Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Rehana Ameer, Mark Boleat, Peter Dunphy, Sophie Fernandes, Alderman Robert Howard, Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark, Alderman Gregory Jones, Deputy Brian Mooney, Deputy Henry Pollard, Jason Pritchard, James de Sausmarez, Oliver Sells, Graeme Smith, Deputy James Thomson and William Upton.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 23 May 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 2 May be agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

The inclusion of William Upton as being present.

The Chairman expressed thanks to Sylvia Moys for always proofing the draft minutes and providing amendments in advance of the meeting.

The Town Clerk confirmed that these amendments would be made to the online version of the minutes.

Thames Court Footbridge

The Director of the Built Environment reported that further to the decision made by the Committee that Transport for London be approached to have the Thames Court footbridge vested in it as a highway structure, there had been no response yet from TfL although it was previously hoped that a report would be brought back to the Committee before recess with their response and our initial estimate of costs. 

During discussion of the next matter arising Alastair Moss and Susan Pearson both left the meeting as they had previously declared an interest in the item.

Bernard Morgan House

The CPO reported that following the Committee’s decision to grant planning permission for the development of Bernard Morgan House, there had been an application to the Secretary of State for a call-in of the decision.

The Secretary of State had issued a Section 31 notice meaning that the decision arrived at subject to entering a Section 106 agreement in respect of Bernard Morgan House could not be issued without the prior authorization of the Secretary of State. The notice was issued to enable him to consider whether he should direct under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that the application should be referred to him for determination.

The CPO advised that no decision could be issued until the further advice of the Secretary of State was received.

The grounds for the call-in were as follows:

·         The proposal conflicted with national and local policies and failed to provide adequate affordable housing.

·         The proposal would have a harmful impact on the amenities of an adjacent Borough which had not been considered.

·         The views of the objectors had not been considered.

·         There were vested interests within the CoL Corporation which prejudiced its Planning and Transportation Committee’s ability

To receive the minutes of the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee held on 16 May 2017.

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Street and Walkways Sub-Committee from the 16 May 2017.

In view of the fact that the minutes were draft, and still subject to amendment by the Sub-Committee, it was agreed that going forward the Committee would only receive the final version which had been approved by the Sub-Committee.

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

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer advising the Committee of the enactment of the Neighbourhood Planning Bill previously reported to the Committee, and updating the Committee on developments during the passage of the Bill. These included further announcements about the measures to restrict the use of planning conditions, additions to the Bill concerning local plans and drinking establishments, and a policy indication about the use of ‘article 4’ directions to restrict commercial-to-residential conversions.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report advising that planning permission was sought for the change of use of a K6 telephone kiosk to an office pod (Sui Generis). The office pod would provide printing, scanning, copying and WiFi services for registered members.

The Committee heard that externally, the telephone kiosk would remain largely unaltered and would remain painted in BT phone box red. The existing glazed panels would be replaced with toughened safety glass to match the existing and a new electronic keypad operated mortice lock would be fitted below the pull handle.

Members raised a number of questions in relation to the likelihood of people gathering in the area to use the free wi-fi, what the definition of ‘no advertising’ was, alternative uses for the kiosks, whether the glass panels would be obscured or transparent, and whether or not the site would be more beneficial to the public if transformed into open space.

The Committee was advised that given free wi-fi would shortly be rolled out across the CoL, it was unlikely that the area around the kiosk would become congested. Managed access would also prevent users needing to queue outside. There would be no advertising other than a very small ‘Pod Works’ logo inside and a condition would be imposed requiring the glazing to be transparent to ensure the kiosk retained its original character.

A Member suggested a possible amendment to the recommendation to enable the provision of wi-fi to be monitored and then removed if this resulted in any congestion outside the kiosk, but then accepted that this would be difficult and that the approval should be with or without wi-fi.

Arising from the discussion a vote was taken:

16 For

2 Against

1 Abstention

The Committee RESOLVED that planning permission be granted for

The Committee received a report concerning the draft Enforcement Plan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) previously issued for public consultation during October/December 2016, and incorporating the Schedule of proposed changes.

RESOLVED

1)            That the amendments to the Enforcement Plan Supplementary Planning Document listed in Appendix B be agreed, and

2)            The amended Enforcement Plan SPD be adopted.

The Committee received a report concerning the Local Development Scheme (LDS), the programme for preparing the City’s planning policies, which set out in general terms the subject matter of planning policy documents and the timetable for preparing them.

The LDS needed to be periodically reviewed to keep it up to date and an updated LDS had been prepared setting out the programme for the review of the Local Plan, along with other planning policy documents.

In response to a question the Director of the Built Environment confirmed that any changes to the programme would be reported in the Members Bulletin, and it was agreed that these should also be reported to Committee members in advance of this.

RESOLVED – To approve the updated Local Development Scheme for publication to come into effect on 13 June 2017.

The Committee received a report outlining the travel arrangements associated with the programme of International Comparative Study overseas site visits. These visits were part of the programme of congestion related works agreed by the Committee in November 2016.

The Committee was advised that three cities would be recommended for City officers to visit. The cities would be chosen based on their best practice schemes/projects, associated with managing freight and congestion, and the visits would involve viewing the operation of the schemes, their impact, and meeting with those directly involved in the project for further insight.

The Committee noted that the process of delivering ambitious and successful best practice schemes typically involves addressing a variety of obstacles such as technical and financial matters. Therefore an understanding the political challenges and impacts was also essential. As such, alongside technical and senior City officers attending the site visits, it was considered that the attendance of the Planning & Transportation Committee Chairman (or delegated Member) would be beneficial to both the committee and to the study.

