Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy Brian Harris, Alderman Alison Gowman and Christopher Hayward.

Revd Dr Martin Dudley declared personal interests in the following agenda items:

4c) -    Bank Junction Experimental Scheme - by virtue of being an Honorary Liveryman of Hackney Carriages.

4e) -    Cloth Fair Noise Disturbance -  by virtue of being the Rector of Great St Bartholomew with the Church of St Bartholomew the Great in Cloth Fair

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 11 January 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January were agreed as a correct record.

Swan Lane - The Director of the Built Environment reported that cosmetic improvements were scheduled to take place during the summer.

The Sub Committee received a report regarding the completion of the improvement works at Bury Court where S278 funding had been provided in association with the new development at 6 Bevis Marks.

Although the time taken to complete the project had been slow, it had come in under the expected budget by about 30% and the contingency was also not needed.

Members questioned the proposal that the unspent funds be returned to the developer and suggested that instead the developer be asked if the money could be spent on further improvements in the area.

RESOLVED that,

a)        the final cost of the project be noted;

b)        that the developer be asked if the unspent funds can be put towards further improvements in the area; and

c)         the lessons learnt be noted and the project be closed.

The Sub-Committee considered a report regarding the redevelopment of 11-19 Monument Street which was now in its final stages.

Members noted that there had been significant delay between Gateways 2 and 3 due to lengthy negotiations on the Section 278 Agreement, and as a result the total project cost had also increased. A working party made up of key stakeholders and chaired by the City of London had been established, and a series of objectives had been drawn up to guide the project.

RESOLVED that,

a)            the project objectives set out in Appendix 2 be approved;

b)            the release of funds to cover staff costs and fees as outlined in Section 16 of the report be authorised; and

c)            authorisation for approval for Gateway 4/5 be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The Sub-Committee received a report concerning the Bank Junction Experimental Scheme.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that additional funding of £120,000 had been secured from TfL for the scheme, and further funding for use after the 2015/16 financial year was expected.

RESOLVED that,

a)            the budget to reach the next Gateway of £300k be approved, subject to additional funding of at least £60k being received from TfL in the next financial year (as detailed in appendix 2 of the report);

b)            Option A be progressed through detailed design (during this time the inclusion, or not, of taxis will be decided) to gateway 4/5 (authority to start work); and

c)            the final design and request for authority to start work be reported to the Streets and Walkways and Projects Sub Committees and the Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

The Sub-Committee received an update on the TfL funding for 2015/16, which included proposals to reallocate the identified underspend.

RESOLVED that,

the reallocation of the identified underspend of £282,000 from Transport for London funding for 2015/16, as set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the report be approved;

the use of additional Transport for London funding of £48,000 for existing projects, as set out in Table 2 of this report be approved; and

the increase in scope of the Southampton Buildings, Fleet Street Area Strategy and Liverpool Street enhancement projects as set out in Table 2 of the report be approved.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda to enable further consultation with all interested parties.

Several Members expressed concern at the length of time being taken to come to address the issue, and the Director of the Built Environment advised that it would be treated urgently.

The Sub-Committee received a report updating on Year 5 of the ‘Sculpture in the City’ project, advising on preparations for Year 6, and seeking approval of funding for the delivery of Years 7 to 9 of the project which would be implemented from 2017 to 2019.

Members felt that the lessons learnt were very valuable and welcomed the proposal to establish a charitable trust.

RESOLVED that,

a)            the contents of the update report be noted and the shortlist of artworks for Year 6 be agreed;

b)            an increase of £25,000 on the budget of Year 5 from TfL funding underspends in 2015/16 be approved to cover additional costs that have incurred in the delivery of last year’s project due to the unforeseen need to remove a piece earlier than programmed;

c)            an additional contribution of £30k to the sum of £90,000 already approved in May 2015 (bringing the total City contribution to £120k) for the implementation of this Year’s project, funded from the existing 22 Bishopsgate S106 be approved;

d)            the appointment of the specialist consultants (Lacuna PR Ltd, A et Cetera, Open City Architecture, Brunswick Media and Sally Bowling) and the tender exercise for the art moving specialists  be approved;

e)            the Partner Board be authorised to establish a Charitable Trust;

f)             a contribution of £360k from the S106 obligation connected with the Pinnacle development at 22 Bishopsgate to cover a capped 3 year commitment to support the running of the project by a Charitable Trust between 2017 and 2019 be approved; and

g)            delegated authority be given to the Director of Transportation and Public Realm and Head of Finance to adjust the project budget between staff costs, fees and works providing the overall budget is not exceeded.

The Sub-Committee received a report concerning the city wide review of loading restrictions and functional street enhancing project which had now been completed.

In response to a question concerning how the lessons learnt were carried forward, Members were advised that officers met regularly with key stakeholders to discuss issues, and the lessons learnt were shared with internal colleagues through team meetings.

In response to a further question concerning whether or not there was a central co-ordination point for the lessons learnt, the Town Clerk undertook to look into this and report back.

RESOLVED  that,

a)            the lessons learnt are noted and the project closed; 

b)            the unspent funds of £26,838 be released back to the On Street Parking Account;

c)            A budget adjustment be undertaken to utilise works funding for an overspend of £10,575 on P&T staff costs;

d)            An off-street parking charges review be progressed independent of this project.

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The Sub-Committee considered a report regarding the objections to the associated proposals and additional mitigation measures for the North-South Cycle Superhighway which had been deferred from the last meeting to enable further discussions to be held with objectors and other interested parties.

The Chairman advised that she had accepted three additional written submissions which members had been given an opportunity to read before the start of the meeting.

The Director of the Built Environment reported that the City, together with representatives from TfL, had held a meeting with objectors and respondents to the consultations to discuss their concerns and to see if these could be addressed. Unfortunately, under TfL’s proposals, it had not been possible to resolve them although a better understanding of the concerns of those living and working in the Temple area had been achieved. The Comptroller and City Solicitor’s representative advised on the statutory criteria to be taken into consideration in reaching a view.

During the discussion a number of questions were raised including whether a full safety audit had been undertaken and made public, the alternatives to the closure of Tudor Street and the relocation of the bus-stop, the removal of the pay and display parking bays, pedestrian safety, the conflicting views of respective transport experts, emergency access and whether or not the scheme could be trialled first.

In response to a question asking what would happen if no decision was taken, the Town Clerk advised that the project would not go ahead and the work with TfL would need to begin again.

A Member proposed a motion that the Sub-Committee agree the proposals for a limited time only.

The motion was seconded and carried.

In response to a question concerning whether a recommendation to move the bus stop could also be included, the Director

The Sub-Committee received a report concerning the Aldgate Arts, Events and Play (AEP) programme, an emerging work stream of the Aldgate Gyratory highways and public realm enhancement project.

The programme had been conceived to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve perceptions of safety through the creation of vibrant and active spaces and would enhance the City’s cultural offer and provide opportunities to improve health and well-being for residents and workers.

Members noted that the programme would be developed during 2016 and initiated fully in 2017, and if successful, would continue as a 3-5 year programme.

RESOLVED - that the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

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.

RESOLVED: 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.

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of the Built Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered and approved a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Director of the Built Environment concerning the options for improvements to Beech Street.

There were no questions.

There were no questions.