Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Marianne Fredericks and Tom Sleigh.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 25 July 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2016 were agreed as a correct record subject to the removal of Deputy Brian Harris as Deputy Chairman.

Report of the Town Clerk.

RESOLVED – That the list of outstanding references be noted and updated as appropriate.

20mph Speed Limit

The Sub-Committee was advised that a written update report from the City of London Police would be submitted on a quarterly basis. In response to a question regarding police resources for traffic enforcement for those who were in breach of the 20mph speed limit, the Sub-Committee was advised that specialist officers were deployed on weekdays and with regards to why a vehicle had been stopped over a weekend, the Sub-Committee was advised that any stops could be undertaken by any officer in the force.

Cloth Fair Noise Disturbance

The Sub-Committee was advised that Officers had met with local Ward Members to discuss options and a report would be submitted to the Sub-Committee at a later date.

1 Angel Court Improvements GW4-5 V9

The Sub-Committee agreed that this action had been completed and should be removed from the Outstanding References. 

Mayor’s Vision for Cycling

The Sub-Committee agreed that this action had been completed and should be removed from the Outstanding References. 

Inconsistent Road Markings

The Sub-Committee was advised that a report would be provided at a later date.

Police Islands

The Sub-Committee agreed that this action had been completed and should be removed from the Outstanding References. 

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided the design and cost estimates for the highway works. The Project encompassed both the highway works and St Alfred’s Garden and Officers advised that a report on St Alfred’s Garden would be submitted to the Sub-Committee at a later date.

Members were advised of three different options for arranging the highway layout on London Wall (eastbound). Officers advised of their preference for Option Two; one traffic lane and one cycle lane which provided the best layout for cyclists and should reduce vehicle speed. In response to Members’ questions on the flexibility of the options and whether Option Three of one bus lane and one traffic lane was a more suitable choice, the Sub-Committee was advised that it would be possible at a later date to revert back to two traffic lanes by painting the lines with no capital resources spent. Following discussion of the benefits of both options, Members agreed that Option Two should be used for arranging the highway layout.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

a)    Approves the implementation of the highway works with an estimated total cost of £3.6 million as shown in Table 1;Delegates authority for any adjustments between elements of the £3.6 million budget to the Director of the Built Environment in conjunction with the Chamberlain’s Head of Finance provided the total approved budget of £3.6 million is not exceeded;

b)    Authorises Officers to seek relevant regulatory and statutory consents, orders and approvals as may be required to progress and implement the scheme (e.g. traffic orders); and

c)    Notes that the St. Alphage Gardens scheme (Section 106 funded) will be progressed independently of the (Section 278 funded) highway works and a separate Gateway 5 report will be submitted to the Open Spaces

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which consolidated the outcome reports for three City Public Realm projects: Mariner House street scene enhancements, Austin Friars environmental enhancements, and Shoe Lane street enhancement scheme. Members were advised that the projects had delivered enhancements across the City and had been well received by the community.

RESOLVED – That the outcome information be received and recommendation on individual reports approved.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided a progress update on the Ludgate Hill Crossing.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

a)    approves the retention of the signalised crossing; and

b)    authorises the utilisation of the remaining Works and Contingency budget of £34,340 to contribute towards the cost resurfacing of the carriageway in the vicinity of the crossing, as recommended by the Stage 3 Road Safety Audit.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out the proposed area enhancement strategy for the Moorgate area in order to provide a framework for future public realm enhancements and would address the changing needs of the area.

Members agreed that as the proposals had been approved by the Planning and Transportation Committee on 13 September 2016, the report would be considered by the Sub-Committee for information rather than for decision.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee note the report.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update on the Experimental Safety Scheme as part of the Bank Junction Improvements.

In response to a question that had been raised at the Court of Common Council on whether it would be possible to bring forward the time frame for the experimental scheme from December 2016. The Sub-Committee was advised that due to a request from Transport for London for the traffic model work to be undertaken to forecast into 2018 rather than 2016 as originally planned, it would not be possible to bring the time frame forward.

The Sub-Committee discussed the inclusion of taxis as part of the Experimental Safety Scheme and agreed that in order to find out the true impact of the experiment; only buses, pedestrians and cyclists should be allowed access to the Junction. The Sub-Committee agreed that the Chairman should lead a high level delegation to meet with Officials to discuss this further.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee approve an increase in the fees and staff costs budget of £87,200 making a total budget of £387,100 to reach the next gateway.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided an update on the Experimental Safety Scheme as part of the Bank Junction Improvements.

