Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Robert Duffield, John Absalom, Alderman Nick Anstee, Kevin Everett, Deputy Pauline Halliday, Dr Peter Hardwick, Vivienne Littlechild, Deputy Gerald Pulman, Delis Regis, Matthew Richardson, Jeremy Simons  and Deputy Michael Welbank.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 1 May 2012 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2012 were approved as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING : -

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – River Pageant (Item 6) – The Chairman reported the successful cleansing operation following the River Pageant and staff in the cleansing and maintenance teams were congratulated on their efforts.

Annual Air Quality Monitoring Review and Air Quality Strategy Progress Report (Item 13) – Members were informed that a letter had been sent to the Mayor of London from the Leaders of Westminster City Council and Camden Borough Council and the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee regarding improving Air Quality in London, a copy of which was tabled at the meeting.

Annual River Inspection (Item 18) – The Chairman thanked those present that were able to attend the recent Annual River Inspection which he reported was a successful and enjoyable day.

To receive a presentation.

The Committee received a presentation from Ian Blackburn (Love Clean Streets) which informed Members regarding the new mobile phone app for ‘Love the Square Mile’ which enabled easy reporting of environmental issues from your mobile phone.

The Chairman thanked Mr Blackburn for his presentation and informed Members that the links to the app for the various devices had been circulated via e-mail.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Town Clerk, prepared on behalf of the Governance Working Party, to seek comments, if any, from this Committee on the governance arrangements introduced in 2011 and the impact they may have had on the operation of this Committee.

RESOLVED : - That it be noted that there were no areas of concern that required reporting to the Governance Working Party.

Report of the Town Clerk (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Town Clerk regarding the dissolution of the Department of Environmental Services and the involvement of the Chairman of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee in the appointment of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces.

The Chairman advised that this report would also be submitted to the Open Spaces and Markets Committees for information.

RESOLVED : - That,

i)              the report be noted by the Corporate HR Unit and be required to make the necessary preparations to give Port Health and Environmental Services Committee appropriate representation in the future appointments of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces; and

ii)             the Terms of Reference of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee be amended at the next appropriate opportunity to reflect the wishes of the Committee.

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

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Chamberlain, the Director of the Built Environment, the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces which compared the revenue outturn for the services overseen by this Committee in 2011/12 with the final agreed budget for the year.

Following a question raised regarding a bid for carry-forward of funds to 2012/2013, discussion ensued regarding the installation of a 4^th Uri-lift public convenience,  Members were informed that it was unlikely that a Uri-lift would be installed in the Aldgate area during this financial year due to the works that were scheduled to start shortly.  Members considered that Smithfield (Charterhouse Street) should be considered as an area with a need for a Uri-lift, however, prior to this, market traders would need to be consulted and a report would be required to be considered by this Committee at any decision stage. 

In respect of the Community Toilet Scheme, there were currently 60 premises operating within the scheme and officers were actively ensuring that the logo for the scheme was adequately displayed on every premise.

Members briefly discussed the issues of adequate public conveniences outside or close to Fabric nightclub.

Provision also for public conveniences for women was also requested to be re-considered by officers, although it was noted that this was likely to be at significant cost to the Corporation and it was agreed to include a response within the report on Public Conveniences due to come to this committee in November.

RESOLVED :- That the revenueoutturn report for 2011/12 and the proposed carry forwards of underspendings to 2012/13 be noted.

Oral report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Members received an oral update from the Director of Highways and Cleansing regarding the Enterprise contract.  The Director reported that the operation was performing well and the Corporation was working closely with Enterprise to improve communications. 

Report of the Director of the Built Environment (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update regarding progress in the implementation of the Time Banding Scheme for bagged waste (sacks) and loose recycling since 1 April 2012.

The Committee congratulated the Cleansing team for their continued efforts.

RESOLVED : - That,

i)              the report be noted; and

ii)             an independent customer survey be undertaken before the end of the financial year of 2012/13.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out the end of year performance for the Department against the KPIs on the business plan.

RESOLVED : - That the quarter 4 performance indicators for 2011/12 against the key performance indicators and Service Response Standards and the financial and statistical information contained within be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces which set out the Business Plan progress information for 2011-2012 for the Port Health and Public Protection Division of the former Department of Environmental Services (DES), now part of the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection (M&CP).

RESOLVED :- That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided information on enforcement activity at Middlesex Street Market.  The report outlined the further enforcement action taken to date and confirmed that inspections would be undertaken on a regular basis in order to ensure that encroachments on City pavements are removed.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces (copy attached).

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Open Spaces which provided an update on the interim position regarding vehicle access permit charges.

One Member requested consideration of the impact on parking outside the Cemetery and the Director of Open Spaces confirmed that this would be looked at as part of the consultation.

RESOLVED : - That

i)              the appointment of Marketing Assistance Ltd at a cost of £9,800 to undertake consultations and research to identify public perception towards the introduction of a charge for permits and other opportunities to generate income, to support future management of the Cemetery be approved; and

ii)             a detailed report on the outcome of the consultation undertaken by Marketing Assistance Ltd., including the matter of charging for vehicle access into the site be received.

There were three questions raised : -

Cory Energy from Waste Plant –

A question was raised regarding the working environment of the Energy from Waste Plant and the possible health impacts on staff.  The Director advised that he would be happy to mention to the management at Cory the concern raised by the Member, however, the City of London Corporation was not the enforcing authority for Cory.

Rose Alley –

Concern was expressed regarding the cleanliness of Rose Alley in Bishopsgate which was also renowned for rough sleepers.  The Director confirmed that Rose Alley would be looked at and the issue of rough sleepers would be referred to the Community and Children’s Services department.

Public Swimming on the River Thames –

A final question was raised regarding bathing in the river Thames and whether the water quality in central London had improved significantly to allow for bathing to take place.  The Director advised that the Port Health Authority byelaw, which came into force on 1st July 2012, did not ban swimming in the Thames; it controlled swimming between Putney Bridge and Crossness (just below the Thames Barrier) by making it necessary to get the prior consent.  It was introduced primarily for safety reasons.

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

There were no items of urgent 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.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.