Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Oliver Sells (Chairman), Deputy Keith Bottomley and Deputy Alastair Moss.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 1 December 2020.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 1 December 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the Bank Junction Improvements Project. The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report, drew Members’ attention to the key points and outlined the proposals.

The Sub Committee then proceeded to discuss the proposals. Members raised the possibility of delay to the TfL Bank Station upgrade project and queried whether there had been any indication from TfL on reopening the Waterloo & City line, which would be material for the usage of the junction. Members expressed some disappointment at the binary nature of decisions on the consultation and sought assurances on the format and reach of the consultation, given many users of the junction were not currently in the area.

The Director of the Built Environment advised that the proposed options in the consultation were limited by the complexity and scale of the project and the constraint of the current timescale. The Sub Committee noted that the Bank Station upgrade project, as well as TfL’s Bishopsgate scheme, were currently uncertain factors. Reaching people as part of the consultation would be a challenge, but there were lessons from the successful Climate Action Strategy and Return to Work Task Force consultations to draw on. The Director of the Built Environment advised that the project process so far had included working through many possible options and narrowing them down along the Gateway process based on practical and other considerations. The methodology for this was available to view and would be explained in the consultation.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director of the Built Environment outlined the planned westbound diversion for the 521 bus route, and explained that event guests at Mansion House would leave via the existing left-turn only down Queen Victoria Street. The Sub Committee

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the Beech Street Transportation and Public Realm Project. The Deputy Chairman, in the Chair, introduced the item and advised of a correction, asking Members to disregard a sentence within paragraph 35 of the report.

The Director of the Built Environment then introduced the report and drew Member’ attention to the key points, summarising the understanding of feedback received and the outcomes of the judicial review in respect of the scheme. The Director of the Built Environment then outlined the options presented for consideration, with Option 2 recommended for approval.

The Deputy Chairman, in the Chair, then reminded Members that two briefings on the project had recently been held for local Ward Members not on the Sub Committee, and on both occasions the Members had expressed a preference for Option 2, before inviting Members to discuss the proposals. A Member commented that the scheme had been subject to unfortunate timing, and that due to the circumstances the impact of the scheme had not been fully assessed. The Member added that the case in favour of the scheme should be strengthened, using robust data from Beech Street and the surrounding areas, and referencing the additional points made, before seeking clarification that the funding strategy for the scheme was still in place. The Director of the Built Environment responded that Resource Allocation Sub Committee would be considering funding in March, but there were options for funding the scheme.

Members further raised the possibility of involving the Barbican Centre, as well as consulting residents’ associations other than Barbican and Golden Lane. A Member also inquired as to the enforcement of PCNs, caused by the absence of a right-hand turn through the central reservation, and raised issues reported by residents of

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Phase 2 of the Crossrail Liverpool Street Urban Integration project. A Member stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement, as there were a number of new offices and tenants in the area who may be uninformed. The Member asked officers to continue with consultation in order to seek as many responses and views as possible on the project, including from newer stakeholders.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

a)    Note the recent delays incurred by the project, the reasons behind them and what the next steps are; and

b)    Note and approve the updated Costed Risk Register as set out in the appendix to the report (overall CRP has not changed).

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Section 278 (S278) highway works to facilitate the 1 Leadenhall Street development. The Sub Committee noted that an additional recommendation authorising officers to enter into the S278 agreement once negotiated with the developer had been omitted in error, and this was also agreed.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1.    Agree that a budget of £100,000 is approved for detail design, engagement with stakeholders and survey work to reach the next Gateway;

2.    Note the total estimated cost of the project at £550,000 - £800,000 (excluding risk); and

3.    Authorise officers to enter into the S278 agreement once negotiated with the developer.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding Phase One of the S278 works at 100 Minories.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1.    Note the revised total estimated cost of the project at £510,236 (excluding risk), subject to successful completion of S278 agreement and receipt of monies; and

2.    Agree that a Costed Risk Provision of £68,000 is approved (to bedrawn down via delegation to Chief Officer), subject to successful completion of S278 agreement and receipt ofmonies.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning Phase 1B and Phase 2 of the Greening Cheapside project. The Director of the Built Environment introduced the report and gave a short presentation outlining the project so far and the options available for taking it forward. The Director of the Built Environment advised that all three options provided and delivered the project objectives. The option progressed would be dependent on the funding procured for the project, and officers would return with a preferred option once this had become known.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1.    Agree that the increased scope, in response to additional external funding secured, be approved;

2.    That all options are approved and to note that options 2 ‘silver’ and 3 ‘gold, will only be progressed should further funding be confirmed. This funding decision will be taken by Members via a separate report on the implementation of the Climate Action Strategy;

3.    That additional budget of £50,000 is approved for fees and staff costs (fully externally funded) to reach the next Gateway (G4/5) and that £13,905 underspent from the current budget allocation is carried forward to be used on this next stage of the project; and

4.    Note the total estimated cost of the project (Phase 1B) at £296,095-£515,000 (excluding costed risk provision).

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding a project to undertake the required S278 highways works in the vicinity of the development at 80 Fenchurch Street.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

i)             Approve the content of this outcome report;

ii)            Authorise the Chamberlain’s department to return unspent section 278 funds to the Developer as set out in the respective legal agreement (subject to the verification of the final account); and

iii)           Agree to close the 80 Fenchurch Street project.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding highway improvements implemented under the S278 works at 100 Bishopsgate.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

a)    Approve the content of this outcome report;

b)    Authorise the Chamberlain’s department to return unspent Section 278 funds as set out in the respective legal agreement (subject to the verification of the final accounts); and

c)    Agree to close the 100 Bishopsgate project.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment concerning the creation of a new public space and wider improved public realm in the vicinity of the 60-70 St Mary Axe development.

In response to a question from a Member, the Director of the Built Environment and the Comptroller and City Solicitor respectively outlined usual practices in the agreement and implementation of S278 agreements, particularly regarding the return of unspent funds.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub Committee:

1.    Note the contents of this report and authorise closure of the project; and

2.    Authorise the return of £94,030 to the developer under the terms of the Section 278 agreement, subject to verification of final accounts.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment assessing major highway activities over the last twelve months and likely activities during 2021.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the City’s permanent Anti-Terrorism Traffic Regulation Order (ATTRO).

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment regarding the City's highways term maintenance contractor.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain

The Sub Committee received a report of the Chamberlain regarding action taken in respect of any deficit or surplus in the On-Street Parking Account.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Sub Committee received a list of outstanding references.

RESOLVED – That the list of outstanding references be noted.

There was no other business.

MOTION – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act as follows:-

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972,

the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) 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.

Item No.                                                        Paragraph No.

20                                                                                3

21 - 23                                                                        3,7

24                                                                                -

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2020.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting on 1 December 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment.

There was other business.