Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy John Absalom, Deputy John Bennett, Graeme Harrower, Andrew McMurtrie, Andrien Meyers, Henrika Priest, Jason Pritchard, and Deputy Elizabeth Rogula.

There were no declarations.

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council from 19 April 2018.

The Committee received an Order of the Court of Common Council of 19 April 2018 appointing the Committee and approving its Terms of Reference.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Jeremy Simons, being the only Member expressing willingness to serve, was elected Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

The Chairman welcomed both new and returning Members to the Committee and thanked those Members no longer on the Committee for their service.

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Deputy Keith Bottomley, being the only Member expressing willingness to serve, was elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year and thanked the Committee for their support.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 6 March 2018.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2018.

Matters Arising

Electric Vehicle Charging Points

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that 30 electric vehicle charging points were now available to residents in the Barbican Estate, and a six-month trial of their usage began on 14 May 2018.

Saturday Construction Work

The Chairman noted that the consultation period would conclude on 7 August 2018 (following which, the results would be reported back to Committee to determine future arrangements).

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received the current list of outstanding actions.

Noise Pollution from the London Underground

The Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that City Corporation officers were looking into obtaining funding for a study on what type of remedial measures could be introduced to alleviate noise pollution for residents.

A Member commented that a TfL representative had invited Barbican residents to a meeting on 6 June to discuss this issue.

Impact of Brexit

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that the Department was working closely with the Remembrancer on engaging with government; and a recent meeting had taken place with the Clerk to the Committee on Exiting the European Union. In response to a Member’s request for reassurance that the City Corporation’s plans are in line with the rest of the UK,the Director of Port Health and Public Protection noted that the Department continues to liaise with the Port of Rotterdam to ensure plans are co-ordinated with them and the City Corporation were hosting meetings of the Government’s Cross Borders Delivery Group. It was added that a physical presence could be required for food inspection at the borders, as opposed to simply using technology. A full report would be coming to Committee in July 2018 as previously noted.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points

The Director of Transportation and Public Realm confirmed that the installation of the taxi charging points remained on target for both Noble Street in June 2018 and at Baynard House at the end of the calendar year and TfL were now more engaged with the process. In response to a Member’s query, it was confirmed that the charging points at both sites were intended to be used solely by taxis.

Members asked that consideration be given to those driving through the Square Mile

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

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Built Environment and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which updated the Committee on progress to date on delivering an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) Only scheme in Moor Lane and Beech Street and asked for support on proposals to deliver Moor Lane as the ULEV Only scheme and to reduce traffic in Beech Street. The Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that it was intended to use Moor Lane as a pilot scheme which would inform the proposals for Beech Street.

A Member noted that London Wall Place and offices within this area would use Moor Lane for deliveries which would create pollution and asked whether this issue had been given consideration. The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection explained that officers had been working with business within the area, citing City Point and Linklaters as examples, to measure the number of deliveries and solutions included the installation of vehicle charging points at Linklaters, encouraging suppliers to use electric vehicles, and conducting feasibility studies on traffic routing. In response, a Member commented that this would not address the issue of air quality for the residential properties near London Wall Place.

Members noted their disappointment on the lack of proposals to address air pollution at Beech Street until 2021 and asked that timelines be re-considered, particularly since the Committee had previously rejected the recommendations contained within the report before Members. The Director of Transportation and Public Realm explained that whilst officers could not deliver Beech Street as part of the LEN project, discussions were taking place with neighbouring authorities and reports were being prepared for the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee, Projects Sub-Committee and Policy and Resources addressing issues including traffic restrictions in Beech Street, the future of the Exhibition

Report of the Director of Open Spaces

The Committee considered the final high-level business plan for the Open Spaces Department for 2018/19.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

a)    approve the Open Spaces Department’s Business Plan 2018-19; and

b)      note the 2018/19 performance measures and Cemetery and Crematorium risk register.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought approval for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection’s final high-level business plan for 2018/19.

