Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019.

The public minutes of the meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub-Committee held on 2 May 2019 were approved.

Report of the Director of Built Environment.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of Built Environment, which provided the results of a review and proposed prioritisation of transportation and public realm projects within the Department of Built Environment (DBE).

Whilst Members were pleased to see the use of section 106 monies being recommended in the report, they asked for a more detailed explanation of how the scores were formulated. Members also felt that they had been provided with a fait accompli and that, in future, more choices should be given to Members.

Following a question, the officer representing DBE clarified that the western arm of Finsbury Circus was also included in the pedestrianisation project.

RESOLVED, that:

·         The methodology and ranking of DBE projects set out in the report be noted;

·         The DBE projects funded centrally during the period of the fundamental review be noted.

·         Allocation of £3,917,518 S106 funding to 4 projects be agreed to mitigate the specific developments from which the funds were generated, including the interest accrued.

·         Authorisation be given to officers to seen an extension of time to S106s with the relevant developer or building owner, where applicable, as set out in the appendix of the report.

·         Authorisation be given to officers to re-negotiate the use of any S106 deposits, not allocated in the report, that require a variation of scope, to seek their use in mitigating the impacts of the developments generating the deposits, consistent with corporate priorities.

Report of the Chamberlain.

(TO FOLLOW)

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain proposing the release of funding for six schemes previously agreed for progression outside of the fundamental review, and consideration be given to one new scheme.

RESOLVED, that:

·         The Walbrook Wharf M&E replacement project be added to the list of schemes agreed for progression outside of the fundamental review;

·         The allocation of central funding of up to £8.863m to allow the 7 schemes listed in Table 1 to progress, subject to the requisite gateway approvals, be approved;

·         It be agreed that £400k is to be met from the On Street Parking Reserve and £8.436m from the general reserves of the relevant funds;

·         It be noted that of this sum, £5.5m relates to the allocation of additional central City Fund resources for the police;

·         Approval be sought of the Finance Committee and Court of Common Council to allocate up to £8.463m from reserves of the relevant funds;

·         It be noted that this year’s capital funding bids will be initially assessed against the existing prioritisation criteria pending new criteria to be developed via the fundamental review.

There were no questions.

There was one item of urgent business –

Waterproofing Exhibition Halls 1 & 2

A Member asked for officers to look in more detail about any waterproofing that was required to be carried out on Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 on Beech Street and whether this needed to be looked at more urgently than the end of the fundamental review. Members discussed different options of how the waterproofing works could be undertaken and it was agreed that officers should look at this in more detail and come back to Members with recommendations in due course. In the interim, the Director of Major Projects explained that the investigations of options may occur additional consultancy costs, therefore Members agreed that these costs could be considered under delegated authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chairman.

RESOLVED, that:

·         Officers look at options of how the waterproofing works on Exhibition Halls 1&2 could be undertaken, reporting back to this Sub-Committee in due course;

·         Any additional consultancy costs incurred during the Summer be considered under delegated authority to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chairman.

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 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Part 2 – Non-Public Agenda

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 Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 May 2019.

The non-public minutes of the meeting of the Resource Allocation Sub Committee held on 2 May 2019 were approved.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee considered a report updating Members on progression of the provision of additional primary school places and social housing on the former Richard Cloudesley School site.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Chamberlain concerning the investment of the proceeds from the sale of 1-5 London Wall Buildings.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.