Agenda and minutes

Venue: Livery Hall - Guildhall

Contact: Gemma Stokley
tel. no.: 020 7332 3414  Email: gemma.stokley@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Munsur Ali, Sophie Fernandes, Graeme Harrower and Oliver Lodge.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in respect of items on the agenda

Minutes:

Alderman Prem Goyal declared a personal interest in agenda items 9 and 14 by virtue of holding a tenancy in the Ward of Farringdon Within. 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

ORDER OF THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 59 KB

To receive the Order of the Court of Common Council appointing the Committee dated 25 April 2019 (TO FOLLOW).

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

Minutes:

The Committee received the Order of the Court of Common Council of 25 April 2019 (separately circulated and tabled at the meeting) appointing the Committee and setting its terms of reference for the ensuing year.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

To elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 29.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

Minutes:

The Committee proceeded to elect a Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 29. 

 

A list of Members eligible to stand was read and Deputy Alastair Moss being the only Member expressing willingness to serve was duly elected Chairman for the ensuing year and took the Chair.

 

VOTE OF THANKS

 

Proposed by Barbara Newman;

Seconded unanimously;

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

 

THAT, at the conclusion of his term of office as their Chairman, the Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee wish to extend to

 

Christopher Michael Hayward

 

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the extremely able and competent manner in which he has presided over their deliberations and the detailed interest and commitment he has shown in all aspects of the work of the Planning and Transportation Committee.

 

CHRIS HAYWARD upheld the key role occupied by the Committee in ensuring that the Corporation's statutory role as a Planning Authority was efficiently and effectively carried out and, applied himself with equal vigour to the diverse transportation issues which have an impact on the world class commercial centre which comprises the Square Mile.

 

HE presided over meetings in a courteous manner, with leadership and vision, and demonstrated a ready grasp of planning issues.  His experience and understanding of planning and transportation matters have been a driving force behind a number of major schemes which have been implemented and others in the pipeline. The Bloomberg European Headquarters was awarded the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for the UK’s best new building during his chairmanship.

 

THE Chairman has had the courage of his convictions in presiding over often controversial and radical decisions such as the ‘Bank On Safety’ scheme, launched in May 2017 to improve the safety record at this dangerous junction. The scheme has been an overwhelming success with the Court of Common Council voting to

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. (3) (a), the immediate past Chairman had chosen to exercise his right to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

Christopher Hayward was therefore duly appointed as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

 

The Chairman took the opportunity to give thanks to those Members who had now left the Committee – Alderman Nicholas Lyons, Alderman Gregory Jones, Graeme Smith and Stuart Fraser. He went on to welcome those Members who were newly appointed to the Committee – Alderman Emma Edhem, Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney, Sophie Fernandes (returning after a year’s absence), and Karina Dostlova.

 

The Chairman also took the opportunity to thank Members for electing him to the position which he referred to as an honour and a privilege. He added that he was looking forward to working with stakeholders in the property and transport industries, and colleagues across London to ensure the City remains a vibrant destination to live, work and visit. The Chairman also invited all Members of the Planning and Transportation Committee to meet with him individually to share their views in the coming weeks to help ensure that the Committee continued to reach the right decisions and a sensible consensus.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

APPOINTMENT OF SUB-COMMITTEES pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to the appointment of it’s Sub Committees and Working Party, their constitution and terms of reference.

 

The Chairman asked that Members note that, whilst he would be appointed to the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee, it was not his intention to Chair the Sub Committee. The election of a Chairman and Deputy Chairman for this body would be decided at its first meeting on 28 May 2019.

 

Streets and Walkways Sub Committee

The Town Clerk announced that, with ten Members expressing an interest in standing for the seven available spaces from the Planning and Transportation Committee, a ballot was required.

 

Following a ballot the Town Clerk announced that the following Members would be appointed to the Streets and Walkways Sub Committee:

·         Randall Anderson

·         Deputy Keith Bottomley

·         Oliver Sells, QC

·         Shravan Joshi

·         Peter Bennett

 

The Town Clerk announced that three Members – Deputy Jamie Ingham Clark, Marianne Fredericks and William Upton, QC) had received a tied vote and that a second ballot to return two of these three Members would therefore be required.

