Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk.

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

Updates were provided as follows:

Ludgate Circus

The Director of the Built Environment advised the Committee that the issue was still being raised at the highest level, and that further meetings with TfL had taken place since the last meeting of the Committee. TfL were taking the issue seriously and currently undertaking an options appraisal, which they would report to the City of London Corporation on by 2 May 2019. Officers would then report to the Committee at its meeting on 24 May 2019.

The Chairman added that the matter was of critical importance and remained one of the highest political priorities for the City of London Corporation. Whilst TfL understood and shared the City of London Corporation’s concerns, it was important to keep TfL focussed on the issue. Members wanted to hear firm details about actions and timescales by May and would continue to communicate a clear message on the matter. There was a significant ongoing risk of fatality if action was not taken.

Daylight/Sunlight Training

A Member argued that the Committee should separate out the desire for Member training and the desire for alternative guidelines on daylight/sunlight, and requested that a report be brought to Committee setting out how the City of London Corporation would go about creating alternative guidelines, including timescales, and the legal implications. The Chairman added that this would require decisions to be made at Committee and agreed that the issues should be separated. Officers agreed to this request and stated that they would undertake to bring a full report on the matter to the Committee for their May 2019 meeting.

A Member added that whilst the training might not take place until the new municipal year, it could still be organised now. Members suggested arranging two dates in May 2019, so that as many Members as possible could attend.

Illegal Street Traders on the City’s Bridges

The Director of Markets and Consumer Protection advised the Committee that a substantive report on the subject would be brought to the July meeting of the Committee. Officers continued to enforce in areas under the jurisdiction of the City of London Corporation, but were still awaiting the ratification of the Section 101 agreement with Tower Hamlets. However, officers understood that would be finalised by the end of the week.

Members expressed their increasing disappointment at the speed at which the matter was being addressed and suggested that a letter be sent from the Chairmen of Planning & Transportation Committee and Port Health & Environmental Services Committee urging Tower Hamlets to complete the process as soon as possible. A Member added that the issue created a number of safety and security concerns, and that they were surprised Tower Hamlets had not acted more quickly. It would be important to complete the process before Easter when a large number of tourists would visit the area.

Fumes

The Committee noted that a report would be brought to Committee in April 2019.

RESOLVED – That the list of outstanding actions be noted, and updated accordingly ahead of the next meeting of the Committee.