Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Barker, Nigel Challis, George Gillon, Deputy Revd Stephen Haines, Dr Peter Hardwick, Alderman Ian Luder, Deputy Wendy Mead, Deputy John Owen-Ward, Deputy Gerald Pulman, Deputy Richard Regan, Jeremy Simons and Deputy Michael Welbank.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 4 July 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2012, were approved as a correct record subject to the inclusion of Robert Merrett in the list of attendees.

MATTERS ARISING

Item 3 – Annual Air Quality Monitoring Review and Air Quality Strategy Progress Report – The Chairman reported the success of the Air Quality meeting between Camden Borough Council, Westminster and the Greater London Authority held earlier that day.

Item 4 – Love Clean Streets – Members were informed that the launch of the mobile phone app for ‘Love the Square Mile’ to promote its use would be dependent on advice from Members.  Members were informed further that the number of app downloads and the usage of the app was recorded and could be reported to the Committee.  Members noted that prior to the creation of the app, a strong business case was put forward based on evidence collected from Lewisham Council that demonstrated the app could deliver expectations.

In addition, Members noted that information regarding the Community Toilet Scheme hoped to be combined in the City Visitors app.

Item 7 - Revenue Outturn 2011-2012 – Members were informed that as part of the Public Conveniences Report due to be submitted to the Committee in November 2012, the latest position in respect of the installation of a 4^th Uri-lift would be included.

Enterprise Contract Update (Item 8) – Members noted an update regarding the contract would be provided to the next meeting.

Time Banding Scheme Update (Item 9) – An update would be presented to the Committee in May 2013.

Enforcement activity at Middlesex Street Market (Item 12) – Members noted that the area remained reasonably clear of street traders.

Questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee – Rose Alley (Item 14) – Members were informed

To receive a verbal update from the Director of the Built Environment and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

The Director of Highways & Cleansing, Built Environment and the Assistant Director Environmental Health & Public Protection provided a verbal report regarding the success of the operations during the Olympic/Paralympic periods.

Alderman Anstee, former Chairman of the London Marathon commended both the City of London Corporation and the City of Westminster for all their efforts.

A resolution was passed by the Committee formally thanking both Directors and their teams for their hard work and efforts during an exciting and challenging time.  The Chairman asked that the Directors pass on these thanks to their teams.

Report of the Town Clerk.

Consideration was given to a report of the Town Clerk regarding the Epping Forest Act 1878 which provided that four Verderers be elected to serve on the Epping Forest & Commons Committee and that these elections should take place every seventh year.  The Act permits corporation and companies on the Register of Commoners to vote by proxy.

Further to a brief discussion, it was

RESOLVED: - That the Chairman be not appointed as proxy to voter on behalf of the City in the southern parishes in the election of Verderers 2013.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which informed Members that following a number of significant changes in policy at national and local levels, the City of London’s current Waste Strategy 2008 – 2020 required a review.

RESOLVED: - That

i)                 the decision to produce a New Waste Strategy for the City of London which addressed the changes in national and local policy together with the new contractual arrangements be endorsed; and

ii)               the process and timeline as described in the report be agreed.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Open Spaces in respect of the overall Open Spaces Department Business Plan for 2012-2015 that related to the City of London Cemetery and Crematorium which were presented to this Committee on 1 May 2012.  This report presented a review of progress on the Plan and a summary of financial performance, as it related to the Cemetery and Crematorium, for the four month period up to 31 July 2012.

RESOLVED:- That the progress made in implementing the Business Plan be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment covering the period April 1^st 2012 – July 31^st 2012.  Progress was noted on items of particular relevance to the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

The Director informed Members that a report regarding the effectiveness of the Renew Recycling Bins would be brought to the Committee in September 2013 to include information around efficiency once the review of the installation of the programme had been conducted.  Members noted that at present the contract allowed for a further 20 bins to be installed across the City to bring it up to 100.

RESOLVED: - That,

i)                 progress, relevant to the work of this committee, on the Business Plan be noted;

ii)               the performance indicators and objectives for 2012/13 be noted;

iii)              the financial and statistical information contained within the report be noted; and

iv)             a report be brought to the Committee in September 2013 regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the Renew Recycling Bins.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which provided an update regarding progress against the Business Plan of the Port Health and Public Protection Division (PH&PP) of the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection (M&CP), for Period 1 (April–July) of 2012-13 against key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives outlined in the M&CP Business Plan.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided Members with information regarding the Business Risks identified within the Department of the Built Environment in accordance with the City’s risk management framework as approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee in October 2011.

