Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Environment which presented the high-level Business Plan for the Environment Department for 2023/24.

An Officer stated that the report set out the key areas of work for 2023/24 and the way in which services would support the Corporate Plan, other key strategies and policies. The Officer advised that more strategies and policies might be introduced during the year and the Business Plan could be amended accordingly.

Members requested that the Sporting Strategy and Small and Medium (SME) Strategy be referenced as forthcoming strategies. An Officer confirmed they would be referenced and the strategies would be incorporated into the Business Plan once approved.

A Member asked about data collection in relation to the Whole Lifecycle Carbon Planning Advice Note (PAN). An Officer stated that monitoring had begun of schemes approved over the last two years. Members were advised that post-completion data was the most relevant data but there was currently no post-completion data as none of the monitored schemes had yet been completed. Officers would provide planning stage data on the schemes approved to date. A Member commented that going forward there should be more of a focus on performance monitoring of Whole Life Carbon PAN.

In response to a Member’s question, an Officer informed the Committee that Local Plans Sub-Committee meetings were being arranged. A Member commented that she hoped there would be continuation in the membership of the Local Plans Sub-Committee. The Chairman advised that whilst the membership of both the Grand Committee and the Local Plans Sub-Committee could change, having oversight of the Local Plans at the Grand Committee would provide continuation of the work of the Local Plans Sub-Committee.

A Member queried whether the Blackfriars Bridge parapet refurbishment and repainting project had received funding from Bridge House Estates. An Officer would look into this and report back to Committee Members.

A Member requested that details on income generation, specific performance targets and baselines be included in the Business Plan. An Officer stated that targets had not been included as the Plan was being prepared in advance. However, once the figures for 2022/23 were available, they could be shown and these would be provided to Committee Members. The Chairman stated that some income streams would require a change in policy so the principles could be included with the details included at a later stage.

A Member requested a report back on consolidation centres. An Officer stated that there was currently just one consolidation centre at 22 Bishopsgate and there would be a report back to the Committee.

In response to a Member’s question about whether the strategy of the City or Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) led, the Chairman asked that the reference to aligning BID strategic priorities on page 79 of the Officer’s report be nuanced to indicate that the City’s strategy led.

RESOLVED - That the Committee:

1)    Note the factors taken into consideration in compiling the Environment Department Business Plan;

2)    Approve, subject to the incorporation of changes outlined above, the high-level Business Plan 2023/24 which covers the service areas for which the Planning and Transportation Committee is responsible.