Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which discussed the options for public access through the Paternoster Square development, including Paternoster Square and the surrounding lanes and alleys.

The Committee discussed the implications of declaring the land to be a City walkway in relation to both the maintenance of the Square and the ability to remove protesters in the event of any protests similar to the Occupy movement, which it was noted had been very well handled by the owners of the Square.

RESOLVED – That:

a)        Paternoster Square, Paternoster Lane, Paternoster Row, Canon Alley, Queen’s Head Passage, Rose Street and White Hart Street shown hatched black on city walkway declaration plan CWDP - 01 - 08 at Appendix 2 to this report be declared as City Walkway in accordance with the resolution annexed at Appendix 1 to this report subject to the limitations contained in the agreement described in recommendation (C) below;

b)        the Town Clerk be authorised to insert an appropriate date for the coming into force of this resolution;

c)         the Comptroller and City Solicitor be authorised to enter into an agreement with the owner of the land to be declared to be a city walkway to provide for the city walkway to be subject to limitations enabling the public right of way and of access to be temporarily suspended to the extent and for the minimum period that is required for any or all of the following purposes:—

(a)      In the interests of public safety or security, where the need is first confirmed by a chief officer of the City of London Corporation or by an officer of the City of London Police holding at least the rank of superintendent; other than in cases of imminent threat, where such confirmation must be obtained within six hours of the suspension coming into force (or the suspension must cease).

(b)      To permit works of maintenance, repair or renewal of the city walkway subject to prior approval from the City of London Corporation, which must be requested not less than 28 days prior to the proposed date of suspension; save in the case of emergency or de minimis works requiring less than 4 hours’ suspension of access, which works must be notified to the City within 48 hours of such suspension coming into force.

(c)       Force majeure.