Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Shravan Joshi, Natasha Lloyd-Owen, Andrew Mayer, Sylvia Moys, Henry Pollard and James de Sausmarez.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held virtually on 8 September 2020.

The Committee considered the public minutes and non-public summary of the virtual meeting held on 8^th September 2020.

MATTERS ARISING

Princes Street (page 24) – A Member who had raised concerns around trip hazards on the pavements at Princes Street at the last meeting thanked Officers for responding to her on this point. She stated that she had since had the opportunity to send them some photographs of the site and the issues here.

22 Bishopsgate (page 24) – A Member who had raised concerns around the size of the trees installed at 22 Bishopsgate stated that she was yet to have a response from Officers on this point and asked that they look into this matter and report back.

Any Other Business that the Chair considers urgent and which the Committee agrees should be considered whilst the public are excluded (page 26) – A Member stated that, whilst further discussion had taken place on the Tulip Inquiry during non-public session at the last meeting, there was no justification for the matters discussed to remain non-public and asked that this therefore be moved into the public minutes of the last meeting ahead of these being finalised and published. The Chair agreed with this proposed amendment which was also seconded. The Town Clerk undertook to make the amendment.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendment above and moving the minutes of the non-public discussion on the Tulip Inquiry into the public minutes of the virtual meeting held on 8^th September 2020, they be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk detailing the Committee’s outstanding actions.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Interim Chief Planning Officers and Development Director.

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Chief Planning Officer and Development Director regarding an application for Swan Lane Pier, 1 Swan Lane, London EC4R 3TN, specifically the erection of a new pier within the River Thames at Swan Lane, to comprise a refurbished landside access platform; new canting brow and pontoon; dredging and filling of river bed; repair and reinstatement of campshed and riverbank; replacement of mooring pile and installation of additional mooring pile.

The Town Clerk drew Members’ attention to the fact that a supplementary document pack containing additional background papers had also been circulated and published yesterday afternoon.

Officers presented the application to Members reporting that the site in question was located at the end of Swan Lane, between London Bridge and Cannon Street railway bridge. It was highlighted that, adjacent to the pier itself, was Riverbank House – an office building – with Seal House situated to the right-hand side of this, which had recently received planning permission for redevelopment. Members were informed that a pier had previously existed on this site but had fallen out of use in 2012 with only two dolphin structures and a landside access platform now remaining at the existing site. Officers reported that the application sought permission for the erection and reinstatement of a new pier with associated works. The extent of the works would include a refurbished landside access platform, a new canting brow and pontoon, a replacement and a new mooring pile, the dredging and filling of part of the riverbed and the repair and reinstatement of the campshed and riverbed. The application stated that the works would provide a multi-use pier with two berths for embarking and disembarking only. One berth would be used primarily as a mooring for larger event charter vessels. The application also

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a Gateway 2 – Project Proposal Report of the City Surveyor in respect of London Wall Car Park – Ventilation, Electrical, Fire Alarm and Sprinkler Works.

Members noted that the project would involve the installation of a new ventilation system, upgrading the power supply, the replacement of the current electrical installation (including the replacing of lighting to LED) and would also see the replacement of the sprinkler system, carbon monoxide and fire alarm system at the site. Officers clarified that the project was to address the main areas identified within a recent Fire Risk Assessment and compliance issues that have been raised and would complete works identified as being due within the Forward Maintenance Plan as well as future proofing the car park itself.

Members were informed that the structure of the car park was a highways structure and so funding was also being requested to instruct fire and structural consultants to review the design to ensure that it was compliant. Members were being asked to approve a sum of £240,000 to enable works including a detailed M&E survey, detailed design, upgrade of the electrical supply and to complete tender documents for the next Gateway. Finally, Members were asked to note that there was a current total estimated cost for the project of £1.1million excluding risk.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1.         Approve a budget of £240,000 be to carry out enabling works, including an upgrade of electrical supply and more detailed surveys to prepare the M&E design and tender documents to reach the next Gateway;

2.         Note that the total estimated cost of the project is £1,155,000 (excluding risk);

3.         Note that here is a Costed Risk of £260,000 (post-mitigation);

4.         Note that the total estimated cost of the project is £1,415,000

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of Car Park and On-Street Parking Pay tariffs.  Members noted that it had been over three years since the last full-scale parking tariff review, and with demand for parking places increasing as the City moves towards recovery from Covid-19, a review was timely.

