Agenda item

A report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment (copy attached).

The Assistant Director (Environmental Enhancement) introduced the report of the Director of the Department of the Built Environment on the Aldgate Highway Changes and Public Realm Improvement Gateway 4 Report. He noted that Transport for London (TfL) had offered to meet 50% of project costs and that s106 monies from the Eastern Cluster would meet the remaining 50%. This did mean however that there were revenue implications in the upkeep of the area once the project was completed. He outlined the fact that the maintenance shortfall would be in the region of £70,000 and officers were currently reviewing ways in which this could be met. The Assistant Director noted that other local authorities in similar circumstances made use of s106 monies, and many entered agreements for significantly longer periods of time than the current five year agreement that was in place. He added that there was the possibility of making use of the Community Infrastructure Levy from 2015.

In response to a concern from a member that a proposed water feature was forecast to cost £22,400 a year to maintain, the Assistant Director replied that the cost only represented a worst-case scenario estimate, given the water feature in question had yet to be designed.

In response to a query from a member over the nature of the proposed kiosk, and the concern that proposed refuse bins would cost £24,000 a year to maintain, the Assistant Director replied that the Director for Community and Children’s Services was keen for the kiosk to be run as a social enterprise that incorporated public lavatories. He added that a specialist operator was already liaising with the Corporation over its operation. Regarding bins, the Assistant Director clarified that the cost reflected the maximum forecast number of bins and was likely to change following consultation with the Corporation’s cleansing department.

In response to a question from a member over the level of segregated cycling provision in the proposed scheme the Assistant Director replied that alternative schemes were being investigated.

The Chairman concluded discussion by noting the Committee approved of the report in general but had real concerns over the source of funding for the ongoing maintenance of the scheme. He recommended that officers seek an s106 agreement on a term longer than five years and that furthermore the Finance Committee would allow any monies arising from the kiosk to be invested in maintenance of the site.

RESOLVED:

·         That the Committee note the project may lead to increased revenue costs and that these additional costs and funding proposals would be determined as part of the detailed design and fully reported upon in a Gateway 5 report.

·         That the Committee approve that the project proceed to Gateway 5 subject to the Gateway 5 report being submitted to the Committee for decision.

·         That officers note the concerns and recommendations of the Committee over the source of funding for ongoing maintenance of the site.