Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room - 2nd Floor West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Natasha Dogra  Email: natasha.dogra@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from George Abrahams, John Beyer, Deputy Alex Deane, and Deputy Robert Howard.

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

2.

Members' Declarations Under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 186 KB

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

Minutes:

Resolved – that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

 

Matters Arising:

Various Powers Bill

Members noted that the Various Powers Bill consultation had come to an end and the report had been agreed by the Court of Common Council. Officers said that the consultation meetings with local groups had been very useful. The Bill would be deposited in Parliament on 27th November 2015.

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

4.

St Mary-At-Hill Churchyard Gateway 4

Report of the Director of the Built Environment – report to follow.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report from the Director of the Built Environment updating them on the St Mary-At-Hill Churchyard Gateway 4 project.

 

Members noted that St Mary-At-Hill church was a grade I listed building that was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke in 1670-74. The churchyard represented one of the few open spaces in the Fenchurch & Monument area, but it was currently underutilised as it is in a state of disrepair with low quality paving, poor access and limited planting. In addition to the poor design quality, surveys have revealed below ground structures and inadequate drainage causing potential damage to the church and churchyard wall.

 

In response to a query from Members, Officers said that the Fenchurch and Monument Area Enhancement Strategy identified St Mary-At-Hill Churchyard as a key opportunity to increase access to, and enhanced the quality of the churchyard for the increasing numbers of workers, residents and visitors to the area. To achieve this, the total available funding of £100,000 was allocated to the scheme from the Section 106 Agreement related to the redevelopment of 20 Fenchurch Street.

In order to address all of the current problems associated with the space, the Working Party developed a series of objectives which were approved at Gateway 3 in April 2015. The proposed concept design seeks to address these objectives by delivering new ramped and stepped access, new tree planting and soft landscaping, sustainable drainage, new seating, lighting and re-use of heritage assets.

 

Members were informed that there were still a number of uncertainties surrounding the delivery of this project, principally relating to archaeology, drainage and funding.

 

Resolved – that Members:

·       Authorised the progression of the project and the release of funds, as set out in Section 17 of this report;

·       Authorised officers to arrange additional funding as per

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

5.

Open Spaces Learning Programme pdf icon PDF 324 KB

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces informing them of the new open spaces learning framework and programme designed to address a lack of coordination and focus in the current provision. Members noted that Officers would investigate the use of evaluation framework to determine the success of the programme.

 

Received.

 

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

6.

Superintendent's Update pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Report of the Superintendent of Parks & City Gardens.

 

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

Minutes:

The Committee received a report providing an update on management and operational activities across the City Gardens section since July 2015. Members were informed that the Christmas Tree Lighting Event would take place on 8th December at 4pm with the Lord Mayor in attendance. The reception following the ceremony would take place in St Paul’s Cathedral School Bread Street Choir Hall.

 

Received.

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

7.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

8.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

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

9.

Exclusion of the Public

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business 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.

 

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

Minutes:

MOTION: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the

public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business 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.

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

10.

Finsbury Circus reinstatement update

Update by Superintendent of Parks and Gardens.

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

Minutes:

The committee received an update by the superintendent of Parks and Gardens on the Finsbury Circus reinstatement project.

 

Resolved – That the update be noted.

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

11.

Issue Report: Skate boarding

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

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

Minutes:

The committee received a report discussing issues surrounding skateboarding activities in St Paul’s Churchyard.

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

12.

Questions on Matters Relating to the Work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

13.

Any Other Business That the Chairman Considers Urgent and Which the Committee Agree Should Be Considered Whilst the Public Are Excluded

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

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

14.

Service Based Review Update

Confidential report to be circulated to Members separately.

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

Minutes:

The Committee received the confidential report of the Director of Open Spaces regarding the Service Based Review.

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