 

Following discussion, the Committee resolved that the membership of the Sub Committee should be expanded to incorporate eight as opposed to seven Members from the Planning and Transportation Committee for the ensuing year only.

 

Local Plans Sub Committee

The Town Clerk announced that, with eight Members expressing an interest in standing for the five available spaces from the Planning and Transportation Committee, a ballot was required.

 

Following a ballot the Town Clerk announced that the following Members would be appointed to the Local Plans Sub Committee:

·         Randall Anderson

·         Deputy Keith Bottomley

·         Graham Packham

·         Shravan Joshi

·         William Upton, QC

 

RESOLVED - That the appointment, composition and terms of reference of the sub-committees and working parties for the ensuing year

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 179 KB

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 2 April 2019.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

Minutes:

The Committee considered and approved the public minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2019 as a correct record.

 

MATTERS ARISING

Land Adjacent to 20 Bury Street London EC3A 5AX (page 11) – In response to a question, the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director reported that the Mayor of London had requested further details regarding the Section 106 agreement which had been collated and were to be sent imminently. The receipt of this information would then trigger the fourteen day period in which the Mayor had to act. She added that it was unlikely that the Secretary of State would make any decision on the matter until the Mayor had reached a decision.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

OUTSTANDING ACTIONS pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Report of the Town Clerk.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk detailing outstanding actions from their last meeting.

 

Updates were provided as follows:

 

Ludgate Circus

The Transportation and Public Realm Director reported that Officers had continued to work alongside TfL to find solutions to this dangerous junction. He reminded the Committee that TfL were intending to attend the next meeting of this Committee on 24 May to present their outcomes.

 

The Chairman thanked Officers for the amount of time and persistence that had gone in to this large and extremely important piece of work.

 

Daylight/Sunlight Training

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director reported that she would be meeting with the trainer in early May and would therefore propose that training be offered to Members in June 2019 on a date to be confirmed.

 

Daylight/Sunlight – Alternative Guidelines

The Chief Planning Officer and Development Director reported that this would be the subject of a report to this Committee at its June 2019 meeting.

 

Illegal Street Traders on the City’s Bridges

The Assistant Director Public Protection was pleased to report that the Section 101 agreement with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) had been signed and received on 3 April 2019. A joint operation was therefore able to commence immediately and resulted in the seizure of four peanut receptacles. It was expected that prosecutions would follow. The Easter Weekend had also led to further action around Tower Hill.

 

Members were informed that three days of further joint enforcement work was scheduled to take place this week. A report providing Members with a full update on work so far with both LBTH and Southwark would be presented to the next meeting of this Committee.

 

The Chairman stated that he was pleased to hear that joint enforcement action had now begun and thanked Officers

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE CHIEF PLANNING OFFICER AND
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development and advertisement applications determined by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director or those so authorised under their delegated powers since the report to the last meeting.

 

The Chairman reported that he had requested that applicant details also be added to list of applications going forward.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Valid planning applications received by the Department of the Built Environment pdf icon PDF 51 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director detailing development applications received by the Department of the Built Environment since the report to the last meeting.

 

The Chairman reported that he had requested that the names of applicants as well as their agents be added to future reports.

 

RECEIVED.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

PUBLIC LIFT REPORTS pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Reports of the City Surveyor.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received two separate reports of the City Surveyor containing details of the five public escalators/lifts that were in service for less than 95% of the time (report created on 25 March 2019) and of the three public escalators/lifts that were in service for less than 95% of the time (report created on 11 April 2019).

 

The City Surveyor reported that all of the public escalators/lifts had now been returned to service with the exception of Speed House. She added that the Millennium Inclinator was now being inspected on a daily basis with Officers considering alternative means of repair which would be detailed in a report to the next meeting of this Committee.

 

A Member commented that the Millennium Inclinator had recently experienced a record 26 days outage. He stated that this was unacceptable in terms of those needing to use the inclinator to get around the City and that a lasting, long-term solution to this matter was needed as soon as possible.

 

The Chairman reported that he had personally proposed one idea around a solution to Officers informally and stated that he would be happy to meet with the Member to discuss this and other potential ways forward in more detail.

 

Another Member went on to question if the City Corporation had adequate personal liability insurance to cover eventualities such as members of the public struggling and falling/harming themselves due to the Inclinator being out of service. The City Surveyor stated that she would need to look in to this matter and report back to the Member.

