000 in subsequent years.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted that the Aldgate Square development is a major public realm project, managed by the Department of Built Environment. A Pavilion is included in the project, from which a café will operate. In 2015 Members agreed that the Pavilion should be operated by a social enterprise, commissioned by Community and Children’s Services. City Surveyors have managed the construction of the Pavilion. In September 2015 Community and Children’s Services Committee awarded the contract to operate the Pavilion to Kahaila.

The Pavilion was originally scheduled to open in Autumn 2016. However in October

2016 Community and Children’s Services Committee were informed of significant

delays in the completion of the construction of the Pavilion, until Autumn 2017, and

agreed to offer a one year rental contract to Kahaila in temporary premises at 6

Harrow Place to ensure a service was being provided in the local area.

In January 2017 Community and Children’s Service Committee were informed that

the anticipated completion date for both the Pavilion and the Square was the end of

2017.

In September and October 2016 Streets and Walkways Sub Committee agreed a

split reporting structure where the City Surveyor reported on the specifics of the

Pavilion and the Director of Built Environment reported on the overall project.

There are two reports attached as appendices to this summary that describe the

current overall construction position with the Pavilion and the Square. The first

((Aldgate (Portsoken) Pavilion)) report informs Streets and Walkways Sub

Committee and Project Sub on the detail of the delays to the Pavilion and asks for

their agreement to the additional costs incurred. As these costs can be found from

the overall project the second (Aldgate Highway Changes and Public Realm

Enhancement) report informs the sub committees that the budget to cover the

additional costs can

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members noted that the City of London Corporation confirmed its commitment to delivering 100 apprenticeships across its departments in 2017/18. This level will be maintained each year. This report provides an update on progress to meet that commitment. Following a departmental internal skills audit which took place during autumn 2016, COLC managers identified their apprenticeship needs. The recruitment of the first of four annual cohorts was completed in April/May 2017. The response to the marketing and promotional campaign has exceeded our expectations. The service received approximately 800 applicants for a total of 39 apprenticeships. Of these, 29 positions have been filled in the first cohort and 10 positions have been extended into the second cohort.

The first cohort of new apprentices attended an induction session at Guildhall in

June 2017. The marketing campaign for the second cohort of 43 apprentices will

focus strongly on school leavers in summer 2017. The campaign is currently

underway.

Resolved – that the report be received.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Member received the City of London Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and

Action Plan for information. The Strategy sets out the City of London Health and Wellbeing Board’s commitment to improving the health of City residents, workers and rough sleepers against five key priorities. These are:

· Priority 1: Good mental health for all

· Priority 2: A healthy urban environment

· Priority 3: Effective health and social care integration

· Priority 4: Children have the best start in life

· Priority 5: Promoting healthy behaviours.

Resolved – that Members approved the Action Plan.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Education Charity Sub (Education

Board) Committee has reviewed the eligibility criteria for the City Educational Trust

Fund (Charity Number 290840) and the City of London Corporation Combined

Education Charity (Charity Number 312836) (the Charities) and recommends the revised eligibility criteria for the two Charities attached at Appendices 1 and 2 for consideration and approval. The new eligibility criteria for the Charities aim to streamline the assessment process, reduce costs of charity administration and maximise expenditure of funds to further the Charities? aims.

Resolved – that Members of the Community & Children’s Services Committee:

·         Consider the amended eligibility criteria for the Charities.

Members of the Education Board are asked to:

·          Approve the amended eligibility criteria for the Charities; and

·          Approve the dates for the next deadline of the Education & Employment theme of the Central Grants Programme.

There were no questions.

Middlesex Street Development Working Group

Members received a paper which sets out the history of the working group. The recommendations were agreed. Further, it was noted that, in addition to the ward members, Randall Anderson, Prem Goyal, and Peter Bennett would sit as members on the group.

Resolved that:-

Members agreed to rename the group the Middlesex Street Development Working Group.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

Resolved – that the minute be agreed as an accurate record.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Resolved that:-

(a)  Members agreed with the proposed use of the community centre which will primarily benefit the residents of Golders Lane estate.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Resolved that:-

(a)  Members approved to proceed with Option 1. However, it was determined that the decision on possible sale of one or more units would be deferred.

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and the City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Disturbance on Barbican Estate

A member raised concern as to complaints received about anti-social behaviour and defection in the gardens on the Barbican Estate which is causing residents distress. It was noted that there are no patrols on the Estate. The member asked whether patrols could be extended around Bretton House. In addition, it was asked whether further discussions could take place relating to the introduction of CCTV within the area.

The member was informed that as the disturbance related to the Barbican Estate the matter should be referred to the Barbican Residential Committee for consideration.

Provision of Additional Primary School Spaces and Social Housing on the Former Richard Cloudesley School Site, Golden Lane, EC1

Members received the additional report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services and City Surveyor.

Members raised, in depth a number of queries and concerns regarding the width and location of the staircase in the proposed building. In response to a question from a member regarding the width staircase, location and whether feedback had been received from Islington Council  as to fire risk assessments, members were informed that the building had been fire assessed and the building was being engineered in a different way to that of Grenfell. Members were advised that sprinklers would be installed and the overall mass and sizing of the building had been assessed. As a result, the number of flats had been reduced to 66 self-contained flats.

Members specifically asked for assurances on fire and risk assessments which had been carried out.

In response to a question from a member regarding the difference between the ‘Abnormals’ figure for  Gateway 4 and Option 3/Gateway 4C and, why the figure had almost doubled in amount, members were informed that the base cost of building works always stay the same. However, any other costs above the baseline cost would always be recorded under ‘Abnormals’ which is why the figure appears to have doubled.

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