Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Shahnan Bakth, Steve Goodman, Henrika Priest, and Alderman Kawsar Zaman.

Henry Jones and Deputy Giles Shilson observed the meeting online.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 24^th September 2024.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 24^th September 2024 be approved as an accurate record.

The Committee to note the Outstanding Actions.

RESOLVED – That the Committee note the outstanding actions.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concerning the approval of the final Air Quality Strategy 2025 to 2030.

A Member raised that the greatest source of particulates in the City was construction, yet the City Corporation had an objective within its draft City Plan 2040 to deliver more office buildings, and greater emphasis needed to be placed on better working practices. The Committee heard that the largest local source was from construction activity, however 90% of PM10 did not originate from within the City. There was a code of practice that construction companies were expected to adhere, and equipment used at construction sites were regulated. Officers also made visits to construction sites to check compliance. In addition, a section of the Strategy focused on collaboration with stakeholders outside of the City as there were many factors that were outside of the control of the City Corporation.

It was noted that the biggest source of PM2.5 was cooking fuels, and it was queried whether this included schools within the City. The Committee heard that cooking fuels used in the City should be smokeless, such as specific charcoals and woods (i.e., solid fuels). The City Corporation advised on cooking fuels as this was a soft approach and a raising awareness exercise with restaurants and would be followed up if they continued to use unauthorised fuels. This would also include schools.

RESOLVED – That the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee approve the final Air Quality Strategy 2025 to 2030.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concerning the recommendation of the Byelaws for the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC), and the approval for the listed fees for the licensing services delivered by the Animal Health Team.

It was noted that at previous meetings, Members had raised concerns that there was a lack of flexibility with the fees. Therefore, the Byelaws listed the maximum chargeable fees and sought agreement for a delegated authority for the Executive Director of Environment to amend the fee structure, up to twice a year, by up to 20% (but not exceeding the maximum). This would be 20% per annum.

In terms of whether the fees could be increased further, the response was that the way in which agents operated and potentially competing European Border Control Posts needed to be taken into account, to provide fees that were the best option for all stakeholders. Officers were satisfied that the proposed fees were appropriate. Later, the Committee heard that there were some charges for additional administration and practical work, but there were no surcharges to offset other costs. The byelaws would need to be amended if the Corporation wished to charge beyond the agreed maximum charge, which would require approval from the Court of Common Council.

The Corporation was obliged under legislation to publicly list fees for its services relating to HARC. Additional materials were produced for customers.

RESOLVED – That Members:

·       Approve the HARC Byelaws as listing the maximum chargeable fees from April 2025 (Appendix 1).

·       Recommend to the Court of Common Council that the Byelaws be made, and that the Comptroller and City Solicitor be instructed to seal the Byelaws accordingly.

·       Approve the listed fees for licensing services delivered by the Animal Health Team (Appendix 2).

·       Approve delegated authority for the

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concerning the approval for the implementation of the City of London’s Circular Economy Framework.

A Member queried how the framework would be enforced. The response was that a key issue would be the creation of a market for regenerated materials, which included facilitating this within the planning process. There were multiple platforms currently in existence for regenerated materials, and the City Corporation could help facilitate the market and reduce the stigma on used materials in the industry.

It was suggested that the number of “Give and Take” days be increased, to provide more opportunities for residents to give away items they no longer needed and take thing they may have a use for. The response was that these days were frequently well attended but would ultimately depend on the resource available to run more.

Finally, it was said that the Circular Economy Framework concerned changing the mindset surrounding used materials, to ensure that it did not become waste.

RESOLVED – That Members approve the implementation of the Circular Economy Framework and the associated Action Plan 2024-2027.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concerning the annual submission of the Street Cleansing, Waste Collection and Public Conveniences operations and the fees and charges for those services for 2025/26. There was a proposed increase by Retail Price Index (RPI) of 2.7%, where appropriate, for the services covered in the report. The Committee heard that under Local Government Act 2003, the Corporation could only charge on a cost recovery basis for these services.

A Member queried if fly-tipping had a negative financial effect on services, and what powers the City Corporation had to discourage fly-tipping. The response was that the definition of fly-tipping is complex – for instance, the City had relatively low numbers of fly-tipping, but there were frequent instances of bagged waste left by businesses on footways outside of the Time Banding Scheme. New timings for this scheme had been agreed by the Committee, which included a communications campaign to raise awareness. In terms of enforcement, Fixed Penalty Notices were issued against those businesses who obstructed the footway with waste.

Members of the Committee recalled issues in the previous year with the disposal of Christmas trees. The Committee heard that residents of the City outside of the Barbican could take their old trees to Corporation sites such as the Barbican for disposal, which were then used for mulch on Hampstead Heath.

The success of working with the EC BID for additional cleansing in ‘hotspot’ areas was raised, and whether this was an appropriate model for street cleansing in privately owned land in the City. The response was that it needed to be clear that the identified ‘hotspot’ areas did not supplement the base standard for street cleansing, but was a good model and could assist with the additional cleansing. The difficulty in cleansing

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director for Environment, concerning an update on the progress made against the high-level Business Plan 2024/25.

RESOLVED – That the report be received, and its contents noted.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concerning the risk management procedures in place within the Environment Department, specifically the Port Health and Public Protection and the Cleansing Services.

RESOLVED – That the report be received, and its contents noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a report of the Town Clerk, concerning the annual review of the terms of reference of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee.

RESOLVED – That the Terms of Reference for the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee be approved for submission to the Court of Common Council in April 2025.

Two Members raised questions on matters relating to the work of the Committee:

The first question concerned a noise pollution emanating cross to the north bank from the south bank of the River Thames, and what progress made with Southwark Council. The response was that the City Corporation had been working with Southwark Officers, residents, and members to reduce the disturbance caused by Buskers playing unnecessarily noisily. There was proactive monitoring, which meant quick intervention, and mediation. However, despite success, the problem had never been removed, and regular complaints and issue still arose. Changes in staffing at Southwark Council had not aided the joint working. Officers had contacted “Better Bankside” to manage the area to see how their wardens could aid in ensuring busking was undertaken reasonably, and so that their staff are better equipped to deal with busking. This meeting would be held shortly.

Senior Southwark and City officers had been meeting to discuss and agree a way forward on these issues and a joint Home Office funded project had been underway which dealt with all types of crime and antisocial behaviour on and around London’s Bridges, including busking. Following this response, Members of the Committee urged the need for high level meetings with Southwark Council and other relevant stakeholders, such as London Councils, to address the noise pollution issues arising from buskers. It was noted that enforcement was the responsibility of Southwark Council, and the Corporation’s role was advisory.

The second question from a Member concerned an automated toilet in on Long Lane / Cloth Street, which had been closed and remained boarded up. The Member asked what the agreement was with the toilet being part of the building, and whether there was a planning condition on who operated it and bore the cost. The response was that

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

There were no public items of urgent business.

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 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 Scheduled 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2024.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2024 be approved as an accurate record.

Report of the Executive Director of Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Environment, concern the Port Health and Environmental Services debtors, for the period ending 30^th September 2024.

The Executive Director of Environment to be heard.

The Committee received a verbal update of the Executive Director of Environment concerning an update on Brexit in relation to Port Health.

There were no non-public questions.

There were no non-public items of urgent business.