Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Deputy Alastair Moss, Oliver Sells QC, William Upton QC, and Christopher Hayward.  

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 10 September 2021.

A Member noted that minutes were expanding, and asked whether there were more streamlined, efficient ways of recording minutes (including transcripts alongside a record of decisions made). Another Member supported the detail of minutes as an aid to understanding why decisions were made, and another Member asked whether broadcasts could be captioned to improve accessibility.

The Town Clerk agreed to explore the issue and report back to the meeting.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the meeting of 10 September 2021 be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

To consider the report of the Environment Department ‘2-6 Cannon Street Public Realm Improvements’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report ‘2-6 Cannon Street Public Realm Improvements’.

Members congratulated the Environment Department on the high quality of the garden at 2-6 Cannon St.

A Member asked if the project pre-dated the decision to do ground surveys to avoid discovering unexpected anomalies.

Members heard that ground surveys were carried out when it was thought there might be utilities in the ground, and a full radar survey had not been done in respect of the project as it was a fully pedestrianised area.   

A Member asked what action was being taken to ensure delays did not arise and cause problems in future projects, resulting in cost increases.  

Members heard that interest is calculated on S278 and S106 deposits which should cover minor delays and some increased costs, though a review of the project’s scope would be required in the event of significant delays or issues. 

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee

1.    Revise the remaining project budget of £420,170 as set out in the finance tables of Appendix 3; including any interest accrued, to complete the project in accordance with the Section 106 Agreement

2.    Approve the budget adjustment summarised in table 3 of Appendix 3

To consider the report of the Environment Department ‘55 Moorgate Section 278 Public realm and highway improvements’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Environment Department ‘55 Moorgate Section 278 Public realm and highway improvements’.

A Member asked whether the pedestrianised area was open 24 hours a day, and whether there were any concerns about the area attracting rough sleepers.

Members heard that the passageway is currently open 24 hours a day, and that discussions are ongoing about night-time closure timings.

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee

1.    Approve the contents of this outcome report

2.    Approve the budget adjustment summarised in section 13 and detailed in table 3 of Appendix 3

3.    Agree to close this project once the outstanding actions referred to in section 13 are completed and payments made

To consider the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘100 Minories Phase Two: Public Realm enhancements to Crescent’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘100 Minories Phase Two: Public Realm enhancements to Crescent’.

A Member suggested that there was merit in utilising the current developer’s expertise where possible, rather than looking elsewhere.

A Member sought clarification on whether there had been a change in developer or whether the change had been in the hotel operator and asked if legal obligations had passed to the developer.

Members heard that the Corporation was working with the new owners of the site.

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee

1.    Approve the amended scope of the project to include climate resilience measures and note that a final design and cost estimate will be set out at Gateway 4/5.

2.    Approve the revised funding strategy as set out in this report to include funding from the Cool Streets and Greening Programme in addition to previously allocated S106 funds.

3.   Approve the additional budget of £29,819, funded from the 100 Minories S106for Phase 2 to reach the next gateway.

To consider the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Barbican and Golden Lane Healthy Streets Plan’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Barbican and Golden Lane Healthy Streets Plan’.

A Member expressed concern that the project appeared to not yet be fully funded.

Members heard that the £250K bid amount had been approved in April 2021 to deliver the plan. A subsequent bid of £2M had been put in to fund those future projects identified through the plan and that there was considerable support for this and subsequent projects. The Sub-Committee noted the financial pressure on projects generally.

A Member asked whether Beech Street was a separate project.

Members heard that a Beech Street report was expected to be presented to the December 2021 session of the Sub-Committee, and that there are a number of well-coordinated workstreams around the Barbican and Beech Street area.  

A Member expressed the hope that the environment of the area in general was being considered, the idea being for it to be an inviting place to go.

The Sub Committee noted that due consideration was being given to the Barbican’s listed building status.  

Members heard that an extensive engagement period was being planned, and a Member expressed the hope that the very good departmental engagement with stakeholders seen in the Department would continue even with the financial pressures.

A Member sought clarification on whether air quality assessments were being benchmarked.

The Sub-Committee heard that air quality was being modelled with the Cambridge-based company CERC. NOx measurements were benchmarked against data previously gathered in the wider area prior to the pandemic.  