In response to the Deputy Chairman’s request that enforcement activity relating to illegal street trading be included within the plan, the Port Health and Public Protection Director agreed that the plan would be amended to include this within the service deliverables section.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the final 2018/19 high-level business plan for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection, with the addition of an item relating to illegal street trading in the deliverables section.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received the Department of the Built Environment’s Business Plan Progress Report for December 2017 to March 2018 for Cleansing Services.

In response to a Member’s query on the reported rise in debt within Cleansing Services, the Director of Transportation and Public Realm confirmed that the debt was owed from five local authorities and payment was expected later in the year.

A Member noted that the City Corporation had not achieved the target of 47% for household waste recycling and queried what further action had been taken. The Director of Transportation and Public Realm explained that this target had been set as required by the Mayor of London’s strategy, which a number of local authorities had failed to achieve. The Director confirmed that the current contractor’s contract was due to finish in April 2019, and as part of the retendering process ways were being considered in which recycling rates could be improved. The Director added that the lack of green waste was a contributing factor in the low recycling figures when compared to those local authorities that composted green garden waste. Members asked that a local target for recycling figures be included next year if it seemed likely that the Mayor’s target could not be achieved.

Members thanked the Department for the garden waste trial being conducted at the Barbican Estate and asked whether further information on the service could be made available to residents.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report and appendices.

Joint report of the Chamberlain and the Chief Grants Officer.

The Committee received a joint report of the Chamberlain and Chief Grants Officers which presented a current draft version of ‘Towards a Sustainable Future: The City of London Corporation’s Responsible Business Strategy, 2018-23’ and outlined the process by which the strategy was being developed.

Members welcomed the initiatives set out within the report noting that implementation would play a key role for this Strategy and asked for an opportunity to remain involved perhaps through a breakfast briefing.

In response to a query on timelines, the Town Clerk confirmed that the first meeting of the Responsible Business Implementation Group would take place on 12 June 2018 to develop detailed action plans and the Strategy would launch in September 2018. Members commented that the Strategy should remain in line with the Corporate Plan objectives.

RESOLVED – That the Committee commented on and provided feedback on the report.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought approval for two Food Services Enforcement Plans; one for the City of London and one for the London Port Health Authority.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve:

a)    the City Food Service Enforcement Plan 2018-19; and

b)      the London Port Health Authority Food Service Enforcement Plan 2018-19.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought approval for the Health and Safety Intervention Plan 2018-19.

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the key work areas outlined within the Health and Safety Intervention Plan 2018-19.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided an update on progress against the operational performance indicators as outlined within the Departmental Business Plan.

During discussion Members raised the following points:

·         Why the Port of Tilbury had achieved better results than the Port at London Gateway when conducting checks of food products.

·         Some food products were sent to labs in Germany for checks and could a UK facility do this instead to reduce turnaround times.

·         That the air quality target remained at red and would consideration be given to other solutions.

·         Why had there been an increase in sickness absence.

·         Why had there been a reduction in debts being settled within 90 days.

In response to the points raised, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that:

·         There was greater throughput at London Gateway and due to enhanced checks on meat from Brazil, there were greater waiting times.

·         The City Corporation had raised the point with the Food Standards Agency expressing concern at the lack of UK based laboratory testing facilities. This had also been highlighted by the International Meat Traders Association and would be considered at the next major ports forum which is hosted by the City Corporation.

·         A refresh of the Air Quality Strategy 2015-2020 would take place to reflect changes in circumstances and progress made to date. In response to a request that the refresh of the Strategy be considered before March 2019, the Director agreed to provide an update in July 2018.

·         There had been some long-term sickness within the Department, and this was being managed in line with the City Corporation’s policy with close scrutiny by the Chief Officer and Director.

·         Work had been taking place to improve the debt target and an update would be

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which sought to provide assurance that satisfactory risk management procedures are in place within the Department and meet the requirements of the corporate Risk Management Framework.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report and the actions taken within the Department of the Built Environment to monitor and effectively manage risks arising from the Department’s operations.

Director of the Built Environment to be heard.

