Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Elizabeth Rogula, Tijs Broeke, Anne Fairweather and John Chapman.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 18 May 2021.

RESOLVED, that the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 18 May 2021 were approved as an accurate record.

Matters arising

With regards to a question raised by a Member concerning noise nuisance by buskers on ?, Officers confirmed a meeting was hosted by Southwark Council last week and the Deputy Chairman attended along with other Councillors. It was hoped the collaboration would bring changes on buskers and needed enforcement. Another meeting would take place in 4-6 weeks.

A Member enquired why buskers were able to use amplification. It was felt byelaws could stop its use but resource was needed to resolve the problem.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk setting out the current list of outstanding actions:

Electric Vehicle Charging

Officers confirmed there had been progress, and they were pressing DCCS for an update on the Middlesex Street plan and working closely on securing funding for kit.

Members were reminded that Estates generally provided charging spots themselves. The City was only developing sites for commercial/visitor use only and did not want to become a destination for recharging, only to provide for top ups for taxis, etc. Officer were looking to expand numbers at hubs but not significantly, with the Baynard House facility as a key site.

A Member requested a solution for East City residents and businesses. As the Corporation had not provided options in timely manner, the Member asked if residents were able to access the _? facility for free. The Committee supported this suggestion as a practical solution.

Whilst it was acknowledged these car park bays were not significantly used, this decision could not be made by this Committee and Officers agreed to follow up with the Planning & Transportation Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

Garden Waste Recycling

Officers confirmed there were no updates since the last meeting.

Measurement and mitigation options for operational rail noise from London Underground affecting the Barbican Estate

Members were informed that a letter was sent to London Underground regarding the concern and frustration that only half the issue had been dealt with, and Officers awaited an imminent response.

A Member voiced concern that those residents to the east have the worse situation and asked Officers to keep up the pressure as London Underground had given no indication that they would carry out the work soon.

It was noted that the closure of the Northern Line Bank Branch would be shut for a significant time

The Port Health and Public Protection Director to provide an oral update on the latest position.

The Committee received an oral update from the Port Health and Public Protection Director concerning COVID-19 and the UK's impact of leaving the EU (Brexit) on Port Health & Public Protection.

COVID-19

The Government announced yesterday that most Covid guidance and legal restrictions would be lifted in England on the 19 July 2021. Officers awaited details of best practice; however, guidance remained on people meeting others outside where possible and the recommended use of face coverings in crowded public settings. The City will therefore look very different with clubs able to open and table service no longer mandatory.

The City’s Public Protection Teams will continue to engage with businesses to provide advice and guidance. However, in light of the latest announcement, the City Covid Accreditation scheme is currently under review.

Members were reminded that the FSA was due to publish a roadmap for food hygiene interventions. This has recently been published and considered a reset of the inspection programme. Officers will bring details of the plan up to 2023 to the September Committee meeting. 

Ports and HARC have continued to operate and both have been extremely busy this year with HARC experiencing a 40% increase on normal June levels. Similarly, Port Health are running at 25+% above normal levels although this may dip from July as a result of the impacts of the end of quotas in June and the Suez Canal backlog.  Port Health continue to work closely with the port operator to put procedures in place to increase capacity, e.g. approving extra seal check areas and numerous meetings with the trade to address problems have taken place.

Brexit

The implementation of the next phase of controls on high-risk imported food and feed is due to come in on the 1 Oct.  This is the introduction of 100% documentary checks.

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Committee considered a report of the City Surveyor regarding Denton Pier and Pontoon Overhaul Works – Gateway 2 Report.

A Member enquired where is Denton Pier was and how often it was used. Officers confirmed it was located on the Thames near Gravesend and the pier was an important strategic launch service undertaking a number of statutory requirements and used by vessels daily.

Members were advised that the pier was 55 years old and the works would help it continue for the next 25 years. Members were interested to understand how long piers generally lasted and whether it was worth looking to move the facility to the new site of the markets, rather than spending £1m on a pier the Corporation did not own.

Officers confirmed the resiting of the markets was a long way off, and the site might not be suitable for launches but could be considered in the future. Officers agreed to investigate how long piers lasted.  

RESOLVED, that the Committee:

·         Budget of £50,000 for a condition survey and options appraisal is required to reach the next Gateway;

·         Note the total estimated cost of the project at £850,000 (excluding risk);

·         Note the estimated costed risk of £150,000.

Report of the Director of Markets & Consumer Protection (TO FOLLOW).

