Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Alderman Alastair King, Deputy John Absalom, Matthew Bell, Ian Bishop-Laggett, Ben Murphy, Henrika Priest, Ceri Wilkins, Joanna Abeyie and Shahnan Bakth.    Joanna Abeyie and Shahnan Bakth joined the meeting remotely. 

There were no declarations. 

To approve the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Members noted that the notes from the Governance Section of the Committee’s Awayday on 15^th June had been circulated.

Members are asked to note the actions list.

Members noted the Committee’s Outstanding Actions list.

Town Clerk to be heard.

Instrument of Government Attached.

The Town Clerk had circulated a statement in support of a nomination in respect of this vacancy and, being the only Member expressing a willingness to serve, it was RESOLVED, that – Deputy John Fletcher be appointed as Governor to the Aldgate School for a 3-year term, expiring in July 2026.

Town Clerk to be heard.

The Town Clerk advised that  as there has been no responses to the advertisement of this vacancy it would be re-advertised to the wider Court.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, which sought to update Members on the new Social Housing Regulatory Regime, Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), which came into effect on 1 April 2023.

In response to a question, Members noted that officers would provide a breakdown of results by estate but there had previously been a low response rates on some estates.  It was expected that the use of an external company to conduct the survey would maximise returns by offering telephone, on-line and paper options for submitting responses.

RESOLVED, that:

1. Officers develop a performance scorecard for the full range of housing key performance indicators and report on these, together with the TSMs, on a monthly basis with effect from end of June 2023.

2. Responsibility for the oversight and scrutiny of performance be delegated to the Housing Management and Almhouses Sub-Committee (HMASC).

3. Consideration be given to setting up a monthly performance sub-group of the HMASC, with delegated responsibility for the scrutiny and oversight of the key performance indicators and TSMs.

4. Officers explore options for the tenant perception survey and report their findings and recommendations to the October meeting of HMASC.

Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services to be heard in respect of the following:

The Town Clerk had circulated the following updates and Members would receive a further update at the September meeting Committee, ahead of a full progress report to the Ward of Portsoken.

1.         The Ward of Portsoken requests the relevant department of the City of London Corporation to consider improvements to the look and feel of the current public entrance (former rear entrance) to Petticoat Tower, following the removal of the former main entrance as a result of a housing infill project.

The City Corporation’s Environment Team have undertaken a two-phase refurbishment project of improvements to the Artizan Street elevation of the Middlesex Street Estate, following the removal of the ramp leading to the first-floor car park. The first phase of this project, completed a few years ago,  provided an enhanced landscaping scheme.

The second phase includes:

•           The installation of a new bespoke canopy over the residents’ entrance to Petticoat Tower.

•           Provision of signage (including estate and library signage).

•           Options for covering the existing unsightly panels on the first floor (including additional signs or decorative panels).

•           Options for artwork, interpretation panels or further signage at street level adjacent to the walkway alongside the hotel on Artizan Street.

Unfortunately, the second phase of the project was delayed due to the pandemic and planning, design and resourcing issues. The Housing Major Works Team will be taking over this project, with an estimated completion date of March 2024. It should be noted, however, that the design proposals for the relocation of the City of London Police’s Eastern Base, to surplus space in the Middlesex Street Estate, will  include the construction of two projecting ‘feature boxes’ on the Artizan Street façade.  This will significantly enhance the look and feel of the façade, as well as covering the unsightly and unfinished cut

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, in respect of the City of London’s Women’s Project which opened in April 2023. Members noted that the project provided the  City Corporation’s first dedicated accommodation service for women who are homeless and fleeing domestic abuse. By outlining the rationale behind the project's creation, the report explained its significance in fulfilling the City of London's legal and ethical obligations towards these vulnerable women, while also reinforcing its commitment to addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as part of the broader City of London Corporation agenda.

During the discussion the following points were noted:

Members commended an excellent report and imaginative use of grant funding.

The Chair asked if consideration could be given to women with no recourse to public funds.  

The Committee would receive a further report at the end of the year, with a comprehensive business case, to demonstrate the impact of the project and ensure its continuity.

Clarity was sought in respect of those ‘who identify as women’.

Platforms will be used to ensure the rooms are used to capacity and available to surrounding boroughs. 

The resource has a specialist in BAME women. 

