Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 8 March 2016.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 be approved.

Matters Arising

Heathrow Animal Reception Centre (HARC)

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that the HARC hosted a meeting with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss issues being experienced surrounding both The Pet Travel Scheme and the standards of US veterinary paperwork and Emotional Support Animals. Five members of the USDA based at the US Embassy in London attended. Discussions on these matters proved fruitful and good contacts were made. Since the meeting the HARC had seen an improvement in veterinary paperwork and were made aware that the issue of Emotional Support Animals is being discussed in Washington with US carriers and the US Department of Transport.

Recycling Action Plan

The Assistant Director of Cleansing Operations advised that waste collectors had been instructed to lock waste storage bins within the Middlesex Street Estate and this instruction would be re-iterated. The Assistant Director added that the new Bishopsgate Bin units had been delivered and were soon to be installed to encourage the recycling of newspapers and magazines in and around Train Stations.

Rough Sleepers

The Chairman advised that the various contact methods and details for reporting locations of rough sleepers to relevant Officers had been circulated to Members following the last Committee meeting. Members noted that there remained a number of rough sleepers within the City of London who were offered accommodation through Broadway, a homeless charity who worked in collaboration with the City of London Police to target a reduction in people sleeping rough in the community. Members of this Committee who were also Members of the Police Committee could raise Members’ concerns at a future Police Committee meeting.

Noise Pollution

The Director of Port Health and Public Protection advised that the Chairman of Planning and Transportation Committee and a Planning and Transportation Committee Member had recently met with Transport for London to discuss noise and other matters regarding the London transport network. A briefing regarding the outcome of this meeting would be circulated to Members after the Committee meeting. The Chairman added that she would look into the matter further in consultation with the Director and the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee.