Agenda item

Use of the title “City of London”

Patrick Streeter asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the use of the title “The City of London.”

In response, the Chairman reassured Members that both he and other City Corporation spokesmen currently did and would continue to endeavour to make clear whether they were referring to the Square Mile, the Financial Services industry of London and the UK, or indeed the City Corporation itself, depending on the context.

Provision of Primary School Places

Deputy Joyce Nash asked a question of the Chairman of the Community & Children’s Services Committee concerning the provision of primary school places in the City.

In response, the Chairman advised Members of the work which had been planned to expand the Sir John Cass Primary School. Unfortunately however, the School’s Foundation had recently decided not to allow the expansion of the School on the current site, despite previous indications that they were supportive of the proposals. Clarification was being sought as to the rationale for this decision, with no reason having yet been forthcoming.

In response to a question from John Fletcher, who was also a Governor of the School, the Chairman expressed his frustrations and surprise at the Foundation’s decision, echoing Mr Fletcher’s concerns.

In response to a question from Mark Boleat, the Chairman agreed that it would be appropriate for his Committee to commission independent advice on this matter and advise on possible ways forwards. He also gratefully noted the offer from the Finance and Policy and Resources Committees to fund this research.

European Union

Mark Wheatley asked a question of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning polling undertaken around Britain’s membership of the European Union.

In response, the Chairman reassured the Member that the polling had been undertaken by two professional bodies bound by the regulations of the Market Research Society, with no City Corporation input in to the individuals approached.

Replying to a supplementary question about the focus of polling from Deputy Alex Deane, the Chairman clarified that the surveys referred to had been undertaken in 2013 and that the focus of current polling was indeed on the nature of reforms desired by City businesses.

Following a further supplementary question from Mark Wheatley, the Chairman emphasised that, when asked by interested parties, he expressed solely the view of the weight of opinion of City businesses. He stressed that the City of London Corporation had not agreed a corporate position in respect of European Union membership and that he had not been asked what the views of the Common Council were.

Road Safety – Bank Junction

Henry Colthurst asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning & Transportation Committee concerning plans to improve road safety at Bank Junction.

In response, on behalf of the Court the Chairman expressed his condolences and thoughts to Ying Tao’s family and friends on the tragic loss of her life. He stressed the resolve to re-double efforts to eliminate danger on City streets and provide a safe environment for all road users.

He referenced improvements made to other accident blackspots across the City, such as the Aldgate gyratory and Holborn Circus, noting that radical re-adjustments to Bank junction would be required to achieve similar change. He advised that options would be presented to Members on this very matter in the Autumn. The Chairman also highlighted the significant amount of enforcement activity undertaken by the City of London Police with respect to large vehicles.

Responding to a supplementary question from Andrew McMurtrie, the Chairman assured Members that the police did monitor such blackspots regularly and took enforcement action very seriously, advising that some 447 offences had been recorded since October.

In response to a question from Ann Pembroke, the Chairman advised that both the options of banning heavy duty vehicles from driving through Bank junction and pedestrianising the junction would be considered as part of the work.

Following a further supplementary question from Jeremy Simons, the Chairman noted that Transport for London (TfL) had currently prioritised the removal of gyratory systems, meaning that financial contribution to the junction changes was currently likely to not be of highest priority. However, with any junction improvements likely to be implemented following the imminent Bank Station upgrade, there was sufficient time to allow for thorough planning and appropriate negotiations with TfL with a view to their potential support.