Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from David Bradshaw, Revd Dr Martin Dudley, Alderman David Graves, Deputy Bill Fraser, Brian Mooney and Patrick Streeter.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

This agenda item was not available at the time of publishing and will be circulated separately.

The Order of the Court of Common Council, appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference was received.

To elect a Chairman for the ensuing year in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 29.  A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Marianne Fredericks, Christopher  Hayward and Patrick Streeter declared their willingness to serve if elected.

A ballot having been taken, votes were cast as follows:-

Marianne Fredericks                                   -           13 votes

Christopher Hayward                                  -           14 votes

Patrick Streeter                                             -           0 votes

RESOLVED – That Christopher Hayward be elected Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29 for the year ensuing.

On being elected, the Chairman thanked the Committee for its support.

The Chairman welcomed new Members Alderman David Graves, Alderman Peter Hewitt, Alderman Robert Howard, Alderman Vincent Keaveny and Henry Colthurst to the Committee.  He also thanked Dennis Cotgrove, Alderman Peter Estlin, Alderman Timothy Hailes and Alderman William Russell who were stepping down for their contribution to the Committee.

George Gillon spoke in appreciation of the immediate past Chairman’s contribution to the work of the committee during his Chairmanship and a vote of thanks was moved, seconded and agreed.

The Chairman thanked the immediate past Deputy Chairman for her contribution to the work of the Committee.

The Chairman also welcomed the Chief Commoner to the meeting.

To elect a Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year in accordance with Standing order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30.  A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Randall Anderson and Deputy Alastair Moss declared their willingness to serve if elected.

A ballot having been taken, votes were cast as follows:-

Randall Anderson                                       -           3 votes

Deputy Alaistair Moss                                 -           24 votes

RESOLVED – That Alastair Moss be elected Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30 for the year ensuing.

On being elected the Deputy Chairman thanked the Committee.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to the appointment of Sub Committees for the ensuring year (2016/2017).

RESOLVED – That,

a)             the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee Terms of Reference be approved;

b)            the following memberships be agreed:-

Streets and Walkways Sub Committee

Chairman of the Grand Committee – Chris Hayward

Deputy Chairman of the Grand Committee – Deputy Alistair Moss

Randall Anderson

Emma Edhem

Marianne Fredericks

Deputy Brian Harris

Gregory Jones

Graham Packham

Tom Sleigh

Together with three ex-officio Members representing the Finance, Police and Open Spaces & City Gardens Committees.

Local Plans Sub Committee and Local Plan Working Party

Chairman of the Grand Committee – Chris Hayward

Deputy Chairman of the Grand Committee – Deputy Alistair Moss

Randall Anderson

Henry Colthurst

Marianne Fredericks

Paul Martinelli

Graham Packham

Together with an ex-officio Member representing the Policy and Resources Committee.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 5 April 2016.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2016 be approved subject to the inclusion of the following paragraph:

8.1       Technical Consultation on the Implementation of Planning Changes

Members expressed strong reservations concerning several proposals in the draft bill particularly concerning the possible introduction of competition in processing planning applications.

Officers were asked to not confine their feedback to the areas covered by the consultation questions, and also to liaise with other London LAs when responding as a means of increasing the impact of our input.

Matters Arising

6.1 – 22 Bishopsgate

The Comptroller reported that a letter before court action had been received and the Committee would be kept updated.

10 - Questions

In response to a question raised at the last meeting in relation to air polution and the need to set up a meeting with TfL, officers advised that this would be looked into and reported to the next meeting.

To receive the minutes of the Streets and walkways Sub Committee meeting held on 4 April 2016.

RESOLVED - That the draft minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee meeting held on 4 April 2016 be received.

A Member sought clarification on the role of the Grand Committee in relation to the minutes and was advised that the Grand Committee is asked to ‘receive’ the minutes of the Sub-Committee. However in respect of items delegated to the Sub-Committee the Grand Committee could ask for a matter to be referred up with the Sub-Committee’s recommendation.

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 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 provided details of valid planning applications received by the department since the last meeting.