 

A Member questioned whether there were cameras monitoring the operation of the Millennium Inclinator to save the need for daily inspections. The City Surveyor confirmed that each lift was fitted with electronic monitoring devices but that daily visual checks were also

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.

Update to Scheme of Delegations pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 12.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment providing Members with an updated Scheme of Delegations to reflect new legislation and responsibilities.

 

The Business Performance Manager reported that this document was ordinarily submitted to the Planning and Transportation Committee approximately every 18 months. There were now proposals for the Department of the Built Environment (DBE) scheme document to form part of an overall Corporate scheme of delegations but, in the meantime, it was proposed that this document should continue to be reviewed at Committee level.

 

A Member questioned how many applications fell into the category detailed at paragraph 103 where permission/consent was granted on or before 1st October 2010 for development which has not already begun. The Business Performance Manager undertook to look in to this matter and report back to the Member.

 

A Member suggested that paragraph 133 should be amended to reflect the fact that it was the Chamberlain who made any payments of Crossrail contributions. The Business Performance Manager agreed with this point and undertook to amend the wording accordingly.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee agrees to the additional terms and amendments to the Scheme of Delegations to allow the DBE to continue its work whilst the full and final Town Clerks overall Scheme of Delegations document is collated.

 

 

 

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

Southwark Bridge South Viaduct Waterproofing pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a Gateway 3/4 Options Appraisal report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Southwark Bridge South Viaduct Waterproofing.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

1)    Approval be given to include waterproofing works to the north approach viaduct within the scope of works and to change the project name accordingly to “Southwark Bridge Approach Viaducts Waterproofing”.

2)    Authority be given to progress the design to Gateway 5 and invite tenders for the work.

3)    Approval be given for £134,000 funding (from identified sums within the Bridge House Estates BHE 50-year Repair & Maintenance Fund) to proceed to Gateway 5.

4)    Approval be given for the project budget of £1,725,000 including the Costed Risk Provision of £200,000, on the basis of recommended option 2.

5)    Authority be given for delegated authority to be given to Chief Officer at Gateway 5 to appoint the successful tenderer and to instruct the Comptroller and City Solicitor to enter into contract, should tenders be returned within budget.

6)    Authority be given for delegated authority to be given to Chief Officer following Gateway 5 to expend identified sums from the project risk register against specified risks.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

City of London Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 15 MB

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking approval of the City of London Transport Strategy for onward submission to the Court of Common Council.

 

The Group Manager, Strategic Transportation, reminded the Committee that they had approved the draft strategy for consultation in October 2018. The consultation ran from November 2018 to January 2019 and attracted over 3,000 responses and 7,000 comments – the vast majority of which were supportive of the strategy and, as such, only minor amendments (which were tracked in the document before Members for ease of reference) had been made as a result.

 

The Group Manager, Strategic Transportation, went on to state that proposals around the delivery of the strategy were clear and that the intention had been to publish a three year delivery plan (to be updated on an annual) basis alongside the document however, this would now need to await the Corporation-wide fundamental review. Nevertheless, it was anticipated that a number of projects outlined within the strategy could commence in the near future.

 

He concluded by emphasising that this was not intended to be a static document with the proposal being to update the Strategy every 5 years and bring regular update reports to the Planning and Transportation Committee to map progress against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the like.

 

The Chairman highlighted that there had been much opportunity for Members to discuss the contents of the Strategy in advance of this meeting with various Briefings offered. He added that the Local Plans Sub-Committee had also debated the document at length.

 

A Member commented that it was difficult to overstate the significance of this document to the City as a whole. He went on to state that, whilst, he felt that this was a very good starting point, much

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

15.

Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Delivery Plan 2019/20 to 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 778 KB

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 15.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment covering the provision of Transport for London (TfL) funding to the City of London Corporation and seeking approval for the formal adoption of the City Corporation’s Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Delivery Plan for 2019/20 to 2021/22.

 

The Group Manager, Strategic Transportation, clarified that the City Corporation were obliged to submit this document to the Mayor of London via TfL. He added that this and the Transport Strategy formed the City Corporation’s third LIP and provided Members with more detail as to how funds would be spent.