In response to a question that had been raised at the Court of Common Council on whether it would be possible to bring forward the time frame for the experimental scheme from December 2016. The Sub-Committee was advised that due to a request from Transport for London for the traffic model work to be undertaken to forecast into 2018 rather than 2016 as originally planned, it would not be possible to bring the time frame forward.

The Sub-Committee discussed the inclusion of taxis as part of the Experimental Safety Scheme and agreed that in order to find out the true impact of the experiment; only pedestrians and cyclists should be allowed access to the Junction. The Sub-Committee agreed that the Chairman should lead a high level delegation to meet with Officials to discuss this further.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee approve an increase in the fees and staff costs budget of £87,200 making a total budget of £387,100 to reach the next gateway.

The Sub-Committee considered a joint report of the Director of the Built Environment and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection which advised the Sub-Committee of progress to Phase two of the Middlesex Street Area project and set out a strategy for progressing the project to Gateway three.

The Sub-Committee was advised of the potential change in name of Middlesex Street back to its original name of Petticoat Lane which could offer a stronger branding for the market and could attract more visitors.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee approve the funding required to reach Gateway three of £50,000 to be funded from Section 106 contributions relating to the 5 Broadgate development.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which advised the Sub-Committee of the current programme and governance structure for the project and confirmed the current position with regards to budgets and funding.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the approved spend was £23.4million rather than £23.2million as stated in the report and the Urgency Report referenced in the report had not yet been submitted, but would be sent to the Town Clerk’s Department shortly. The Chairman responded that both he and the Project Sub-Committee endorsed the project, they had worked with Officers to drive down the costs to £4million and a copy of the Urgency Report would be circulated to the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee note the contents of the report.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which set out a proposal to develop a distinct Look and Feel Strategy for the public realm in the area covered by the City’s Cultural Hub, located in the north-west of the City.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee:

a)    Approve the initiation of the Look and Feel Strategy, utilising up to £350k from the Cultural Hub funding allocation in the Town Clerk’s local risk budget, derived from 2015/16 corporate underspend; and

b)    note that the release of each phase of funding will be authorised by the Town Clerk on the recommendation of the officer level working party overseeing this programme.

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment which provided information on the major highway works for 2016/17.

In response to a Member’s question on closures that would be taking place in Tower Bridge, Tooley Street and St Thomas Street, the Sub-Committee was advised that Tower Bridge would be closed to pedestrians for three weekends, and Officers would investigate when St Thomas Street would re-open and the extent of the closure in relation to Tooley Street.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee receive the report.

The Committee received a road safety report in relation to Tudor Street.

The Sub-Committee was advised that the costs relating to Tudor Street were yet to be confirmed in writing, but following discussions with the Chairman of the Sub-Committee and TFL, there would be a reduction in costs and the project would be taken before the Court of Common Council.

Members raised concerns regarding congestion in New Tudor Street and the Blackfriars Junction and Officers agreed to look into whether an underpass within the area could be used by pedestrians to reduce overcrowding.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee note the contents of the report.

Officers were asked to provide responses to the following questions to be added to the list of Outstanding References.

‘A walkway cannot function if the lifts are not working; the lift in Wood Street has been out of service for two weeks with no response received from the City Surveyor’s Department. Can Officers provide an update please?’

‘Two bollards have very recently been placed at the bottom end of Queen Street in front of a fire gate. Can Officers confirm why the bollards have been placed there and whether they are to be permanent fixtures?’

‘When will an update be submitted to the Sub-Committee on the Road Danger Reduction Plan?’

Officers responded that there had been some activity in relation to the Road Danger Reduction Plan and advised that a quarterly plan with a Strategy would be put in place and would be submitted to the Sub-Committee.

The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that the November and December dates of the Sub-Committee had changed and the meetings would take place on 8 November 2016 and 6 December 2016.

MOTION – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting 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.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting 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.

Report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor

The Committee noted a report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor which reviewed the existing City Walkways Byelaws and advised on the process required to amend the Byelaws.

There were no questions.

The Chairman raised an item of business.