The Director of Transportation and Public Realm provided an oral update in relation to chewing gum receptacles. It was explained that Westminster Council had engaged in a trial with Hubbub on the recycling of gum via chewing gum receptacles and an update would be provided to Committee once the trial had concluded. It was noted that the receptacles were bright pink and consideration would need to be given as to whether this would be in keeping with the look and feel of the City’s Public Realm

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the update.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which detailed progress thus far on developing the project with the aim to reduce single use plastics within the Corporation and across the City.

The Director of the Built Environment explained that the work streams had the following aims:

·         Developing a refill culture through encouraging people to use drinking fountains and refill points across the Square Mile.

·         Businesses, workers and residents would be encouraged to sign up to pledges to eliminate using single use plastics.

·         The City Corporation would be looking at ways to eliminate litter and one initiative would be encouraging volunteers to take part in litter picking with Thames 21.

Members noted the importance of communications as part of this project and suggested that an app be created to advertise the nearest water bottle refill points. In response to a Member’s request that drinking fountains be provided, the Chairman noted that four refill points were already available with the aim of installing ten drinking points overall.

In response to a query on the level of funding for the project, the Director of the Built Environment advised that costs were estimated at £50-70k overall for the drinking fountains and £100k for the campaign, the Director added that the aim was to encourage behaviour change around the use of single use plastics.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report in relation to funding for an Enforcement Officer for City’s Bridges.

Discussion took place on the painted chewing gum on Millennium Bridge and whether this practice should be allowed with Members offering differing views.

A Member raised the point that many of the street traders on the bridges were part of the same network which included pickpocketing and begging, and their activities were not solely limited to street trading but were part of a wider syndicate of organised crime. It was noted that begging had been taking place outside the College of Arms, the City of London School and on Bow Lane, and the question was asked whether the Enforcement Officer would have scope to remove individuals engaged in this activity from those areas.

In response the Director of Port Health and Public Protection explained that the focus was to use the additional funding to take enforcement action against those trading on the bridges, but action would also be taken in other areas using existing resources. The Director added that an ice cream van had recently been seized and a prosecution would follow.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.

There were no questions.

Any items of business that the Chairman may decide are urgent.

The Chairman noted there were two items of urgent business.

Senior Officer Recruitment

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment  informing the committee of the retirement of the District Surveyor and upcoming retirement of the Transportation and Public Realm Director and the proposal to recruit to both posts.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.

Grand Court of Wardmote

The Committee received the following resolution of the 15 May 2018 Grand Court of Wardmote which had been referred to the Committee from the 17 May 2018 Court of Common Council:

Ward of Aldersgate  – 20^th March 2018 

(i)                  “That the citizens of Tudor Rose Court in Aldersgate are sorely troubled by being bitten by mosquitoes. These creatures are a health hazard, as well as a serious nuisance. They have been identified as Culex Pipiens, and possibly the sub-type Culex Pipiens Molestus, commonly known as the London Underground mosquito. What action is the City of London Corporation taking to determine the sub-type of these mosquitoes, which will help determine the source of these pests, and what action is the City taking to ensure these pests are eliminated?”

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that an investigation to identify the sources of the mosquitoes had been carried out in early 2018 which had not yielded results, but with the arrival of the warmer months, further work would again be undertaken to investigate the problem.

Port Health and Environmental Services Committee events

The Chairman advised Members of the following events:

The Annual River Inspection would take place on 20 June 2018 and the Committee would visit London Gateway Port.

The Fishing Experiment would take place on 22 September 2018 and participants were welcome.

The Chairman reminded Members that the next meeting of the

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 100A(4) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2018.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2018 be approved as correct record.

Joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection, and Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection, and the Director of Open Spaces which informed Members of arrears of invoiced income outstanding at 31 March 2018.

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

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, and Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought procurement approval in relation to the Planning and Regulatory Services Casework Management Project.

Report of the Director of Transportation and Public Realm.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update on progress of the Waste Collection, Street Cleansing and Ancillary Services contract.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.