 

A Member commented that this illustrated the point that small, local projects could have significant impact and could be delivered in stages. He encouraged Officers to continue to proceed on this basis.

 

A Member suggested that it would be useful for the Committee to be provided with baseline information against targets in terms of monitoring the delivery of the outcomes of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.

 

In response to a question, the Group Manager, Strategic Transportation, confirmed that there was an aspiration to reduce the volume of traffic in the City of London by 50% over the lifetime of the Transport Strategy,

 

RESOLVED – That, Members approve the LIP Delivery Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

City Cluster Vision - A framework for enabling growth pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 16.

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment recommending the adoption of the City Cluster Vision, which is a framework for the transformation of the streets and spaces over the next ten years, in order to successfully manage the projected growth within the Cluster.

 

Officers reported that this was intended as a companion document to the Transport Strategy. Members were informed that the public consultation had attracted a good response rate and that the £3,25 million grant secured from TfL demonstrated the level of confidence placed in the City.

 

A Member suggested that the Cluster might be an appropriate area in which to trial no moving vehicles with a view to closing Leadenhall Street to vehicles by 2024. He referred to the scheme at Lime Street which had given priority to pedestrian users and had proved to be an overwhelming success.

 

A Member stated that the timing of the developments that this Committee had already approved to date would be key in terms of implementing the Vision and suggested that the two should therefore be clearly linked. He went on to state that whilst specific railway stations were referred to within the document, it was important not to lose sight of others such as London Bridge which had a dangerous junction situated nearby.

 

The Deputy Chairman referred to recent consultation and discussion with the City Property Association (CPA) and highlighted that questions around the future identity of the area had been raised. He questioned whether the Committee had any strong views on this beyond referring to the area as the City/Eastern Cluster. Officers reported that they had invited views on this as part of the consultation but that no great consensus was reached.

 

A Member stated that he had concerns regarding utility works and stressed that

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

17.

Update on Ventilation & Extraction requirements for restaurants/cafes pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 17.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director updating Members on ventilation and extraction requirements for restaurants/cafes and on any ongoing enforcement investigations in respect of unauthorised or problematic installations.

 

A Member highlighted that the odour emitted from some of the ventilation and extraction equipment represented a build up of cooking fat which was a main cause of fire in such premises. She went on to point out that flues often ran the length of buildings and suggested that Environmental Health should therefore ensure that they liaise with the Fire Brigade on any visits to premises where this matter was of concern.

 

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the fact that the condition was around both maintaining such equipment and providing evidence of this with the emphasis being on responsible developers and occupiers.

 

RESOLVED – That the report is noted.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee

Minutes:

Extension to the DLR

A Member referred to recent news in the press regarding proposals to extend the DLR from Thames Gateway to Euston and the City Corporation’s support for this. She stated that, if these works were to progress, it would hopefully also allow for the extension of Tower Hill Station. She recognised that, whilst this was out of the City’s jurisdiction, it was a station frequented by a large number of City workers. She questioned whether further details on the proposals would be brought to the Planning and Transportation Committee in due course.

 

Officers reported that the City Corporation had discussed proposals around an extension to the DLR on a confidential basis at this stage and had taken no formal view on the matter. Members were assured that a report on the matter would be brought to the Planning and Transportation Committee in due course if appropriate.

 

Cameras on the City Bridges

A Member questioned whether this Committee or the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee were responsible for the potential provision of cameras on the City Bridges – a matter which she had raised consistently in recent months. She went on to refer to the problem of suicide/attempted suicide on the bridges. She recognised that signs placed on the bridges directing people to where they might get help and work undertaken by the City’s licensing team with premises on and around the bridges had gone some way to addressing the problem but stated that more needed to be done.

 

Officers undertook to report back to the Committee on this matter.

 

At this point, the Chairman sought approval from the Committee to continue the meeting beyond two hours from the appointed time for the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 40, and this was agreed.

 

Electric Vehicle

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

19.

Any other Business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.

Exclusion of the Public

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

 ...  view the full agenda text for item 20.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – 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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Non-Public questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions raised in the non-public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent and which the committee agrees should be considered whilst the public are excluded

Minutes:

There were no additional, urgent items of business for consideration in the non-public session.

 ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.