Members welcomed the report and supported the visits which would help inform ways of addressing the serious congestion issues in the City, and it was further suggested that consultants should be invited to take part in the programme.

RESOLVED - to agree to Member travel associated with the International Comparative Study Site Visits.

The Committee received the business plan for the Department of the Built Environment for the year 2017/18.

The high-level summary plan for the Department of the Built Environment presented a strategic approach to achieve the vision of ‘Creating and facilitating the leading future world class city’.  This supported the draft Corporate Plan and ensured excellent services continued to be delivered. 

The report presented an early draft of the Corporate Plan 2018-23 to provide Members with an opportunity to provide informal feedback before wider consultation on the draft Corporate Plan which was consulted on in the autumn with staff, partners and other external stakeholders.

A discussion took place on the draft of the Corporate Plan during which Members raised a number of points in relation to the importance of the plan and making the most of the opportunity to provide feedback, ways in which reporting could become more streamlined, assurance that the objectives and levels of ambition were supported by the work in the departments, and the importance of maintaining a focus on the Cultural Hub as well.

Members also suggested that the Plan should include additional information on performance indicators and targets, with timescales and ways to measure success, and information on the main projects and City Corporation customers.

RESOLVED - to

1)            Approve the high-level departmental business plan for the Department of the Built Environment, and

2)            Note the draft Corporate Plan 2018-23 and provide initial feedback on the content.

The Committee received a report in respect of the risk management procedures in place within the Department of the Built Environment.

Since the last report to Members there had been no changes in the list of Corporate risks managed by the department.

In response to a question concerning the ‘business as usual’ mitigations and whether or not it was possible to mitigate further, the Director of the Built Environment advised that more mitigation was always possible depending on the risk appetite and the amount and type of risk that the organisation was willing to take in order to meet the strategic objectives.

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

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update on the current provision of electric vehicle charging facilities in the City.

In response to a Member’s questions, the Transportation Public Realm Director explained that the City Corporation had been looking into providing charging points for zero emission taxis, but constraints of the street network and also the aesthetic appearance of the public realm had to be taken into account. Two options were being explored such as rapid charging points in the City’s car parks, or in rest bays away from the central part of the City. Members raised the point that private hire companies could also prove electric charging provisions for their fleets of cars.

The Transportation Public Realm Director explained that a wider electric vehicle charging strategy report would be brought back to the Committee in the autumn.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.

This item has been previously considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee on 16 May 2017 – a copy of the relevant minute is at item 4 of this agenda.

The Committee received a report previously considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee concerning the outcomes of the consultation on measures to improve the circulation of traffic within the Tudor Street area.

RESOLVED – To note the report and decision taken by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee on 16 May 2017.

This item has been previously considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee on 16 May 2017 – a copy of the relevant minute is at item 4 of this agenda.

The Committee received a report on detailing the findings of the zebra crossing review in order to identify which crossings caused significant traffic delay and assess the potential for reducing localised congestion. The report had previously been considered by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee and was for information only.

RESOLVED – To note the report and decision taken by the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee on 16 May 2017.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces updating on the outcomes from the project to refurbish and reconfigure the Tower Bridge engine room’s internal reception and gift shop. The report had previously been considered by Projects Sub-Committee in May 2017.

RESOLVED – To note that the project was completed and had been closed.

Joint Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Built Environment.

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Built Environment which provided an overview on coordinated action taking place to deal with unnecessary vehicle engine idling.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Members re-considered a report of the Town Clerk regarding the appointment of Sub-Committee Chairmen

Members again expressed the view that the service Committee should retain the right for the decision regarding Chairmen of Sub Committees as this was more democratic.

RESOLVED – that the resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee be not endorsed.

City of London ‘Hackathon’

In relation to a question concerning the outcome of the ‘Hackathon’ that took place on 21/22 May 2017, the challenge for which was to improve the mobility of people, goods and services around the Square Mile, officers advised that the winners had now been engaged to take forward ideas and a full update would be provided to a future meeting.

‘Wind Modelling’ – Easter Cluster

A Member expressed concern with regard to the strong winds at the bottom of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ as well as a number of other buildings in the City and asked if the buildings continued to be checked after construction to check the predicted wind-modelling was working. There was an increasing focus on the absolute need to ensure wind issues resulting from developments did not harm the public realm and its enjoyment by the public.

Officers advised that it was standard practice to ask for independent verification of the wind studies on new schemes to ensure as rigorous and resilient an approach as possible, and these were then monitored for up to 5 years afterwards.

Another Member asked when the wind speed around the ‘Walkie Talkie’ was last measured and whether or not there were gauges in place to ensure the safety of those walking or cycling in the area.

Officers advised that the CoL did not have the expertise in-house however an independent review was undertaken at the time and monitoring of this was part of the S106 agreement.

Public Lift Update

The Chairman reported that for the second meeting in a row there was no public lift update as the lifts were all working.

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 receive the non-public minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee meeting held on 16 May 2017.

The Committee received the draft non-public minutes of the Street and Walkways Sub-Committee from the 16 May 2017.

In view of the fact that the minutes were draft, and still subject to amendment by the Sub-Committee, it was agreed that going forward the Committee would only receive the final version which had been approved by the Sub-Committee.

The Chairman reported that he would be providing a response to a question asking for an update on the first four weeks of the Bank Junction safety scheme.