Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Car Free Day

The Director of the Built Environment gave the Sub-Committee an update on discussions regarding a Car Free Day on 22 September 2019 and tabled a map of two potential car-free areas, the Bank area and Guildhall, and the City Cluster area, along with a TfL proposal, which would include the closing of London Bridge and Tower Bridge. The Director of the Built Environment added that TfL’s proposal was challenging and would have significant implications for traffic.

Members were asked for their feedback on the proposals and were generally supportive. The areas highlighted for proposed Car Free Areas were sensible and were a good opportunity to incorporate the Tower of London and Riverside Walkway, and take advantage of Open House Weekend, which would fall on the same weekend. A Member suggested that a buffer zone may be required to prevent excessive traffic on Mansell Street, which was a residential area, and Commercial Street. Officers were also asked to consider the area around St. Paul’s Cathedral and Postman’s Park.

In response to a query from a Member, the Director of the Built Environment advised that both the areas proposed could be taken forward, rather than being one or the other, and officers were happy to explore expanding the zones. A decision had not been taken on the status of taxis and buses, although TfL had suggested allowing buses to use Bishopsgate and the bridges. The Sub-Committee was advised that all effort would be made to minimise disruption to sensitive areas. Officers would explore expanding the car free zone westward, but it may create difficulties if the car free zone included St. Bart’s Hospital.

Members were supportive in principle

Report of the Town Clerk

The Sub-Committee received a list of outstanding references.

Swan Lane & Trigg Lane

The City Surveyor advised that the project was still on programme. The part of the project relating to Swan Lane was complete, and Trigg Lane was due for completion at the end of May.

22 Bishopsgate

The Sub-Committee was advised that 22 Bishopsgate would be discussed during Part 2 of the agenda.

Dockless Bikes

The Director of the Built Environment advised the Sub-Committee that the Planning & Transportation Committee had approved the trial of a new approach to managing dockless cycle hire. Invitations had gone out to operators inviting them to take part in the trial and it was aimed to launch the trial in May. Each operator would be permitted an equal number of bikes to be deployed, with a minimum and maximum in total and at each parking area. It was expected that many regular users would sign up to multiple operators.

The Sub-Committee was advised that SEOs had been more proactive in reporting bikes left in inappropriate places to operators. Operators currently had 90 minutes to remove offending bikes, and the charge for recovering bikes not removed had been increased to £235. Operators not participating in the trial would be asked to remove their bikes straightaway, and one of the criteria for participating in the trial was that it be made clear on the bikes themselves how to report them to their operators. These details would also be included on the website.

Beech Street

The Sub-Committee was advised that TfL had confirmed progress on the Eastbound closure, with discussions ongoing on the potential two-way closure. A report would be brought to the Sub-Committee for a decision on the closures. Meetings with Islington were ongoing at Member and officer level. The Director of the Built Environment confirmed

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment setting out the proposed way forward to reach Gateway 4 for the All Change at Bank project (the long-term vision for Bank Junction). The Sub-Committee noted that following the publication of the agenda, the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 11 April 2019 had approved the deferral of the All Change at Bank project as part of the Fundamental Capital Funding review report.

The Chairman told the Sub-Committee that he was aware of some controversy as to the proposed deferral of this item, and had sought clarification with the Comptroller and City Solicitor and the Director of the Built Environment in order to be clear on the parameters of the pausing of projects, and the options available to the Sub-Committee regarding resolutions on the item, recognising that there was still appetite amongst Members to discuss the report, even if the recommendations as set out could not be actioned at this time. Accordingly, the item was discussed at the meeting.

Members of the Streets and Walkways Sub-Committee reported that their understanding was that centrally funded projects which have been deferred could be worked upon until a suitable break point; if between gateways and funded, and did not necessarily require an immediate halt. Officers explained that their understanding of the decision was that this meant an immediate pause for this project while the fundamental review was undertaken over the next six months. The Sub-Committee noted that further communications had suggested that the pause might only relate to projects requiring central funding, with exceptions given to projects deemed to be mitigating corporate risks. The Comptroller and City Solicitor advised that on the basis of the report submitted to the Policy & Resources Committee, the recommendations of which were approved,

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Director of the Built Environment confirmed that some traffic modelling was ongoing, and would be completed to fit in with the Centre for Music project. The Sub-Committee agreed to defer discussion of the item pending the Fundamental Capital Funding review.

Report of the Director of the Built Environment

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Director of the Built Environment in respect of 150 Bishopsgate. Officers were requesting an increase to the project budget, fully funded by the developer, to allow for an amended design to be developed to construction detail. This design would then be submitted as a new Gateway 5 report in due course.

RESOLVED – That the Streets & Walkways Sub-Committee approve an increase to the approved project budget of £76,668 in order to review the design and submit a revised Gateway 5 report.

There were no questions.

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 items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item No.                                              Exempt Paragraphs

11 - 12                                                 3

13 - 14                                                 -

Report of the Town Clerk

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received an update in respect of the outstanding reference relating to 22 Bishopsgate.

There were two questions.

There was one item of other business.