Agenda item

Report of the Acting Headmaster of the City of London School and the Director of the Built Environment.

The Board received a report of the Acting Headmaster and the Director of Built Environment which updated Governors on the permanent relocation of the Blackfriars Pier to the east of Blackfriars Bridge, closer to the City of London School.

The Chairman noted that this was a significant project which would take 8 or 9 years to complete and it was important to minimise disruption and it was noted the City had included in its submission to the Planning Inspectorate a request for any works that could prove disruptive to the School to take place outside of normal school hours or during school holidays. The Director of Finance for the City of London School reported that there had been good communications with the School during the project and that, if the current timetable were adhered to,  the most disruption would likely take place in March 2015.

Governors suggested that officers could be in touch with the City’s Environmental Health Office to monitor the level of noise disruption caused and a complaint through Environmental Health could be filed if required. Some Governors felt that normal contract clauses may not be sufficient in this instance and added that double glazing for the School’s windows may be necessary to cope with long-term noise issues from increased footfall along the pier and Thames walkway. The Chairman noted that noise level assessment had taken place for the project, and had deemed future noise and footfall would be below the ambient noise levels.

Governors suggested that there could perhaps be ways in which the Thames Tideway Tunnel Project could be embraced as a learning opportunity for students. The Director of Finance advised that Thames Water had been in contact with the School’s Head of Geography on their education program and further exploration of these activities would be undertaken by the School.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and its content noted.