Agenda item

1) Alderman Alison Gowman asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee enquiring about the steps to be taken in responding to the findings of the Environmental Audit Select Committee following their enquiry into Green Finance.

In reply, the Chairman explained that the report launched by the Select Committee, broadly supported the City Corporation’s views on “green finance”, in that, responding to climate change would be a big challenge. Also, investors would need to take the issue into account when making long term decisions and significant barriers would still need to be overcome, particularly with respect to infrastructure investment, in order to assist the transition to a low carbon economy and climate change resilience.

He detailed the measures which the City Corporation continued to support and to deliver and added that further ways of responding to the findings were being looked at. In concluding he stated that he had asked relevant officers to keep the Honourable Member informed.

2) Hugh Morris asked the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee for an update on the proposed 20mph speed limit in the City.

In reply, the Chairman informed Members that his Committee considered the public consultation on the proposal on the 8^th April 2014 and they noted the receipt of 41 responses; made up of 12 objections and 29 messages of support. Three general themes had arisen from the objections namely the impact on motor vehicle journey times and the economic value of this; a preference for other methods to be used to achieve the traffic casualty reductions that the City wishes to achieve; and the coverage of the 20mph limit, both the geographical area and time of day.

He reminded Members that the themes raised by objectors had already been considered in detail in previous reports and as part of the discussions in Committee and by the Court in 2013.  He added that the Planning and Transportation Committee concurred with the officers’ view that the project’s benefits outweighed the objections raised during the consultation and consequently, the 20mph traffic order was agreed for implementation on Sunday the 20^th July. He reported that Transport for London would begin their 20mph experimental order on the same day.

In response to a supplementary question from Hugh Morris, the Chairman explained that, a 30mph limit would remain for the time being in Upper and Lower Thames Street pending the implementation of the Cycle Superhighway. It was further noted that these routes were managed by TfL.

In response to a further supplementary question from Alderman Alison Gowman, the Chairman referred toa Road Safety campaign which was being held during the month of May which would focus on vulnerable road user groups and HGV drivers. He added that the first week would focus on cyclists and car users which would culminate on 9^th May with a road show in Guildhall Yard. He also referred to the 20mph speed limit which was in force in neighbouring boroughs.

3) Reverend William Campbell-Taylor asked a question of the Chairman of Policy & Resources Committee concerning the legal requirements that fall upon businesses in the City when it comes to making voter appointments.

In reply, the Chairman stated that there was no legal requirement for businesses to appoint voters, it was an entitlement. He explained however that where an entitlement to appoint more than one voter was exercised then there was a legal requirement that the appointments made must, as far as practicable, reflect the composition of the workforce. He added that the relevant Act put the onus on the business to undertake this requirement although the City Corporation accepted a responsibility to encourage and help businesses to fulfil their obligations and he detailed the steps taken by the Public Relations Office to promote this requirement. He stated that he had some sympathy with the view that there was more to do on this matter and work would therefore continue in this regard although Honourable Members could play their part through the contact they regularly had with City businesses.