Agenda and minutes

The Chairman began by welcoming Liam Culleton, Ryan Dignam, Jessica Judge and Omatara Olajide to the meeting who were currently at the City of London on work experience.

The Committee joined the Chairman in thanking Mathew Lawrence who had recently left the Corporation to pursue a research role at the IPPR (institute for Public Policy Research) for this support at Policy Officer to the Committee.  Further, Members noted that a briefing note would be circulated in due course in respect of the role of a Policy Officer.

The Chairman reminded Members that the Annual River Inspection would take place on Friday, 19 July 2013.

Finally, congratulations were expressed to Gary Burks who had recently appeared in the Docklands and East London Advertiser for his continued work at the City of London Cemetery.

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Absalom, Deputy John Bennett, Wendy Hyde, Alastair Moss, Deputy Richard Regan, Delis Regis, Philip Woodhouse and Alderman Sir David Lewis.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 30 April 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2013 be approved.

The list of outstanding actions was RECEIVED.

Wasabi on Bishopsgate – Members were informed that contact had been made with the owners of this establishment requesting that they store their bins in the chamber which was a satisfactory storage area and would not obstruct the streets.

Public Conveniences – Concern was expressed regarding the proper advertisement of the Community Toilet Scheme and ensuring that sufficient notices were displayed in public houses. It was agreed that signage would be reviewed and that Officers should liaise with those involved in preparing the visitor trail map to consider whether details of those establishments that were part of the scheme could be shown on map.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update in respect of the Time Banding Scheme.

Members discussed the usage of the ‘Love the Square Mile’ app and it was noted that work was being undertaken to ensure that reports were being dealt with speedily.  A report on the data usage would be brought to the Committee in November.

RECEIVED.

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

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Directors of the Built Environment and Markets and Consumer Protection which provided details of the key risks for areas that were the responsibility of your Committee for the Department of Markets and Consumer Protection and the Department of the Built Environment.

RECEIVED.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Consideration was given to the annual report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the Air Quality Progress.

The Environmental Health Officer informed the Committee that the Corporation had been awarded £280,000 over 3 years from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund for several projects, and the focus of this work was in the Eastern part of the City.

Joint bids the Corporation was part of had received a total of £560,000 over three years which included working with Bart’s Health National Health Service (NHS) Trust, business engagement and a publicity campaign.

During discussion, reference was made to taxi idling which was reducing as a result of more enforcement; and dust suppression on Upper and Lower Thames Street which was not so successful being located under London Bridge, therefore a trial programme of street washing would be undertaken.

Members noted that the report regarding the benefits and dis-benefits of the 20mph speed limit implementation would be going to Court later in the year and it was agreed to report to this Committee the research that had been undertaken and what other boroughs were doing.

RECEIVED.

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 for two Food Service Enforcement Plans; one for the City of London and one for the London Port Health Authority.

Members referred to page 130 of the report, item 15 (develop options for encouraging businesses to provide Healthy Eating Choices) and considered that this should be removed from the action plan as this was a non-statutory service.  The Assistant Director advised he would remove this from the plan.  He did however inform the Committee that if funding was obtained then this would be of benefit to residents and businesses.

RESOLVED – That,

a)     the City of London Food Service Enforcement Plan 2013 – 2014 be approved; and

b)     the London Port Health Authority Food Service Enforcement Plan 2013 – 2014 be submitted to the next meeting for approval.

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 for the Health and Safety Team’s Intervention Plan 2013 – 2014.

RESOLVED – That the key work areas outlined in the report and detailed in the Health and Safety Intervention Plan for 2013 – 2014 be approved.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection in respect of the Noise Service Delivery Policy and the Noise Complaint Policy.

RESOLVED – That,

a)     the proposed policy document set out in Appendix 1 be approved; and

b)     the trial to share the noise service with Westminster City Council to March 2014 be confirmed.

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

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Chamberlain and Directors of the Departments of the Built Environment, Markets and Consumer Protection and Open Spaces which compared the revenue outturn for the services overseen by the Committee in 2012/2013 with the final agreed budget for the year.

RECEIVED.

Questions were raised as follows –

Illegal ice cream trading – Clarification was sought regarding the reporting of illegal trading out of hours.  It was confirmed that during the hours of 8am – 5pm you should telephone 0207 3323630 or out of hours, telephone 0207 606 3030.

The Chairman congratulated Bryn Aldridge on his recent OBE which he had been awarded for services to the City of London Corporation and to Delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

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

Department of the Built Environment Business Plan 2012 – 2015: Quarter 4 update and Financial Outturn Report

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out the progress against the 2012/13 Business Plan and the Financial Outturn Report of the Department of the Built Environment.

Members referred to Appendix A, which provided details of national indicators and specially made mention to the percentage of household waste which was recycled.  Further to this discussion, it was agreed to arrange a visit to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kent. Which was the facility currently used by the Corporation subject to them continuing with ‘Ideal Waste’.

RECEIVED.

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 press and public be excluded from the meeting to consider item 16 on the Agenda on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2013.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2013 were considered.

Report of the City Surveyor.

Consideration was given to an outcome report of the City Surveyor relative to the Animal By-Product Facility for Smithfield Market.

RECEIVED.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.