The 16-18 year olds would be covered by extra safeguarding measures until age 25.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, in response to a request from the Chair of the Safeguarding Sub Committee, to provide Care Leavers with annual travel cards.  Members noted that the London-wide Children in Care Council (CiCC) had been negotiating with Transport for London to provide free/low cost annual travel cards.  However, this was yet to be agreed, with the current offer being a 50% discount. 

Members noted that the provision of ‘all zones’ travel cards would cost in the region £160,000, whereas the bus pass option would cost just £30,000 pa.   In response to a question from the Chair in respect of available resources for the use of travel cards, rather than bus passes, the Chamberlain advised that there is currently no funding for this proposal.  Therefore, a permanent local offer would need to be prioritised within the existing risk budget, and this had been flagged as a pressure in a submission to the Resource Allocation Sub Committee.

RESOLVED, that:

1.         Costs for annual bus passes be approved for all care leavers, for one year, whilst the London CiCC negotiates with TfL (allowing for up to 18 months if negotiations are extended).

2.   It be noted that the provision of bus passes for care leavers, as part of the City Corporation’s permanent local offer, would need to prioritised within the existing local risk budget. 

Appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee

The Chair was heard in respect of the appointment of the new Chair and Deputy Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee, in accordance with the new Standing Orders agreed by the Court of Common Council in April 2023.   The Town Clerk reminded Members that any departure from this being the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Grand Committee, would need agreement from the Grand Committee.

RESOLVED, that –

Eammon Mullally be appointed as Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee for 2023/24.

Natasha Lloyd Owen be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee for 2023/24.

Members then noted the following updates from the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Chairs of the Sub Committees and Allocated Members and Portfolio Holders:

Health and Wellbeing Board

The Board had approved the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and agreed to commence consultation.  Members of CCS would receive a link to the consultation and the Board and CCS would also receive interim  updates at their September 2023 meetings.

Safeguarding Sub Committee – 19^th June 2023

The draft minutes from this meeting had been included in the ‘information-only’ report pack for July and published, as a draft, on the relevant page on the City Corporation’s web site.

The Chair was very pleased to advise that an Award Ceremony would be taking place in the evening of 17^th July 2023, to recognise the achievements of experienced young people nominated by the Virtual Headteachers. 

Members also noted the report on travel cards for care leavers on today’s agenda.

Allocated Member Vacancy: South Bank Estates

The Town Clerk agreed to follow this up with an email seeking expressions of interest, as there

A Member asked if the City Corporation could extend the loan period for window replacements from 10-25 years, irrespective of age. Also, as some of the works might run over a year, the Leaseholders have asked if this could be reflected in terms of the charges. 

The Chair asked for an joint officer report of the Chamberlain and Housing Consultant in terms of the HRA implications.   Members noted that the Housing Review would complete in October and the Committee would receive a report in November. 

Winter Measures

The Deputy Chair asked if this could be revisited in good time for this winter in terms of thermal curtains and water tank covers, so that we can fully understand take up and cost implications.  

Officers agreed to bring a report to the September Committee.

The Chair introduced the following item of urgent business, relating to the Middlesex Street Estate Communal Heating system.

Members noted that, following discussions with residents, there have been enquiries to whether the City Corporation can revise arrangements (with Leaseholders) in such a way to allow for them to opt out of the new communal heating system and only accept (and pay service charges for) the communal cold water system.  There had been a further request for leaseholders to be allowed to install their own choice of heating system (except for gas) should they choose to opt out.

The Chair advised that this matter was brought to her attention in the immediate run-up to the publication of the agenda for this Meeting, by way of a proposed Motion by Deputy John Fletcher,  and essential advice was required in terms of whether it would be a legal option.  Whilst this is something that the Committee can legitimately look into, given the clear legal, financial and reputational implications, the Chair suggested that it would not be sensible to discuss this matter, let alone agree it, without a supporting officer report and recommendations, with a full set of viable options and implications.   It would not have been possible to prepare such a report in time for this meeting but the Chair noted that this is an urgent matter, with contractors lined up to start work as soon as possible and there is also a pressing need for the installation to take place in good time for the

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 Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To approve the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd May 2023 be approved.

Members are asked to note the non-public actions list.

Members received the Committee’s non-public actions list.

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

There was one question whilst the public were excluded.