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee

1.    Approve a budget of £141k to reach the next Gateway

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment, in consultation with the Chamberlain, to make any adjustments between elements of the approved budget, provided the total approved budget £141k

To consider the report of the Executive Director – Environment ‘Pedestrian Priority Programme - Phase One Interventions’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Environment, ‘Pedestrian Priority Programme – Phase One Interventions’.

The Sub-Committee pointed out that there needed to be a clear maintenance plan for planters and parklets.

Members heard that the cost shown was planned for an 18-month period (to the end of the experimental phase) with a second round of enhancement funding expected at the conclusion of that period to include such maintenance.

A Member congratulated the department on the rapid and efficient handling of an issue with loose paving on Poultry and commented that appropriate maintenance procedures needed to be factored into all temporary pavement plans.

A Member commented that signage around Old Jewry was confusing to minicab drivers causing some to mount the pavement at night, and the Sub-Committee heard that the No Exit signs there appeared to be missing.

The Sub-Committee heard that the signage matter was to be raised with the maintenance team, that planters would be positioned to give a stronger visual signal to drivers. Mapping companies were also to be reminded of the one-way rule.   

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee

1.    Approve the Phase 1 interventions, as per Option 2, set out in the main body of this report.

2.    Approve a sum of £2,402,628 as the implementation budget for the Year 1 (Phase 1) interventions, funded from within the existing Year 1 budget envelope of £2.5 to £3.2million

3.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment, in consultation with the Chamberlain, to make any adjustments between elements of the approved budget, provided the total approved budget £~2.4M is not exceeded.

4.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director Environment, in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Streets and Walkways, to make proportionate adjustments to the designs of the recommended Option.

To consider the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Street Lighting LED Project’.

The Sub Committee considered the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Street Lighting LED project’.

A Member asked whether TfL has been persuaded to upgrade the lighting on the red routes.

Members heard that TfL were considering renewing their street lighting assets.

RESOLVED, that the Sub Committee

1.    Note the contents of the report and authorise the closure of the project, with any unused balances returned to the on-street parking account

2.    Note that the project was delivered on time and to budget

To consider the report of the Executive Director Environment ‘TfA Equal Pavements Pledge’.

RESOLVED, that the Sub-Committee approve the City of London Corporation’s commitment to Transport for All’s Equal Pavements Pledge.

To receive the report of the Executive Director, Environment, ‘TfL's Bishopsgate Experimental Closure’.

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Executive Director Environment ‘TfL’s Bishopsgate Experimental Closure’.

A Member asked for clarification around where the responsibility lay for mitigations.

Members heard that dialogue with TfL was ongoing during the experimental phase and there was a range of factors to be taken into account.

A Member commented that the Bishopsgate area was a more pleasant and safe environment and suggested that the extended pavements’ use along Gracehurch St be clearly signalled. Another Member drew attention to TfL’s adoption of Bishopsgate as a strategic highway and commented that it would impact on local roads in the City, referring particularly to paragraph 11 of the report. Members noted that Bishopsgate was strategic from the point of view of cyclists, pedestrians and public transport providers, and was heavily used by those groups of users particularly with the imminent arrival of Crossrail within the next year.

Members noted the report and noted that a further report will be brought to consider if the City Corporation should object to and/or make other representations in respect of the ETO being made permanent, in its current or modified form.

To receive the report of the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Middlesex Street Area Phase B New Open Space’

The Sub-Committee received the report of the Director of the Built Environment ‘Middlesex Street Area Phase B New Open Space’.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Sub-Committee received the list of outstanding references.

Dockless vehicles: Members noted ongoing problems with inappropriate use and parking of dockless bikes and scooters, and that civil enforcement officers and road sweepers could be more actively involved in reporting misuse. Members noted that the penalty for inappropriate parking might need to be increased. Operators are reminded of the expectations around encouraging appropriate use and are to be encouraged to sign up to the Equal Pavements Pledge. Members were advised that an update would be forthcoming on when more providers would be invited to be involved. Members heard that it was clear to users where scooters could be used and docked. 

RESOLVED, that the outstanding references be noted.

There were no questions.

No other business was raised.

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:-

Members agreed to exclude the public.

To consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk and Chief Executive ‘Suicide Prevention in the City of London’.

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk and Chief Executive ‘Suicide Prevention in the City of London’.