Officers reminded Members that, earlier this year, they had brought forward a report on how the Transport Strategy related to carparking and on-street parking bays going forward and, at the time, Officers had set out that there would be a further report later in the year in relation to reviewing carparking and pay and display tariffs. Officers reported that the long-term strategy for the City had, for many years now been about discouraging commuting by car – something that was reiterated within the Transport Strategy.

Members were reminded that the most recent change introduced in terms of tariffs had been a move to emissions based on-street parking in terms of pay and display. It was noted that this had been successful and well received both within the industry and with the public as well as contributing to a reduction in the number of high polluting vehicles using these bays.

Officers reported that the costs of the City’s operations, particularly in terms of carparks continued to gently rise as a result of things such as the organisation’s commitment to the London Living Wage for staff operating here. It was highlighted that, were it not for COVID-19, this report would be a relatively straightforward continuation of the Transport Strategy. However, the current pandemic had clearly had an impact on the way that people were now choosing to work and travel into the City with all of the data currently available showing a significant rise in

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment recommending a new set of charges for the Highways Act 1980 licences and consents and setting out a rationale for their calculation so that they can be updated more regularly and on a consistent basis going forward.

A Member noted that the charges had not been reviewed for at least 20 years and suggested that this Committee ought to therefore agree an appropriate period of review going forward. He added that he felt that it was very important for the City to recover costs when undertaking work for developers. The Chair welcomed this suggestion for more regular reviews. Officers accepted that the charges ought to be reviewed more frequently and reported that they had actually been reviewed approximately 8 years ago but were unsure as to why that review had not resulted in a report to this Committee to reform the charges at that time. It was suggested that in future an annual review of the charges reflecting changes in officers’ charge out rates and any other relevant changes in the financial context would be preferable.

RESOLVED – That Members agree the recommended charges set out in the summary table at Appendix 1 to this report for section 176(1) licences (in relation to bridges); section 177(1) licences (in relation to buildings); section 179(1) consents (in relation to vaults, arches, cellars and building foundations); section 180(1) consents (in relation to openings into cellars and vaults); and section 180(2) consents (in relation to pavement lights and ventilators)

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2021-27.

A Member raised a question on the impact of the completion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel and whether, once this work was complete, the tunnel would reduce the likelihood of sewers backing up and causing flash floods in the Blackfriars foreshore area. Officers reported that they did not expect these works to have a significant impact on surface water flooding. It was reported that Tideway had undertaken some modelling on this and that Officers could look to share the results of this with Members outside of the meeting.

Another Member questioned why the Committee did not have, as a companion to this report, the City Corporation’s Risk Management Strategy, to see how the new Flood Risk Management Strategy might change the mitigation strategies going forward and how that might reduce any ongoing risk in this particular area on the Corporate Risk Register. Officers undertook to liaise further on this matter.

Another Member commented that she did not feel that the Thames Tideway works would resolve flooding issues and highlighted that Tideway had themselves indicated, at the outset of this project, that it would not deal with all of the flooding issues. Surface run off was also an important issue and necessitated the use of things such as green roofs. The Member went on to note that along the riverside there was a significant issue with drainage particularly the area around Millennium Bridge which flooded frequently. She underlined that the regular maintenance of street drains was extremely important. The District Surveyor responded to comment on flooding along the Embankment and at Millennium Bridge House and reported that Officers had carried out investigations here and found that the drain carrying

Report of the Remembrancer.

The Committee received a report of the Remembrancer in respect of relevant provisions of the Business and Planning Act 2020, which came into effect on 22 July, as it affects the interests of the Planning and Transportation Committee. 