RESOLVED: - That the report be noted and future reviews, on an exception basis be incorporated into the periodic departmental performance reports (normally quarterly in the case of the Planning & Transportation Committee and 4 monthly in the case of Port Health and Environmental Services Committee).

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which sought approval of the “Economic Crime Protocol for the City of London”.  This protocol, the first in the UK, sought to bring together enforcement partner organisations to provide an effective way of targeting economic crime and supporting the victims of economic crime.

A brief discussion took place around prosecution and the importance of an effective working relationship between the Corporation and the Police. 

Members agreed that residents/stakeholders should be consulted prior to the document being endorsed and also requested information regarding the responsibilities of relevant bodies.

Members noted an amendment on page 81 of the report – “Financial Services Authority”.

RESOLVED : -That prior to the protocol being endorsed relevant stakeholders including residents be consulted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection responding to comments made by Members that there was insufficient provision in the City at night to deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB) and public nuisance, primarily patron noise, from licensed premises, particularly in Carter Lane. The report outlined actions to improve the service, using Carter Lane as a template for other areas and suggested the Licensing Steering Group set up by The Town Clerk as the appropriate body to oversee these improvements.

RESOLVED : - That the protocol be endorsed.

A question was raised in the context of the upcoming development of St Alphage House as to whether our arrangements could be improved to ensure nuisance to stakeholders (including residents) was kept to a minimum.

Reference was made to the development currently in progress at Moorgate exchange where intervention by a Member had resulted in the duration of the deconstruction work in terms of days being reduced in return for an extension of the hours worked. It appeared to him that this had been a successful change and that such flexibility could be advantageous in other developments. In the case of this latter development another Member observed that, despite the changes referred to above, a good deal of inconvenience had still occurred due to dust affecting properties and that pre-consultation had been inadequate

The Assistant Director Environmental Health & Public Protection, Markets & Consumer Protection advised that at present the St Alphage House development had been taken over by Brookfield but as yet there were no definite plans to proceed either with demolition or subsequent construction.  It had been referred to that there potentially may be demolition planned to start in January 2013.

Discussion ensued regarding the hours of work around the Barbican, which were normally 0800-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900 – 1400 Saturday with Quiet Hour periods applied 1000-1200 and 1400-1600 weekdays except where variations were agreed or for engineering necessity.

Members noted that the documents agreed to follow our Code of Practice (COP) and liaison with local neighbours was critical to compliance with the COP.  In addition, Keltbray, the prospective de-constructor, were well aware of the need to speak to the Barbican Association as well as local House groups and it was something the Corporation would undoubtedly ensure happened; checking with them when there may be something

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

(This item was considered at item 13).

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the London Gateway Port which was currently under construction within the boundary of the London Port Health Authority and preparations for the opening of the Port in the last quarter of 2013 had to be put in place so that the Authority could meet the demands placed upon it.

This would entail recruiting sufficient staff and securing office accommodation as well as the provision of IT and other equipment.

The costs associated with this project were not known at present; however, start-up funding was available via a reserve fund held by Port Health. Additional funds may be sought at a later stage.

This was an exciting development which presented an opportunity for the Port Health Authority to show that it could meet the challenge and provide a first class service to the international companies that would be using the new port.

It was noted that as a priority, Officers were also in discussion with staff regarding their preferences in respect of their work location.

RESOLVED: - That,

i)                 existing staff be redeployed to London Gateway with new employees back filling the vacancies left by those transferring;

ii)               funding for the proposal be via the Products of Animal Origin Reserve Fund in the first instance with any additional start-up costs being the subject of a separate report; and

iii)             further report be submitted to your Committee within six months to provide an update on the position.

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.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2012.

The Non-public Minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2012 were considered.

Report of the Chamberlain.

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces which informed Members regarding arrears of invoiced income outstanding as at 30 June 2012.

RECEIVED.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the animal by-products facility for Smithfield Market.

RECEIVED.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.