Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Sophie Anne Fernandes, George Gillon, Graham Harrower, Alderman Peter Hewitt, Brian Mooney, James de Sausmarez, Tom Sleigh and Michael Welbank.

The Deputy Chairman declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 – Valid Applications List for Committee (16/00590/FULL Cripplegate – Bernard Morgan House) by virtue of having been asked to give advice on the issue.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 26 July 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

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.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

In response to a question concerning planning notices in respect of Applications 16/00773 and 16/00774and 16/00768 and 16/00770 in relation to the Turret in the Barbican, the Chief Planning Officer advised that if these had been removed prior to the end of the period these would be displayed  again, and that people were aware as  there had been a substantial number of objections already received.

In response to a question concerning the type of application that was subject to decision by the Secretary of State, the Chief Planning Officer advised that listed building consent applications would be determined by him where relevant bodies raised objection.

The Committee received a report concerning the development of a Moorgate Enhancement Strategy and for the Moorgate area in order to provide a framework for future public realm enhancements and address the needs of the changing area. 

RESOLVED  - That Officers be authorised to undertake the production of a Moorgate Area Enhancement Strategy at a total estimated cost of £80,000, funded from the 2016/17 TfL Local Implementation Plan allocation (£40,000) and the River Plate House (7-11 Finsbury Circus) Section 106 Agreement (£40,000).

The Committee received a report detailing the outcome of the public consultation concerning the City of London Anti-Terrorism Traffic Order.

The Committee noted that the issues raised in the two responses received had now been addressed and TfL had provided authorisation to proceed to make the Order.

RESOLVED - That

(1)          The making of the ATTRO be authorised; and

(2)          The Indemnity provided to Transport for London in the Section 101 Agreement be authorised.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment updating on the current risks that existed in relation to the operations of the Department of the Built Environment and, therefore, Planning & Transportation Committee and/or Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

The Committee raised a number of questions in relation to controls over the risks relating to traffic collisions caused by contractors employed by the CoL who were unfit to drive, whether or not the CoL’s credibility in relation to Tudor Street had been affected, and the possible impact of Brexit.

RESOLVED – That the report and the actions taken in the Department of the Built Environment to monitor and manage effectively risks arising from the department’s operations be noted.

The Committee received a report setting out the progress made during Q1 (April – June) against the 2016/17 Business Plan detailing what had been achieved, and the progress made against departmental objectives and key performance indicators.

The Committee raised questions in relation to recruitment and retention and the impact of the outstanding invoices for agency staff on contracts.Officers explained that the recent recruitment exercise had only been partially successful and that the City Transportation service was still carrying a number of vacant posts and that a strategy to resolve this problem was currently being worked on which may include Market Factor supplements for some posts.

RESOLVED - That the report be noted

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor in relation to the public lifts service.

A Member expressed concern regarding the recent experience of a Barbican resident wheelchair user and asked if those reporting a fault could be given feedback on what was happening and how long the lift was likely to be out of service. The ‘Out of Order’ notice on the lift itself could also be regularly updated.

It was also suggested that if persistent problems occurred with the same lift then perhaps an alternative maintenance company should be considered.

The Committee were supportive of a suggestion from the Deputy Chairman that a site visit be arranged for those Members interested in seeing how some of the public lifts and escalators worked.  

RESOLVED  – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Culture, Heritage and Libraries.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Heritage & Libraries proposing a project for the replacement of the heating distribution system at Tower Bridge.

RESOLVED – That the project proceeds to the next Gateway on the Regular route.

Questions were asked in relation to the following:

Eastern Cluster

The impact on air pollution and pressures on the transport system in relation to the demand for more buildings in the eastern cluster was acknowledged by the Committee and the Chairman advised that the Local Plan Consultation would be launching the following week and would provide an opportunity for people to express their views on the issue.

It was agreed that all Members of the Court of Common Council should be sent details of the Local Plan Consultation.

Street Resurfacing Works

A Member expressed concern regarding the number of resurfacing works currently taking place between the Guildhall and Smithfield and asked if they could be better co-ordinated to enable better traffic movement through the streets.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that the works were co-ordinated but often affected by utility companies undertaking urgent work which don’t require approval. The Director agreed to look into the specific works referred to write to the Member concerned setting out the details around the planning that had gone into them

A Member referred to the road closures and the ban on deliveries at peak times during the London 2012 Olympics and asked if something similar could be explored.

It was noted that special laws had been in place for the Olympics but other alternatives, for example use of the river, should be explored.

The Chairman reported that the Department of the Built Environment were facilitating a training/open session in relation to the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee to be held immediately after the November Planning & Transportation Committee. The Chairman urged all Members to attend as a lot of Planning and Transportation work was delegated to the Sub-Committee.

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.

Joint report of the City Surveyor and the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered and agreed a joint report of the City Surveyor and the Chamberlain concerning arrangements the City of London Wireless Concession and City WiFi Network project and the use of City Corporation street furniture and building assets to support the deployment of comprehensive mobile telecommunications infrastructure.

In response to a question concerning whether or not all Members of the Electorate should receive details of the local plan in order to maximise stakeholder engagement, it was agreed that this could be considered.

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