Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Caroline Haines, Florence Keelson-Anfu, Alderman Alastair King and Benjamin Murphy.

The following Members joined the meeting remotely Joanna Tufuo Abeyle and James St John Davis.

Deputy Marianne Fredericks declared a standing non-pecuniary interest in respect of per position as a  Governor of the Aldgate School.

In respect of the urgent item of business on the Middlesex Street Estate (Opt-out of Communal heating system), whilst there were no declarations on this matter, the Town Clerk advised that any similar projects going forward would need to be considered on merit, noting that Members are responsible for managing their own pecuniary interests.  NB.  Members were asked to be mindful that,  as soon as they become aware of a potential conflict of interest, they should raise this with the Town Clerk/Monitoring Officer as early as possible, in order to receive timely advice ahead of the relevant Committee meeting.  

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 14^th September 2023.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 14^th September 2023 be approved.

Matters arising

Members noted that there had been some delay to the damp works at the Almshouses, due to access in respect of ill-health, but works were underway.   In respect of other snagging issues, an environmental sensor was being trialled in respect of windows and ventilation.  The installation of CCTV would require Listed Building Consent.

To note the Committee’s outstanding actions list.

Members received the actions list and noted the following updates:

Charges to leaseholders would be covered in a report to a future meeting. 

The  Deed of Variation in respect of the Repairs and Maintenance Contract, would be presented to the Finance and Project and Procurement Committees at the end of this year/early next year, with tracking of the tendering process and resident consultation being monitored by this Committee.

Members noted the previous suggestion for an arbitration/compensation system in respect of missed appointments and poor service.  The Chair advised that this would be considered by the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee in the first instance. 

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk in respect of a proposed change to the Terms of Reference of the HRS Sub Committee, recommended by the Sub Committee, in respect of External Membership and frequency of meetings.

Chair asked if this could be deferred in order to consider appointing external Members with sector experience.   

DEFERRED

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 presented the City of London Corporation’s draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy (2023-27) for approval. Members noted that the draft Strategy had been scrutinised and  endorsed by the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Sub Committee.

Chair thanked the Sub Committee and officers for their work on this comprehensive Strategy.   The Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Sub Committee was in attendance; keen to hear the views of CCS Members and noting that it will be a very dynamic and flexible strategy.   There was a suggestion that the Strategy should make reference to the  5 Business Improvement Districts, to ensure a shared agenda and outcomes.

Members noted that the City Corporation is part of a GLA led partnership, which is represented by all key partners and reports to the Department of Levelling up.   The Corporation enjoys a good working relationship with the London Borough of Hackney and challenges over individual cases are rare.  The Assistant Director assured the Committee that objectives are well aligned across housing, health and commissioning and the Strategy’s initiatives are evident across the Partnership.

The Director agreed to respond outside of the meeting in respect of the total cost of the service, which was not covered in the Strategy. 

RESOLVED, that – the draft Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2023-27, as set out in  in Appendix 1to the report, be approved, subject to the inclusion of the 5 Business Improvement Districts.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of the naming of the City of London Primary Academy Islington (COLPAI) residential development, which will deliver 66 much-needed homes for social rent, and three commercial units. Following several submissions and ballots, the most successful eligible name was “Black Raven Court, derived from the historical Black Raven Court Street name which existed in the area during the 1700s.

RESOLVED, that - the building be named “Black Raven Court” to enable the project team to register it with London Borough of Islington and procure the signage.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, seeking Member support to launch a Violence Against Women and Girls Educational campaign, developed by the City of London Corporation Community Safety Team, alongside the London Boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

Members commended an excellent report, noting particularly the step change being sought in behaviours. The Chair further advised of the work in schools targeting teenage boys; the curriculum is frequently reviewed  by the DfE and gives Schools autonomy to meet the needs of their communities.  The Director of Education agreed to circulate details of this initiative to the City’s schools via weekly communications.  The Virtual Head Teacher was also following up this work in respect of looked after children.  

The Deputy Chair, who represents the Committee on the Police Authority Board, advised that the Board had approved this report at their last meeting and received a briefing from Baroness Casey on significant learnings from her review of the Metropolitan Police.   The Board and various community Groups had asked for use of the acronym ‘VAWG’ to cease.