Members noted that the Act introduced a new temporary regime for table and chair licences intended to help food and drink outlets trade and comply with social distancing guidelines. It also automatically extended on-sales alcohol licences to permit off-sales, allowing the sale of alcohol for consumption off-premises during the times that on-sales are permitted.

RESOLVED - That the requirements of the temporary regime be noted.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee received a public lift report of the City Surveyor for the period 22/08/2020 – 17/09/2020.

A Member expressed concern around issues with the new lift at Blackfriars Bridge and questioned who paid for the necessary repairs to this. The City Surveyor reported that Officers were working on the lift and that the City paid for these repairs but that there was a sum set aside from the developer that they were able to draw down on for these. She clarified that these funds were in place for the lifespan of the lift. The City Surveyor went on to report that some of the City’s lifts were experiencing issues associated with lack of use during the current pandemic and, as a result, Officers were now considering if the maintenance regime ought to be amended and increased in frequency to help address this.

Another Member highlighted that the Blackfriar’s Bridge lift and the Millennium Inclinator had both been out of service at the same time and commented that this had a real impact on disabled access down onto the riverside. She questioned whether the City were clearly identifying alternative accessible routes in these circumstances. The City Surveyor reported that such signs were posted whenever lifts were out of service. It was reported that the Inclinator was now back in service but that Officers had to bear in mind that it would be out of service for a period of time whilst it was replaced. This would make the effective functioning of the Blackfriar’s Bridge lift all the more important. The Member came back on this point to question whether the developer would be offering any assistance in terms of costs whilst the Inclinator was out of service ahead of its replacement to ensure that access to the riverside was adequately

Report of the Interim Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

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

RESOLVED – That Members note the report.

Report of the Interim Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

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

Officers reported some major applications had been received since the report to the last meeting – namely Custom House for a new proposed hotel scheme and 55 Gracechurch Street for an office-led development scheme. It was anticipated that these would come to Committee in due course and it was expected that further, similar, large applications would be coming forward in the coming months.

The Chair thanked Officers for all of the work that was continuing to happen behind the scenes at both application and pre-application stage.

The Chief Commoner questioned whether Officers were seeing continued vitality in term of planning applications and whether they had any sense as to whether the City was likely to return to full occupancy going forward. Officers reported that the Planning Department remained very busy in terms of pre-application discussions and that, at the present time, they were seeing an almost unprecedented level of new schemes coming forward at the pre-application stage. Officers and developers were hopeful that these pre-application discussions came forward as planning applications. The Chair added that he felt that it was important that Members vocalised this point as much as possible. He added that there were some sound policies coming forward in the form of the new City Plan, the Transport Strategy and others and it was evident here that both international and UK based developers were still very much interested in investing in development in the City in the medium and longer term.

Another Member requested that some publicity and press coverage be given to the two large applications reported by Officers now

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk advising Members of action taken by the Town Clerk since their last meeting in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chairman and in accordance with Standing Order Nos 41(a) and 41(b).

RESOLVED – That Members note the report.

Thames Tideway Tunnel and Tower Bridge

A Member commented that a recent press report had stated that the boring machine was edging towards Tower Bridge itself and there were concerns that it might have an impact on the bridge.  She questioned whether there was any truth in this and how the impact of these works was being monitored. She also mentioned the recent failure of the Bridge when it became stuck open and questioned whether the Committee might, at some point in future, have a report on Tower Bridge.

The Chair commented that there were various reports on Tower Bridge that came to this Committee but asked that he and the Member seek to discuss this specific point further outside of the meeting and consider how a more holistic report might be produced.

Zahur Khan

The Chair reported that Zahur Khan, Director of Transportation, was due to leave the organisation shortly and he wished to place on record the Committee’s thanks to him for all of his work and for leading from the front on transportation issues, particularly with regard to Ludgate Circus and Beech Street which was currently under Judicial Review. The Chair wished Zahur the best of luck on his promotion with another Local Authority.

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.

                        Item No(s)                                                      Paragraph No(s)

                            18                                                                           3

                          19-20                                                                         -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held virtually on 8 September 2020.

The Committee considered the non-public minutes of the virtual meeting held on 8September 2020 and approved them as a correct record.

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

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