Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms, 2nd Floor, West Wing, Guildhall

Contact: Joseph Anstee
tel. no.: 020 7332 1480  Email: Joseph.Anstee@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were recevied from Alderman Gregory Jones and Barbara Newman.

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

2.

Members' Declarations under the Code of Conduct in Respect of Items on the Agenda

Minutes:

There were no declarations.

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

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4 September 2018.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

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

4.

Outstanding References pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Report of the Town Clerk

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Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received a list of outstanding references.

 

Swan Pier

The Director of the Built Environment updated the Sub-Committee. There had been a slight delay to the restoration of the stonework, and further funding would be requested from Resource Allocation Sub-Committee under urgency procedures. The Environment Agency had been updated on the work undertaken. The scheme would comprise of work on the Thames Wall and the old pierhead would be replaced with a new one.

 

22 Bishopsgate

The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that the S278 agreement was nearly complete following discussions with the applicant. The Director of the Built Environment added that officers were working hard to resolve the last stages of the agreement.

 

Dockless Bikes

The Chairman reminded Sub-Committee Members of the Planning & Transportation Committee’s decision to continue with current policy, also fitting it into the Transport Strategy. The item would stay on the outstanding references list as it would be coming back to the Sub-Committee.

 

A Member added that the relevant technology was improving greatly and having designated areas where the dockless cycles could be parked was still a possibility.

 

Fann Street

The Sub-Committee was advised that the experimental traffic order had been made. Members advised that this could be publicised more, as some drivers were not aware that they could make U-turns. The Director of the Built Environment responded that the order was only relevant to a small minority, and that officers would monitor the situation over time.

 

Committee Structure

The Sub-Committee welcomed Deputy Kevin Everett to the Sub-Committee, having been nominated to the Sub-Committee as a representative of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

 

Beech Street

The Director of the Built Environment updated the Sub-Committee. The Gateway 3 report had been approved and baseline information was being collected. Whilst there were no outcomes yet officers

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

5.

Draft Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment, seeking comment on the draft Transport Strategy, to be fed back to the Planning & Transportation Committee when the final draft is presented on 30 October 2018.

 

The Chairman advised Sub-Committee Members that the draft strategy had attracted a lot of media interest and praise for radical and innovative elements of the strategy. A new strategy was important given the expected growth in the near future and it was hoped the draft could be recommended unanimously to the Grand Committee.

 

A Member told the Sub-Committee that they strongly supported the strategy. Radical proposals were what was needed, and whilst some might not be immediately successful this should not be a deterrent. Temporary interventions and timed closures would support the project, particularly in working towards car-free days and pedestrian-priority areas. As it would be useful to have something to make publicity around, Members were advised that planning was underway for a car-free week round St. Mary Axe in September 2019.

 

The Deputy Chairman drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the survey responses, specifically that greenery was the biggest non-transport topic amongst survey respondents. Technology was moving fast, and this could prove useful in taking environmental measures further. Members supported holding a combined meeting with the Open Spaces & City Gardens Committee, along with any other interested Members, to ensure these issues were taken forward, as it would not happen without joined-up thinking at Member and officer level. A cross-cutting reference group could also be set up to involve other stakeholders.

 

A Member added that the proposals were based on sound methodology and changes to the proposals should be based on evidence. The proposals on street obstructions should utilise the Corporation’s powers as the highway authority and it was a statutory duty to

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

6.

Central London Cycle Grid - Quietways pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment advising Members of the completion of the project to deliver two cycle Quietway routes through the City, to support the Mayor of London’s Cycle Vision, and seeking agreement to close the Project. The Director of the Built Environment advised that the project had been ongoing for two years and was ready to be closed, having been completed within the agreed budget at a saving of around £135,000. Officers had been unable to gather post-implementation data due to ongoing construction along or near the routes, but future data would be looked at in Phase 2. A report on Phase 2 would be brought to a future meeting.

 

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee approve the content of the Outcome Report and agree to close the Project.

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

7.

Leadenhall Street, St Mary Axe - Pedestrian Crossing pdf icon PDF 498 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking Gateway 5 approval for Phase 2 of the Leadenhall Street pedestrian crossing project.

 

The Director of the Built Environment advised Members of several amendments to the financial costs of the project. The pre-evaluation budget as set out on the dashboard should be amended from £132,579, to £271,183 of approved of £356,712. The cost of construction as set out on the dashboard should be amended from £520,284 to £458,518. The total estimated cost for Phases 1 and 2 as set out on the dashboard should be amended from £1,125,572 to £976,448.

 

The Sub-Committee was also advised of an amendment to the second approval requested in the recommendations to the report. The Sub-Committee was now asked to approve the allocation of a sum of £371,160 from the LCFEIW payment of the Section 106 agreement for 52-54 Lime Street, to the Phase 2 works, rather than the £432,926 originally set out.

