Agenda item

Air Quality

Patrick Streeter asked a question of the Chairman of the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee regarding air quality in London.

In response, the Chairman set out the significant steps the City was taking and the various policies and strategies which were in place or being developed. In response to a supplementary question concerning idling vehicles, the Chairman advised that the Mayor of London’s proposed scheme to ensure that from 2018 all new licensed taxi cabs were electric or hybrid would help to tackle the pollution caused by idling cabs at Liverpool Street station; the City Corporation’s policy of restricting traffic in areas where it was having a negative impact on air quality and on the proper functioning of the City was also highlighted.

In response to a second supplementary question from Mr Mooney, an undertaking was given to provide the Member with information concerning pollution levels at Smithfield Market.

Members’ Dress

Brian Mooney asked a question of the Chief Commoner concerning Members’ dress at civic functions.

In response, the Chief Commoner advised that Members should be well aware of the requirements around dress at functions in advance of joining the Court and that, for some, the ability to attend such functions was considered a privilege. In reply to a supplementary question, the Chief Commoner advised that he would be content to consider the possibility of the City Corporation funding the provision of dress for any Members in need of financial assistance, subject to individual discussions.

Blossom Street Site Development

The Revd. William Campbell-Taylor asked a question of the Deputy Chairman of the Property Investment Board concerning the City Corporation’s policy in respect of an ongoing development in Tower Hamlets.

In reply, the Deputy Chairman confirmed that the City Corporation had adapted its policy in respect of the site since 2008, setting out the various alterations and the rationale.

In response to a supplementary question, the Deputy Chairman expressed his willingness to meet with representatives of the Spitalfields Trust to discuss their concerns about the development. In response to a further supplementary question from Mr Sleigh, the Deputy Chairman extended an invitation to other interested Members to also attend these discussions.

In response to a supplementary question from Mr Streeter about the development’s impact upon a conservation area, the Deputy Chairman expressed his belief that the proposals for the site represented a considered scheme which reflected the historic nature of this part of the city fringes and paid due regard to its status as a conservation area. He also highlighted the number of jobs that the regeneration of the site would provide.