Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Alison Gowman and Oliver Lodge.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 November 2014.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2014 be approved.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Ludgate Circus

The Transportation and Public Realm Director provided an update in relation to the fatality at Ludgate Circus.  Various actions had been taken to mitigate the risk of further accidents including strengthening the 20mph signage.  Officers were liaising with Transport for London to reinforce and address safety needs.  Members were informed by the City of London Police that as the incident was still under investigation; no further details could be released.

Cycle Superhighway

Members were informed that the results of the public consultation would be published by Transport for London on 27 January 2015 with a view to a decision being made regarding construction on 4 February 2015.  It was agreed that it would be beneficial to provide an update to the Sub Committee on 23 February 2015 and afterwards to all Members of Court in March 2015 via a briefing session.

Parking for Motorcycles

Members were informed that a policy document was being drafted regarding the framework for charging, provision of more parking bays and theft of motorcycles.  Particular reference was made to on-street parking for motorcycles on Swan Lane and whether this was an appropriate area.  The alternative was to move the parking bays to Lawrence Hill; however, this would be confirmed at a later date once the use of space had been investigated further.

20mph Speed Limit

Members were informed that since October there had been 100 Traffic Offence Reports, 114 Enforcement Fixed Penalty Notices and 25 summonses to court.  Future reports of this kind would include details of any prosecutions.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Special Events on the public highway.

Smithfield Nocturne

Members were informed that this event was likely to be cancelled or relocated – the event organisers had submitted an application to move the event to the Cheapside area on a much larger scale.  It was agreed to investigate whether there were any issues between the organisers and market traders at Smithfield.

Members requested further details regarding the noise complaints which had been reported from as far away as the Barbican via a briefing note outside of the meeting.

Go Karting

Officers had requested further information from the event organisers on similar events; however the response had been limited.  At present, the City Corporation was not in a position to be able to support such an event because the vehicles were not road worthy and therefore not legal.   The legislative position was changing to permit races on the public highway, but the date for the new regulations coming into force was not known, and in addition races would need to be approved by the relevant official motor sports body.  Some Members also expressed concerns that non electric Go Karts would add to both noise and pollution levels.  Members noted that if the legal position changed, then a similar event might be supported in future particularly if electric vehicles were used.  Members were in agreement that this event should not be supported at this time.

RESOLVED – That,

a)    the retention of the British 10k, BUPA 10k and RideLondon events through the City with amended routes be approved;

b)    the likely removal of the Smithfield Nocturne from this year’s events calendar be noted; and

c)      the City Go-Kart Grand Prix would not be supported at this time.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Mitre Square.

The Sub Committee discussed the potential source (s) of funding and the sum of £50,000 which would be used for air quality monitoring.  It was noted that all S106 arrangements included a contribution for the monitoring of air quality.

The Sub Committee highlighted the importance of creating a space which was accessible to all users and also a space which did not encourage skateboarding or anti-social behaviour.

RESOLVED – That,

a)   the Scheme Objectives as detailed in Appendix 1 be approved; and

b)   progression of the project and the release of funds, as set out in Section 16 and Appendix 4 (Table 2) of the report be approved;

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the Aldgate Highway Changes and Public Realm Enhancement.

The Sub Committee expressed thanks to Officers for an excellent piece of work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Chamberlain regarding the annual on-street parking accounts 2013/2014 and utilisation of accrued surplus on highway improvements and schemes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Skateboarding – The landscaping work on the riverside near the City of London Boys School was nearing completion and was already proving attractive to skateboarders.  This was causing disruption to the school and was having a negative impact on the enjoyment of visitors using the new space. Officers explained that seating planned for the scheme was yet to be installed and when it was this should limit the opportunity for skateboarding.

A Member suggested that officers be formally actioned to prepare a set of design principles for New Street and public space works that discouraged skateboarding.  The design principles should be reviewed at a future meeting of the Sub Committee and afterwards by the Planning and Transportation Committee once Members were happy with the proposals.

It was also suggested that a specific design goal be adopted for all future projects of this nature and that they should be designed to discourage this activity.

It was felt that when these projects were reviewed by Members, this issue should be specifically highlighted and the proposals reviewed with this objective in mind before authorisation to proceed was given.

In reply, the Transportation and Public Realm Director confirmed that such a project was already underway focused around the prevention of skateboarding at St Paul’s. This report, including design principles, is targeted for completion prior to this summer recess.

RESOLVED – That a wider review and a specific piece of work be undertaken to address skateboarding at St Paul’s (an approximate timeframe would be reported to the Sub Committee).

There were no items of urgent business.