 

The Director of the Built Environment informed the Sub-Committee that the pedestrian crossing project had been approved some time ago. A temporary crossing had been put in place at first, and officers now brought forward a permanent solution. Members were advised of the general arrangement plan set out in the appendix to the report, and that the whole junction would be signalised.

 

A Member asked the Director of the Built Environment to confirm the costs of the projects, as the figures set out initially in the report had been approved by the Projects Sub-Committee, and asked why the figures had now changed. The Director of the Built Environment responded that a saving of around £60,000 had been made on the project due to Transport for London improvements in technology, and assured Members that the amended figures as reported

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

8.

Response to Member's Concerns: Replacement existing street furniture to support City of London Wireless Concession pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment seeking to address Members’ requests for further information and recommending that a trial replacing ten of the columns be undertaken.

 

The City Surveyor advised Members that this was critical to supporting the City’s wireless system and implementing 5G technology soon after it was available. Whilst the footprints of the columns were double the size of existing columns, Highways officers did not think this would have a significant impact. The locations for an initial ten columns had been approved by relevant officers and had undergone an Equality Analysis. The Public Realm team would be updated, and a written protocol had been approved.

 

A Member responded that they supported the recommendations, but asked that the columns be placed as close to the kerb or as close to the building as possible to give the pavement as much width as possible. The Director of the Built Environment said that the placement would be rationalised where they could, but were often dependent on basements and needed to be out of the way of parked vehicles. A report could be brought back after the installation of the initial ten columns, before further delegation was sought. A Member requested that any improvements possible to the placement of columns be made.

 

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee:

 

a)    Grant approval to replace 3 metre columns with taller 8 metre columns, in ten locations (shown in Appendix 2); and

 

b)    That, subject to Members being content with a), delegated authority to be granted to the Town Clerk and Chairman and Deputy Chairman to approve the further replacement of 3 metre columns with 8 metre columns in 150 locations to facilitate the housing of 4G and 5G small cell equipment to improve mobile coverage across the

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

9.

City Public Realm Projects - Composite Outcome Report pdf icon PDF 7 MB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment consolidating the outcome reports for ten City Public Realm projects and seeking approval, subject to the completion of the outstanding works/actions, to close the projects.

 

The Director of the Built Environment gave Members an overview, using slides, of the ten projects undertaken, demonstrating any new features and what the areas had looked like before and after the project. The Director of the Built Environment confirmed that all projects had been completed within budget, and that officers could ask to renegotiate S106 agreements where there had been an underspend.

 

A Member asked why some of the projects had taken so long, as some even outdated the Gateway process, and suggested that it would be good to have a regular portfolio report on City Public Realm projects. The Director of the Built Environment responded that a ten-year plan was devised for CPR and transport projects. This was previously reported annually but could be made firmer. A number of projects had seen significant delays due to changes of staff and priorities changing due to other projects, but officers would strive to ensure projects were closed faster in future.

 

Whilst a Member commended the significant increase in the number of trees over recent years, another Member suggested that a higher number of trees should be targeted. There were still areas where there were very few trees, such as around Fleet Street, and increasing their number would improve the area. Whilst they could not be planted everywhere due to the need for enough space for their roots, a Member suggested looking at alternatives where trees could not be planted.

 

RESOLVED – That, subject to the completion of the of the outstanding works/actions set out in Appendix 1, the projects are closed, and lessons

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

10.

Review of Projects Within the Built Environment Directorate pdf icon PDF 45 KB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Minutes:

The item was withdrawn.

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

11.

Shoe Lane Quarter Public Realm Enhancements - Phase 2 pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

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

Minutes:

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment advising Members of progress on Phase 2 of the Shoe Lane Quarter Public Realm Enhancements. The Director of the Built Environment advised Members that road work with TfL had been completed, and that there had been a lot of successful co-operation with the main developer. The project was on track to be completed by the expected point of occupation in May 2019.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be received, and its contents noted.

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

12.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Sub Committee

Minutes:

A Member asked about the Pay & Display outside Fenchurch Street on Crutched Friars. As there were development hoardings, a two-way cycle lane and cars parked on both sides of the road at night, too much space was being taken up, causing significant safety concerns, particularly ahead of Christmas. The Director of the Built Environment responded that this would be taken away and looked into.

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

13.

Any other business that the Chairman considers urgent

Minutes:

There was no other business.

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

14.

Exclusion of the public

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 as follows:-

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) 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 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

 

Item No.                                            Exempt Paragraphs

15                                                                    3

16 - 17                                                            -

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

15.

Non-public minutes

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2018.

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

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

16.

Non-public questions on matters relating to the work of the Sub Committee

Minutes:

There were no questions.

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

17.

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

Minutes:

There was one item of other business.

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