Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Peter Dunphy, Sophie Anne Fernandes, Deputy Bill Fraser, Alderman Timothy Hailes, Christopher Hayward, Deputy Henry Jones, Deputy Alastair Moss, Judith Pleasance, Angela Starling and Deputy James Thompson

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2015 be approved.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director in respect of the development and advertisement applications dealt with under delegated authority.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director which provides details of valid planning applications received by the department since last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Proposal: Erection of a building to comprise office (Use Class B1 use) and retail (Classes A1 - A3 use) floorspace with associated parking, servicing and plant and retained bank (Class A2) at basement, ground floor and first floor (total GEA 18,457sq.m, height 56.28m AOD). This is a revision (received on 21st September 2015) to the 2011 scheme (11/00231/FULMAJ) proposing a reduction in building volume by stepping back the rear facade onto South Place Mews at 7th to 10th floor levels.

Registered Plan No.: 11/00231/FULMAJ

The Chief Planning Officer detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

The Committee discussed the 2011 application which was never granted permission because a S106 agreement was not signed.  The application being considered at this meeting was therefore an amended version of that considered in 2011.

Upon being put to the vote the application was approved.

Vote: 13 in favour, 1 against and 4 abstentions.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to determine the above application for the above proposal in accordance with the details set out in the attached schedule subject to the following –

-       planning obligations and other agreements being entered into under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980 in respect of those matters set out in the report, the decision notice not to be issued until the Section 106 obligations have been executed;

b)    Officers be instructed to negotiate and execute obligations in respect of those matters set out in "Planning Obligations" under Section 106 and any necessary agreements under Section 278 of the Highway Act 1980.

Proposal:Use of the Guildhall Yard for up to 15 markets and 40 events not ancillary to the function of the Corporation of London per year.

Registered Plan No.: 15/00748/FULLR3

The Chief Planning Officer detailed site and surrounding information to Members.

Upon being put to the vote the application was approved.

Vote: 18 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED - That planning permission be granted in accordance with details set out in the schedule.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding the City of London Air Quality Strategy 2015 – 2020.

Some Members were concerned with the level of air pollution around Smithfield Market.  The Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that air quality monitors had been installed in the area.  The results from air quality monitors throughout the City of London would be included in future air quality update reports.

A Member commented on the need to encourage pedestrianisation and utilise the City of London Corporation’s connections with London Boroughs to improve air quality London wide.  He added that the reduction of air pollution in the City would not push the problem towards our neighbours as they could also pedestrianise until the pollution was dispatched further afield.

In response to a question, Members were informed that Fixed Penalty Notices could be issued to drivers who leave engines idling when parked.  However, no local authority has been able to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice for this offence to date because a penalty would only be issued if a driver refused to turn an engine off when asked, which had not happened.  Members noted that a considerable amount of work is being done to deter drivers from leaving their engines running.

The Director of the Built Environment confirmed that provision of electric charging sockets was being considered in consultation with Transport for London.

A further briefing on Air Quality was suggested by a Member.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of Director of the Built Environment concerning the Anti- Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO).

The Detective Superintendent, City of London Police advised Members that these types of orders had previously been used for events such as Party Political conferences; however, this was the first contingent ATTRO and not something that would be used lightly.

RESOLVED – That,

a)the proposal for the City ATTRO be approved in principle, subject to the applicable statutory processes;

b)the Director of the Built Environment or her delegated officer be authorised to carry out consultation and publication of Notice of the proposal to make the City ATTRO;

c)    the Director of the Built Environment or her delegated officer be authorised to evaluate all responses to the consultation and Notice and, if there were no unresolved objections, to determine whether or not to proceed to make the City ATTRO and carry out all associated statutory processes;

d)in the event of there being unresolved objections to the proposal to make the City ATTRO, these be reported to the Planning and Transportation Committee, for that Committee to determine the next step;

e)authority be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to agree the proposed Protocol;

f)     in the event of  TfL agreeing to their roads in the City being included in the City ATTRO, and/or any neighbouring traffic authorities agreeing to their boundary roads with the City being included in the City ATTRO, (a) the Comptroller and City Solicitor or his delegated officer be authorised to enter into any necessary agreements under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 (or other joint working agreements) with TfL and/or neighbouring traffic authorities; and  (b) the Director of the Built Environment or her delegated officer be

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the City Freight Strategy.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the following objective be approved as the basis of the City’s interim  freight strategy - ‘To reduce the number of freight and delivery vehicles on the City’s streets, particularly at peak times, whilst still allowing the City to flourish’;

b)    the 4Rs approach (Reduce, Re-time, Re-route and Re-mode) be adopted as the basis for reducing the impact of freight on the City;

c)    officers be authorised to proceed with the development and implementation of the policy and strategy measures described in this report and the appended action plan in respect of consolidation, delivery and servicing plans, re-timing initiatives and stakeholder engagement; and

d)    the interim strategy be reviewed when TfL’s London-wide freight strategy is published.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Build Environment regarding Body Worn Cameras (Bodycams) in relation to Civil Enforcement Officers (Parking).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the Local Development Scheme 2015.

RESOLVED – That

a)    the updated Local Development Scheme be approve for publication; and

b)    the updated Local Development Scheme be effective from 15 December 2015.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Response to the Mayor’s Public Consultation on the Draft Central Activities Zone Supplementary Planning Guidance.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the draft SPG and its overall approach to supporting the City as a strategically important, globally orientated financial and business services centre be approved; and

b)    the response contained in this report and the more detailed comments set out in Appendix 1 as the City Corporation’s formal response to the Mayor of London’s draft Central Activities Zone Supplementary Planning Guidance be approved.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Built Environments which provided an update on Office to Residential Permitted Development Rights and City of London Exemption.

RESOLVED – That the proposed changes to national permitted development rights outlined in the report and the need for the City Corporation to seek a local article 4 direction applicable in the City to remove the national permitted development right by May 2019 be noted.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out the progress made during quarter 2 (July – September) against the 2015-2018 Business Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor which sought approval to declare an area of City Fund land at the junction of Wood Street and Goldsmith Street, EC2 to be surplus to requirements.

RESOLVED – That an area of City Fund land situated at the junction of Wood Street, EC2 and Goldsmith Street, EC2 and measuring 20 ft² (1.85 m²) be declared surplus to requirements to enable its disposal upon terms to be subject to the approval of the Property Investment Board.

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer regarding the Housing and Planning Bill.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Joint report of the Chamberlain, Director of the Built Environment and Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries.

The Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain, Director of the Built Environment and the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries regarding the revenue and capital budgets for 2016/2016.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the latest 2015/16 revenue budget be noted;

b)    the provisional 2016/17 revenue budget be approved for submission to the Finance Committee;

c)    the draft capital budget be approved; and

d)    the Chamberlain be authorised to revise these budgets for changes to the Additional Works Programme and in respect of recharges.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain and City Surveyor regarding the Operation Property Review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

East-West Superhighway – A Member raised concern regarding the East-West superhighway and requested that officers discuss with Transport for London the need to improve access from Upper and Lower Thames Street to ensure the needs of residents.  It was agreed to submit a report to the Committee which provided guidance on what options were available to progress the matter.

Section 106 Agreements – It was agreed to report back to the Committee on agreements in order to prevent any issues or delays.

There were no items of urgent business.

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.

RESOLVED - 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.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Highway Maintenance Contract rate.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which updated on the arrears of invoiced income as at 30^th September 2015.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and the Director of Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor and the Director of the Built Environment regarding the provision of Life Care Plans for each Multi Storey Car Park.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.