Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The Chairman, Jeremy Simons declared a pecuniary interest in respect of Item 4C as the owner of a leasehold and part owner of a property on Pemberton Road.  He would remain present for the item but would not take part in any discussion or voting.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 14 January 2013.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2013, be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendments: -

1)     Item 3 – Minutes (Riverside Walk Enhancement Strategy) – Members were informed that a report of the Remembrancer on the COL Various Powers Bill, which included provisions for enforcement on City Walkways would be submitted to the next meeting on 11 February 2013.

2)     Item 4 – Order of the Court of Common Council – ““The Corporate Asset and Energy and Sustainability Sub Committee be transferred from the Policy and Resources Committee to the Finance Committee and the Planning and Transportation Committee respectively”.

MATTERS ARISING

Special Events on the Public Highway (Item 6) – A letter was tabled at the meeting from the Rt. Hon the Lord Mayor Alderman Roger Gifford to the Worshipful Company of World Traders regarding the ‘Beating of the Bounds festival’.  The Director agreed to report any future correspondence to the Committee.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment – Outcome Report (Gateway 7) – Heron Tower Highway Works.

RESOLVED – That,

i)                 closure of the project be authorised; and

ii)                the Chamberlain’s department be instructed to return unspent funds to the developer, including any interest accrued, as is required under the conditions of the S278(No.1) agreement.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided details regarding the outcome of the Heron Tower Highway Improvements works project.

The Committee congratulated Officers for bringing both this project at Heron Tower Highway Works (Item 4b) in on time and within budget.

RESOLVED – That,

i)                 closure of the project be authorised;

ii)                the Chamberlain’s department be instructed to return unspent funds to the developer, including any interest accrued, as is required under the conditions of the S278 (No.2) and related variation agreement; and

iii)              it be noted that as a result of the S.278 (No.2) Variation Agreement, £395, 983 (for the diminution in benefits for the implemented scheme) will be available for other improvement works; the scope of which is still to be determined.

The Deputy Chairman, Archie Galloway took the Chair for this item.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding road danger reduction in the Shoe Lane area (Stonecutter Street and Little New Street).

Following authorisation by the Streets and Walkways and Projects Sub Committees to implement Option 1, a statutory consultation was undertaken and from this one letter of objection was received.  Officers had reviewed the objection and considered that the project benefits outweighed the issue of increasing journey time which was raised by the LTDA.

RESOLVED – That,

i)                 the making of Traffic Orders under Section 6 of the Road Traffic and Regulation Act 1984, to allow the permanent closure of Stonecutter Street at its eastern end to motorised vehicles be agreed; and

ii)                the objectors be informed of the decision.

N.B: Appendix 8 to this report is non-public.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an outline options appraisal in respect of the Aldgate Highway Changes and Public Realm Improvements Project.

Members received a presentation from the Assistant Director, Environmental Enhancement regarding the project.

Members welcomed the report and during discussion, made reference to the use of Sustainable Drainage System’s (SuDS), the connection with International House, the importance of providing public spaces and improving what was currently there and provision of public conveniences.

Members referred specifically to Appendix 3, page 81 of the report.  Members were informed that as part of the project, funding would be identified and a report would be submitted with appropriate considerations.

RESOLVED – That,

i)                 All options continue to be developed to G4 to ensure that the optimum highway layout was presented;

ii)                Delegated authority be granted to the Director of the Built Environment and Head of Finance to adjust the project budget between staff costs and fees if above the recommended variance providing the overall budget was not exceeded;

iii)              Transport for London funding of £429k be included into the project budget;

iv)              Approval be granted to use the underspend from the delivery of the project to G3 to be used to deliver G4 (approximately £44k at the time of writing);

v)               Approval be granted to utilise the St Botolph House S106 contribution for the “New Public Square” development, if required, to reach G4.  (It is anticipated that was likely to be between £2k and £20k); and

vi)              The appointment of WSAtkins be approved for a sum in the region of £100k (see Appendix 8) to develop the urban design for the scheme (included within the £475k estimate of expenditure).

Report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED – That delegated authority be granted to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee and the Projects Sub Committee to consider the project relative to 72 Fore Street, (Section 106 – Outline Options Appraisal, Gateway 3), in advance of April 2013 if required.

Report of the Remembrancer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Remembrancer which informed the Committee of the content and progress of the City of London (Various Powers) Bill and the London Local Authorities and Transport for London (No.2) Bill.

The Remembrancer anticipated there may be opposition to some of the provisions, particularly in relation to enforcement powers.

A brief discussion took place regarding the use of footpaths/walkways by cyclists and how this might be enforced in the future, perhaps by way of issuing fixed penalty notices.

With regards to ‘A’ Boards, Members were advised that similarly to Croydon Council the Corporation was considering contracting out consideration of applications for the use of ‘A’ boards as well as the enforcement of unlicensed use.   A report would therefore be submitted initially to the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee and afterwards to this Sub-Committee for consideration.

A report by the Comptroller and City Solicitor regarding the status of Riverside Walkway would be submitted to the Committee in the near future.

RECEIVED.

Blackfriars Bridge – With regards to the adjustments to the signage at Blackfriars Bridge, Members were informed that before any action was taken, a report needed to be submitted to the Deputy Mayor for consideration, therefore, a progress report would be provided to the next meeting.

Cyclists - A Member made reference to a website which stated that cyclists were claiming credit for high-speeds they were reaching on Embankment.  Officers were keen to visit the website to find out more, however advised that unless they were cycling dangerously, there was very little action that could be taken.

Safer Cycling – Members were informed that safer cycling in the City would be looked at as part of the Road Danger Reduction Plan in conjunction with the Police and Road Safety Team.

Finally, briefing paper containing the definitions of the different categories of injuries was requested.

1)     Holborn Circus (Junction layout) – Update – Members were informed that this scheme had been approved by the Deputy Mayor and the Managing Director of Transport for London.  A report would be submitted to the Committee in April/May 2013 for Gateway 5 to start works.

2)     Approval was sought from the Committee to implement planting and seating at St Giles Terrace, in line with a decision previously taken by the Committee. 

RESOLVED – That approval be given to implement planting and seating at St Giles.

3)     Tour De France – Monday, 7 July 2014 - The City has been approached by Transport for London to support the Tour De France 2014 to pass through London.  Further information would be provided in due course.

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.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.