Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Jeremy Simons (Chairman), Martin Farr and Deputy John Owen-Ward.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 17 September 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2012 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to recording Alderman Robert Hall’s apologies for the meeting at Item 1.

MATTERS ARISING –

Millennium Bridge (Item 3)

The Sub Committee were advised of a number of options relating to the repair and maintenance of an area close to the Millennium Bridge. It was agreed that a visit should be arranged for the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of this Sub Committee and the Projects Sub (Policy & Resources) Committee, with a view to looking at the cost/benefits of different levels of remedial work. This may also be influenced by other works due to be conducted in the area and Officers would explore any considerations. All Members of both Sub Committees would be invited once the visit was arranged.

London Bridge Planters (Item 3)

As it had been established that Transport for London (TfL) were responsible for the planters, Officers were undertaking a survey of the planters in order to present it to TfL as evidence of what action needs to be taken to maintain them to a satisfactory level.

It was also noted that the area around Upper and Lower Thames Street would benefit from additional trees to improve air quality.

Pedestrian crossing at Swan Lane (Item 4.2)

The Deputy Chairman advised Members that there had not been an opportunity to raise this matter at the previous London Councils meeting but he would raise this at the next meeting on Thursday 18 October 2012.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which confirmed that there was no evidence that the Blackfriars Junction was inherently unsafe.

Noting that the junction was the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL), Members were still very concerned about its operation and requested that City Corporation Officers continue to work closely with TfL to address all the issues by the end of November 2012.

Officers advised Members that they had reviewed the TfL audit report and that the ‘Stage 3’ Audit Report would be shared with the Sub Committee on publication. It was agreed that a full update would be brought to the January 2013 Committee meeting so that Members could be assured that appropriate action had been taken.

RESOLVED: That -

      i.        it be noted that City Officers were working closely with Transport for London (TfL) (the Highway Authority for Blackfriars Junction) to resolve issues raised and Officers would seek to have the issues resolved by the end of November 2012; and

    ii.        a full update report on action taken would be brought to the January 2013 meeting.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of the Mayor’s Road Safety Action Plan for London: 2020.  Stakeholders were being asked to provide input on specific aspects of the Plan and to submit views and suggestions for improvements. The report summarised the content of the draft Plan and put forward a suggested consultation response.

Although Members were generally in agreement with the draft consultation, they were keen that it emphasised the desired outcomes, struck the right balance for all road users and was based on relevant evidence such as accident hotspots and successful remedial action. Members also noted the importance of taking immediate action on areas already identified by the City Corporation.

In response to a question, Members noted that a separate consultation response would be submitted by the City of London Police.

RESOLVED: That the Director of the Built Environment be authorised to respond to the consultation on the draft Road Safety Action Plan for London, subject to agreeing it with the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of the Planning & Transportation Committee and this Sub Committee.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which requested that authority be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of both the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee and the Projects Sub Committee, regarding options in respect of opening up and enhancing the Riverside Walk at Globe View Walkway.

RESOLVED: That approval of the outline options appraisal be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of both the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee and the Projects Sub Committee.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Open Spaces in respect of Queen Elizabeth II Fields.

Members suggested that the Lord Mayor could be invited to conduct the proposed opening ceremony and it could be combined with the carol service on 3 December 2012.

Members noted that the following recommendations had been approved by the Open Spaces, City Gardens and West Ham Park Committee on 8 October 2012: -

         i.        The new garden on the site of St Paul’s Cathedral coach park is recognised as The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden;

        ii.        The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden and Tower Hill Garden have been dedicated as Queen Elizabeth II Fields; and

       iii.        Officers should continue to pursue opportunities for recognising The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden through an unveiling ceremony (or similar) and potential sources of funding identified in conjunction with the Chamberlain.

RECEIVED

In response to a question, Officers agreed to look at the parking arrangements in the Trinity Square area in more detail, as there appeared to be a discrepancy between the road markings and the restrictions that should be in force.

There was no other business.

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 non-public questions.

There were no items of urgent business.