Agenda and minutes

Venue: Livery Hall - Guildhall

Contact: Gemma Stokley
tel. no.: 020 7332 3414  Email: gemma.stokley@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Munsur Ali, Sir Mark Boleat, Peter Dunphy, Stuart Fraser, Christopher Hill and Natasha Maria Cabrera Lloyd-Owen.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

Alderman Prem Goyal declared a personal interest in Items 7 and 8 by virtue of holding a tenancy in the Ward of Farringdon Within.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 166 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 29 January 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 29 January 2019 were considered.

 

MATTERS ARISING

Members’ Declarations under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda (page 2) – Susan Pearson asked that the minutes of the last meeting be amended to read that she had “declared that the Standards Committee considered that she had a pecuniary interest in Item 10………………”. She added that she had made it clear at the last meeting that she did not consider that she had a pecuniary interest in a tree. The Town Clerk undertook to amend the minute accordingly.

 

Dockless Bikes (page 2) – The Chairman informed the Committee that he, together with a number of other Members and Senior Officers, had met with Freebike – a dockless e-bike hire operator. Freebike had proposed a service that has the potential to provide well-managed dockless cycle hire that is suitable for the City context. Members were informed that Officers were now developing options for a trial to allow operators meeting the necessary requirements to place bikes within the Square Mile. A report seeking approval for the trial would be put to the Committee at its 18 March meeting.

 

The Chairman explained that, subject to approval, the trial was expected to begin in May 2019. The trial would allow operators to place a limited number of bikes at appropriate locations within the Square Mile. Customers would also be required to leave bikes at these locations. This would allow the City Corporation to test the effectiveness of additional controls that are likely to become available should a London-wide byelaw be adopted. The results of the trial would be used to inform the City Corporation’s long-term approach to dockless cycle hire and the application of any proposed byelaw within the Square Mile.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

MINUTES OF THE STREETS AND WALKWAYS SUB COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To receive the draft minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee meeting held on 22 January 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

The Committee received the draft minutes of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee meeting held on 22 January 2019.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Terms of Reference and Frequency of meetings pdf icon PDF 40 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to their terms of reference and frequency of meetings.

 

A Member referred to the fact that the Committee’s 2017 terms of reference had referred, at paragraph (f), to its role as ‘Lead Local Flood Authority’. He questioned the rationale behind the removal of this. The District Surveyor confirmed that he continued to sit on the flood risk authority and that he believed it to be correct that this continued to be part of the Committee’s remit. The Town Clerk undertook to look in to this matter and report back to the Committee.

 

In response to the existing terms of reference and whether or not Officers were satisfied that these remained appropriate and minimised any ‘overlap’ with the work of other Committees, the Chairman clarified that much of what was captured were statutory responsibilities and also that there was some shared responsibility on certain matters with the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee. He added that whilst there shouldn’t be any duplication, this Committee appointed two Sub Committees – Streets and Walkways and Local Plans – which dealt with the minutia of some of the issues that were brought to the grand Committee.

 

With regard to the frequency of meetings, Members were content to proceed with meetings taking place every 3 weeks. A Member questioned the timing of meetings going forward and suggested that it might be more appropriate for future meetings dealing with residential applications to take place in the late afternoon/evening so as to encourage and facilitate attendance from local residents themselves. The Chairman stated that this would be a matter for his successor to consider alongside Officers. Some Members objected to the suggestion stating that they frequently had other City Corporation related commitments in the evenings. It was

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Outstanding Actions pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk detailing outstanding actions since their last meeting.

 

Updates were provided as follows:

 

Ludgate Circus

The Director of the Built Environment updated the Committee on the results of the recent survey at the junction.

 

He went on to report that a meeting had taken place between TfL, City Corporation Officers and the City of London Police on 15 February 2019 where it was reported that TfL had already put some actions in place based on the results of the survey. Options around further safety improvements were discussed including the use of apps, linked with google maps, for drivers approaching the junction, reducing the overall cycle time for passing through the junction, examining data around the effectiveness of coloured surfacing (such as that in place around Earl’s Court) and enhanced enforcement measures. These options were now to be fully evaluated and costed with a follow up meeting scheduled for 5 March 2019. Members were informed that this would also be the subject of a future report to the Planning and Transportation Committee.

 

Members were also informed that a meeting was set to take place between the Commissioner of TfL, the Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee and the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee next week where they would also take the opportunity to raise this matter at the highest level.  

 

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the City Corporation had undertaken the survey of the junction and analysed the results after TfL had refused to do so. He added that he was disappointed in their seeming lack of urgency around this matter.

 

The Deputy Chairman highlighted that the statistics from the survey clearly demonstrated that this was a dangerous junction for the general public. He added that, whilst it was

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR pdf icon PDF 278 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development and advertisements applications determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director or those so authorised under their delegated powers since the report to the last meeting.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

valid planning applications received by the department of the BUILT ENVIRONMENT pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the report to the last meeting.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

PUBLIC LIFT REPORT pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Report of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the City Surveyor containing details of the five public escalators/lifts that were in service for less than 95% of the time.

 

The City Surveyor went on to provide the following updates:

 

Speed House

Members were informed that the project to replace the lift had been brought forward and had now commenced. It was expected that the works would last for approximately 16 weeks with the lift returning to service at the end of June 2019. The City Surveyor undertook to keep Members informed of progress.

