Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Bennett, Andrew McMurtrie, Hugh Morris, and Deputy James Thomson.

Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman started by introducing Marianne Fredericks to her first meeting as a Member of the Committee and thanked Gerald Pulman, who had recently retired from the Court of Common Council, for his service and contributions to the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

The Chairman also added congratulations to two members of the City of London Waste Collection and Street Cleansing Team who had recently been awarded the British Empire Medal for their voluntary service to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

There were none.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 24 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 24 November 24 be approved.

Matters Arising

In response to a Member’s concern, the Assistant Director of Cleansing Operations and Street Environment advised that the Cleansing Service were working closely with the City of London Police to deter public urination in Bishopsgate, with 13 Fixed Penalty Notices having been issued recently. In response to an additional question, the Assistant Director added that the use of liquid-repelling anti-urine paint, recently introduced in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, was currently being looked into. Members offered to suggest areas suitable for its introduction in the City of London if and when an agreement was reached with the supplier.

To note the current list of Outstanding Actions.

The Committee received the current list of Outstanding Actions. Members noted that details of the outcome of recent meetings with Mobile Shredding companies operating in the City of London would be provided to this Committee and the Planning and Transportation Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Outstanding Actions be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk that sought approval to the Terms of Reference for subsequent submission to the Court of Common Council.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the terms of reference of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee be approved for submission to the Court of Common Council in April 2016;

b)    any further changes required in the lead up to the Court’s appointment of Committees be delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment that provided details of the progress against the current Recycling Action Plan. Members were advised that the current recycling rate was 31%, which did not meet the 2015 target of 45% set by the City of London Waste Strategy 2013. The Assistant Director of Cleansing Operations and Street Environment explained that this was due to the introduction of the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) Code of Practice in October 2014 which set stricter quality standards for recyclable materials being sent for reprocessing. He added that the City Corporation’s recycling materials were of a consistently high quality.

In response to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director advised that recycling targets and plans were benchmarked against other major European cities. The high proportion of Flats in Central London compared with other areas and cities made high recycling rates difficult to achieve. In response to a Member’s suggestion, the Assistant Director added that incentive initiatives to encourage residents and business to recycle, similar to those used in other London Boroughs, would be looked into.

In response to a Member’s request, that Assistant Director advised that Amey and the Middlesex Street Estate Managers would be contacted regarding the level of recycling and general waste storage.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment that provided details of the progress made during August – September 2015 against the 2015/18 DBE Business Plan for Public Conveniences, Waste Collection, Street Cleansing, Waste Disposal and Transport Services.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Open Spaces that provided an updates regarding the progress made against the elements of the Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2015-18 which related to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium.

The Superintendent of the Cemetery and Crematorium also provided an update regarding the progress of The Shoot project. He advised that the major works had been completed in December 2015. Members noted that they would be given the opportunity to view the site of The Shoot project at the bi-annual Committee visit to the Cemetery and Crematorium, which would be taking place from 4:30pm on Tuesday 13 September 2016.

In response to a Members’ questions regarding the reduction in market share of cremations, the Superintendent advised that, although there was a large local Muslim population whose preference it was to use Muslim-specific cemeteries, he believed the trend would improve due to an increasing local Eastern European Christian population. He added that Hindu and Sikh cremation and burial services were provided regularly.

In response to an additional question, the Superintendent advised that the legislation relating to the provision of burial and cremations for humans prohibited animals from being buried or cremated on the same site.

RESOLVED – That the positive progress made towards delivering the Open Spaces Departmental Business Plan 2015-18 be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection that provided an update regarding the progress made against the Key Performance Indicators and objectives outlined in the Business Plan of the Port Health and Public Protection Division during August – November 2015.

In response to a question from the Deputy Chairman, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that a meeting would be taking place with representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture shortly to discuss the animal transportation issues encountered with United Airlines.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding the risk management procedures in place within the Port Health and Public Protection Division.

In response to a Member’s question regarding the target date to address Air Quality issues by December 2018, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that many actions within the City of London Air Quality Strategy were being dealt with sooner but others, like those outside of the City Corporation’s remit for instance, relied on consultation with other organisations and local authorities.

In response to a Member’s concern regarding the risk to Repair Delays, currently amber, the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection advised that the performance of MITIE had improved. He added that the maintenance contract was due to be re-tendered next year.

RESOLVED – That the actions taken in the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection to monitor and manage effectively risks arising from its operations, be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection that sought approval to the City of London Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation 2016.

RESOLVED – That the City of London Standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation 2016 be approved.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection that sought approval to the increase to be applied to the Schedule of Charges in respect of services provided at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC) for 2016/17.

In response to a Member’s suggestion to apply a higher increase, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that the proposed charges were based on competition from Europe as well as within the United Kingdom and that officer hours involved in the handling of different species had been taken into account.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the proposed charges be adopted and applied at the HARC, with effect from 1 April 2016 or as soon as it is practicable thereafter;

b)    the proposed Byelaws be approved and that it be recommended to the Court of Common Council that the Byelaws be made; and

c)    the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

In response to questions regarding rough sleepers within the City of London, Members were advised that the City of London Police were working closely with the Safer City Partnership at known locations of rough sleepers. One Member noted that she would like provide details of how to report locations to relevant Officers via the Town Clerk.

In response to a Member’s question regarding unlicensed nut sellers, the Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that Members and the public could report sellers via a 24 hour telephone line. Street Environment Officers were available 24 hours a day to attend reported locations of the unlicensed nut sellers.

Any items of business that the Chairman may decide are urgent.

The Chairman advised that the dates for the following Committee events had been confirmed:-

·         Annual River Inspection, 8 July 2016;

·         Bi-Annual Cemetery and Crematorium Inspection, 13 September 2016 at 4:30pm;

·         Annual Thames Fishery Experiment, 15 October 2016.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the 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 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2015.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2015 be approved.

Matters Arising

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that an additional report regarding the extension of the additional office accommodation lease for the Port Health offices at Manorway House would be submitted to the next appropriate Committee meeting.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment that sought approval to the annual review of fees and charges for services provided by the City’s Street Cleansing, Waste Collection and Public Convenience services for 2016/17.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Open Spaces that sought approval to the annual review of fees and charges for the services provided at the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium in 2016/17.

There were none.

There was none.