The Committee received a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding MST Fees 2021/22.

RESOLVED, that the Committee agree the proposed fees for 2021/22.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Committee noted a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection regarding the Waste and Street Cleansing Annual Report and Improvement Plan.

The Chairman thanked the Team for the fantastic service keeping the City clean. Members queried how dirty the City got during lockdown and if the stats provided gave the full picture as the City was worse than the national benchmark.  

Members were advised that whilst there was a lower footfall, there were less resources and the service still kept above the London benchmark. Officers were monitoring the situation closely following the new reductions to ensure standards were maintained and resources were in the right place as recovery and footfall would likely have an impact.

With regards to the questions regarding the use of electric vehicles and co2 savings, Officers required more time and data to make a proper comparison and agreed to bring this to a future Committee meeting.

A member enquired if there were particular areas in the City that were prone to graffiti noting the increase. Member were advised that the increase was likely due to there being less people in City so they were able to come unnoticed. This was being monitored by Officers who were reacting quickly and reporting these cases of ASB to the Police. It was noted that if could be difficult to engage with owners and rail owners to remove the graffiti when on private land.

A Member advocated for the introduction of reverse vending machines in the City which were popular in other countries. Officers confirmed none were in place yet but they were looking for Partners for suitable areas.

In response to a question, Officers confirmed that the City’s drinking fountains would return on 19 July 2021.

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 in relation to Air Quality Annual Status Report.

The Chairman highlighted the huge importance of climate challenges issues noting that the Environment Bill was currently going through Parliament and Lord Tope supported the Corporation’s amendments. It was noted that WHO would be publishing guidelines in September.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Joint report of the Chamberlain, Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee noted a joint report of the Chamberlain, Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and Director of Open Spaces regarding the Revenue Outturn 2020/21.

Highlights included an underspend of £2.2m, £1m had been put into a reserve fund for the ports due to Brexit implications and all had been done to secure grants with successful bids for waste cleaning and recycling.

A Member saw lots of the savings to be opportunistic and questioned how much of underspend was planned and could be implemented in the future. Officers agreed some of the extra income was opportunistic and they would take advantage when possible. The Business Plan was being prepared and would take budgeting, the expansion of ports and late trade issues not yet budgeted for into account. Some of the reserve transfer due to £300k in grant funding from Defra and would be carried over to next year and ringfenced.

Members were reminded that the accounts must always be cost neutral hence the move to the reserve fund.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted and carry forward the local risk underspending to 2021/22.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning City Lighting Strategy Update.

The Chair stated that this was an interim report, requested in partnership with the P&T Chairman, following concern from Members at the lack of progress on buildings not applying the necessary efficiency benefits and keeping lights on permanently.

Officers were proud of the ground-breaking LED Programme and noted that budgetary savings were not as high due to the increase in energy prices. The right steps were being taken to reduce usage and the carbon footprint in the City, and the aim was to include setting lighting in framing of climate action which would require significant engagement with businesses and developers. Planning campaigns and new guidance was being developed.

The Deputy Chairman stated that the street lighting project was completed to time and budget with phenomenal savings and should be highlighted in communications from the Media Team.

A Member noted that building managers were surveyed and keen to change but were receiving push back from their tenants. It was hoped that the formal guidance would help support change. Officers agreed to engage with the Member concerning a lighting code of practice.

A Member observed that there was nothing in the strategy regarding lighting for safety for public exercise and encouraged engagement with sports and activity clubs. Officers confirmed they could directly influence how lights were managed against ASB and safety for exercise.

A Member suggested advertising how easy it is to change to LED lighting and the benefits to all residential estates.

In response to a request for practical advice that Members could share now to encourage constituents to switch lights off, Officers agreed to check what advice was currently available in advance of the upcoming planning advice and guidance coming for best

There was one question:

Damage caused by Euros

A Member reported that the damage caused during and after the football was worse than and New Year’s Eve and asked what lessons had been learnt in advance of the World Cup next year, and whether the budget cuts would effect the ability to respond. Officers confirmed that cleansing colleagues had reported significant littering in the City, but the contractors were expected to clean up after big events as part of their contract.

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

There was no other business.

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 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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2021.

RESOLVED, that the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

Joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and Director of Open Spaces.

The Committee noted a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and Director of Open Spaces regarding Port Health and Environmental Services Debtors for the period ending 31 March 2021.

There were no questions.

There was one item.