In relation to the two applications concerning change of use for telephone boxes, it was agreed that both applications should come to the Committee for decision.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment updating  on how the ATTRO order would operate and clarifying  the ATTRO processes between the City Corporation, the City of London Police and Transport for London (TfL) as requested by Members.

The Committee was advised that since January 2016, further meetings and workshops had been held between the City of London Police and TfL, resulting in the production of a joint Protocol, and TfL agreeing to include its roads in the City for which it was the Highway Authority.

The proposed Protocol provided guidance on the processes between the three parties and any other agency that would need to be involved, and sought to ensure that the ATTRO would be used in a proportionate and appropriate manner.

In response to questions the Assistant Director (City Transportation) gave assurance that the appropriate checks and balances were in place, and officers would be appropriately trained. There would also be an annual review undertaken and reported to the Committee.

RESOLVED  - That

a)            The  commencement of the statutory process for making of the proposed  ATTRO, subject to the applicable statutory processes, be approved;

b)            The proposed draft Protocol in Appendix 1 be approved;

c)            The Director of the Built Environment or a delegated officer be authorised to carry out consultation and publication of Notice of the proposal to make the ATTRO;

d)            The outcome of the statutory notice procedures and consultation responses will  be reported to the Planning and Transportation and Policy and Resources Committees, for those Committees to determine whether or not to proceed with the ATTRO and/or other  next steps;

e)           The Comptroller and City Solicitor or a delegated officer be authorised to enter into any necessary agreements under Section 101 of the Local Government Act

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment advising Members that the Department of the Built Environment was currently undertaking three-dimensional (3D) computer modelling of the City’s eastern cluster to understand better the effect of existing planning policies for that area and its relationship to its environs and other parts of the City. 

Members noted that the 3D computer modelling work was still in its early stages and was not intended to make new policy, but provide insights upon the effect of current planning policy.  This work would provide confidence that the cluster could evolve while taking full account of key protected views and the wider setting of the Tower of London World Heritage Site. 

RESOLVED - To note that the City is undertaking 3D digital modelling of the eastern cluster, and that this is being complemented by other modelling relating to the challenges and opportunities arising from this tall building cluster.  This work will ensure that the City’s planning policies provide an appropriate context for and limits to change in the eastern cluster and in the wider setting of the Tower of London. 

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment advising of a significant new research report on small and medium enterprises in the City that was launched at the recent property Mipim conference.  The report was jointly commissioned by the City Corporation and the City Property Association. 

The Committee noted that the research examined the benefits that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) gained from being based in the City and their perceptions of its offer as a location.  It also looked at some of the challenges arising from pressures on space, with a current vacancy rate of 3.9%, the lowest since 2001.

Members expressed concern regarding the lack of affordable premises available to SMEs and suggested that more should be done to protect more affordable secondary office space.

RESOLVED – To note the findings of the research report ‘Clusters and Connectivity: The City as a Place for SMEs’ and its implications for planning policy in the City. 

Report of the City Surveyor – to be tabled.

The Committee received a tabled report in relation to the public lifts service.

It was proposed and seconded that in addition to a report to each Committee, to be circulated with the agenda and not tabled, that an annual report also be produced so the service could be monitored and recurring issues identified.

RESOLVED - That in addition to a report to each Committee, to be circulated with the agenda and not tabled, that an annual report also be produced so the service could be monitored and recurring issues identified.

Responsibility for Public Statues

A Member reported that the plaque attached to the statue of ‘The Gardener’ was missing and was advised that this would be looked into by the City Surveyor.

North-South Cycle Superhighway – Proposed Temporary Experimental Traffic Orders – Tudor Street

In response to a question concerning the decision taken at the Court of Common Council on 21 April 2016 to reject the recommendation of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee in relation to the closure of Tudor Street, the Assistant Director (Local Transportation) advised that it was down to Transport for London to make a revised application.

It was proposed and seconded that any future application should go to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee with a referral to the Planning and Transportation Committee.

RESOLVED – That any futher recommendation of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee in relation to the North-South Cycle Superhighway be referred to the Planning and Transportation Committee for decision.

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2016.

RESOLVED - That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2016 be agreed.

RESOLVED – To note any non-public questions.

There were no non-public items of urgent business.