A Member advised of a similar campaign in a Canadian Town in respect of drinking and consent and their material is available for free if the town is accredited.  The Member agreed to forward the link to the relevant officers.  The Officer advised that both Licensing and the  Police are enhancing their Christmas campaigns.  

Members asked to see any outcomes in terms of changing behaviours in due course.

RESOLVED, that – the commissioning of the campaign be approved.

The relevant Chairs, Portfolio Holders and Allocated Members to be heard.

Vacancy on the Safeguarding Sub Committee

RESOLVED, That – being the only Member expressing a willingness to serve, Eamonn Mullalley be appointed to the Safeguarding Sub Committee for the year ensuing. 

Vacancies on the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee

Members noted that there was one standing vacancy for this Sub Committee, which had been advertised to the wider court and received three expressions of interest, and another following a resignation earlier this week.  It was suggested that the three members expressing an interest be allowed to join today.  However, Members noted the recent amendments to Standing Orders, whereby the Memberships of Sub Committees should only be extended in exceptional circumstances.  Therefore, the Chair suggested, and Members agreed, that the latter vacancy should be filled once all Members of CCS had been given a chance to apply, given that some Members had submitted apologies today and might not be aware of this further vacancy.  Furthermore, all three candidates were Members of the wider Court and not CCS Members.   The Town Clerk agreed to write to all Members of CCS after the meeting, calling for nominations within the next 14 days.  In the absence of any expressions of interest, the vacancy would, once again, be  opened up again to the whole Court.

Following a ballot whereby Eamonn Mullalley received 5 votes, Mark Wheatley received 2 votes and Alderwoman Susan Pearson received 8 votes, it was RESOLVED, that – Alderwoman Susan Pearson be appointed to the Housing Management and Almshouses Sub Committee for the year ensuing. 

Updates from the Allocated Members

Deputy John Fletcher had provided a written update for Members in respect of outstanding items on Middlesex Street and asked officers to keep him appraised of progress.  Members noted that, at a recent resident association meeting, there was strong resistance to

A member asked a question about the lack of consultation over the use and recharging in respect of agency cleaning staff.  The Executive Director, who took up her position in June 2023 advised that, since 2017, the cost for temporary staff had been apportioned to leaseholders.   The Director accepted that there was no consultation at this time; the City Corporation had sought Counsel’s opinion and communications with residents would follow. 

The City of London Women’s Project (information only) report would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee for discussion.   The Director agreed to speak to the Town Clerk in respect of future management of information and decision reports on Committee agendas.  With effect from December the budget reports, which are also for information only, would also appear on the main agendas.

Opt-out of the Communal Heating and Hot Water System

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services. (for Decision)

Late item – Middlesex Heating Opt-out.

The Chair has agreed to receive this report, of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services, and apologised for the late despatch, which had been necessary to ensure that the information was as comprehensive as possible. Members noted that this iteration of the report responded to the outstanding queries from the last meeting and the City Solicitor was in attendance for any further questions.  

During the discussion and questions on this item, the following points were noted:

The City Corporation can compel leaseholders to provide access to flats for inspections/surveys in respect of the replacement heating system. If there are a large number of access refusals then the project could still progress in terms of the pipework, and the heating system would still operate. As a last resort, an injunction could be sought to gain access.

In theory, a challenge to the reasonableness of costs, on the basis that those costs have been incurred contrary to the Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, could be brought before the First-tier Tribunal but would be unlikely to succeed.

Removal of residents from the communal system increases the apportionment, making contributions from the remaining leaseholders higher.  This would also apply to future servicing and repairs costs and component replacement. It would also add an additional financial burden to HRA budgets.

No other City or out of City Estates would be able to opt out as they do not have communal systems. 

Middlesex Street Petticoat Tower was offered the Cadent Scheme but the take-up was low and the Square will not be eligible.

Members expressed some concern as to the highly technical nature of this matter, although they accepted that the current system was at the end of its lifespan.   There was some surprise at this being a gas installation,

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.

RESOLVED – 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.

Item no(s)     Para no(s)

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous Committee meeting.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2023 be approved

To note the non-public outstanding actions list.

The Committee received the non-public Outstanding Actions list.

City Surveyor to be heard.

The City Surveyor was heard.

This item was heard in conjunction with item 14.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of the City Surveyor.