 

A Member stated that he was pleased to learn that this problem was finally being addressed more substantially. He went on to comment that he felt that the fundamental problem here was that the wrong lift had been installed from the outset. He questioned whether Officers could now offer any assurances that the new lift would be properly suited to this location.

 

The City Surveyor reported that Officers were now also looking at the issue of water ingress from the highwalk and that a total refurbishment would be carried out which they were confident would render the lift more fit for purpose.

 

Millennium Inclinator

The City Surveyor reported that the inclinator was due to go out of service shortly for a three-week period from the 25th March to the 12th April to carry out essential works.

 

A Member commented that they were disturbed to learn that this was going to be out of service again. She added that the outages here were now far too frequent and long lasting. 

 

Other Members supported this view. They referred to the frequent outages and questioned whether it was now possible to get on top of these issues as the current situation, given the number of people who used and were

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

8, 9 & 13 Well Court London EC4M 9DN pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director seeking approval for the extension of the existing building to provide a proposed fourth, fifth and sixth floor of office (Class B1) floorspace plus removal of existing plant at fourth floor level, installation of plant and plant enclosures at sixth floor and roof level, a terrace at roof level and cycle parking at ground floor level. (436sq.m GIA).

 

The Assistant Director, Planning drew Members’ attention to a correction at paragraph 19 of the report which should refer to paragraphs 10 and 11 of the NPFF and not paragraph 14.

 

The Committee were informed that 12 Well Court was currently a seven storey residential premises containing eight flats. Objections to these plans had been received from residents of this building and also from the freeholder. The Assistant Director clarified that the planned roof terrace would be for the use of office workers within the building only. Members were also informed that the daylight/sunlight assessment within the report had been independently reviewed. The Officer recommendation on this application was that permission should be granted.

 

The Deputy Chairman invited the registered objectors to address the Committee. Grant Winton stated that he spoke on behalf of all residents of 12 Well Court, all of whom were opposed to this application and had jointly taken professional advise on the plans submitted which, to date, had already undergone five separate revisions yet still remained factually incorrect in a number of ways. Mr Winton went on to explain that 12 Well Court had been a residential building since 2011 and that these plans, should they be approved would result in an overbearing structure that was visually detrimental to residents living here.

 

Mr Winton went on to refer to the critical loss of residential sunlight

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Tower Bridge Re-Decking and Approach Viaduct Waterproofing Project - Outcome Report pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the outcome of the Tower Bridge re-decking and approach viaduct waterproofing project and seeking approval for this project to be closed.

 

The Director of the Built Environment reported on the success of this project which had been completed to scope/specification one week ahead of programme and within the project budget set at Gateway 5. He added that tackling illegal cycling here could be considered as a future project here.

 

In terms of lessons learned, the Director of the Built Environment noted that it was important to note that the main contracted works did not always represent the full extent of a project. He added that this report had been delayed due to things that were outside of the contracted works programme but nevertheless part of the project.

 

A Member congratulated Officers on the excellent work carried out on this project. Importantly, they had ensured that the Tower Bridge exhibition was kept fully open to the public throughout the works.

 

RESOLVED – That, Members approve the content of this Outcome Report, and that the Project will be closed.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

5th European Congress of Local Governments - Member travel approval pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking approval for the Planning and Transportation Committee Chairman to attend the 5th European Congress of Local Governments, which will be held in Krakow, Poland on 8 and 9 April 2019.

 

RESOLVED – That, Members agree to Member travel to attend the 5th European Congress of Local Governments.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Brexit Update pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment updating Members on the potential implications of Brexit for the Department of the Built Environment.

 

RESOLVED – That, Members note this report and that further update reports will be made to subsequent meetings of the Committee as appropriate.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee

Minutes:

Heathrow Airport Expansion Consultation

A Member reported that Heathrow Airport was currently running a consultation on changes to the way it uses its runways and the surrounding airspace within the context of the proposed third runway. He stated that some of its proposals would result in a considerable increase in the number of aircraft passing directly above the City of London, often at low altitude.

 

He went on to state that high rise buildings would be particularly susceptible to aircraft noise and that there could also be an undesirable impact on public space in terms of noise pollution. He questioned, therefore, whether the City would be responding to this consultation which concluded on 4th March. He recommended that they should.

 

The Pollution Team Manager thanked the Member for his question. He informed the Committee that this was just a small piece of a more wide ranging consultation around the introduction of new flight paths for Heathrow Airport in 2026. He confirmed that the City would be making a collaboratory response to this piece of consultation across the 10 authorities that made up the Cross London River Partnership.

 

The Officer went on to report that, at present, only flight arrivals to Heathrow passed over the City. There were 8 scenarios for future departures from Heathrow covering different geographical areas around Heathrow, some of which would overfly the City of London with  between 0-17 aircraft per hour. Concerns over this had been raised in the City of London response to the consultation.

 

The Member thanked the Officer for confirming that the City would be responding to the consultation, He added that he had, however, understood that the issues, particularly around increased noise pollution would be more significant than described.

 

The Officer undertook to keep the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and the Member

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Any other Business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Exclusion of the Public

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.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

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.

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

GLA Roads - Land Dispute with Transport for London

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor and City Surveyor.

 

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Committee received a joint report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor and the City Surveyor updating Members as to the property and financial implications of the recent decision of the Supreme Court regarding ownership of the GLA roads.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Non-Public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions raised in the non-public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the committee agrees should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There were no urgent, additional items of business for consideration in the non-public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.