Agenda item

There were three questions:

Engagement with TfL

A Member asked if the Chair could engage with TfL to encourage them to undo the recent extension to congestion charge timings, suggesting that the expanded scheme was deterring visitors and putting obstacles and costs in the way of businesses. This was particularly problematic for smaller businesses which were dependent on footfall. The Chair recognised the issues that the extension was causing for some, whilst also expressing her cognisance of the requirements of the City’s Transport and Climate Action Strategies, which called for a reduction he number of motor vehicles in the Square Mile, and the need to avoid a car-led recovery. She advised that she would continue to liaise with TfL on the City’s recovery and would be happy to seek clarification from them as to when they expected to review the temporary changes to the Congestion Charge. The Chair of the Planning & Transportation Committee took the opportunity to add that he would be meeting with the TfL Commissioner in the coming period and could also raise these points there.

In response to comments around the reallocation of cycle lanes for pedestrian usage, the Chair observed that providing more space and priority for people walking was at the heart of the City’s Transport Strategy, Climate Action Strategy and recovery plans. In addition to existing projects, such as All Change at Bank, a new Pedestrian Priority programme was being established, which would include reviewing the temporary pavement widening and pedestrian priority schemes delivered as part of the Covid-19 response, with a view to determining whether it was appropriate to retain these changes. However, the City was also keen to enable more people to choose to cycle and to continue the growth in cycling numbers that had occurred in recent years. Any decisions on whether and how to introduce cycling measures, including potentially retaining the current temporary cycling lanes, would be considered alongside the need to ensure there was adequate space for people walking.

Planning and Audit & Risk Management

Reference was made to an email which had been circulated by a Member raising the individual’s concerns around the Corporation’s planning arrangements, as well as subsequent correspondence in relation to this. In response to a question as to whether the Audit & Risk Management Committee should be asked to look at planning arrangements as one of its “deep dive” risk considerations, the Chair observed that the governance arrangements for planning were already under review through the Governance Review process.

World Uyghur Congress

Reference was also made to recent email exchanges following a letter from the UK Director of the World Uyghur Congress, with clarity sought in relation to the City Corporation’s position. The Chair advised that she and the Lord Mayor had written in reply to the World Uyghur Congress, wherein they had made clear the City Corporation’s condemnation of human rights abuses. She reiterated her previous comments around foreign policy being a matter for the UK Government, adding that the City Corporation could only seek to achieve things in areas where it had the relevant standing.