Agenda item

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 19 September 2017.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 be approved.

Matter Arising

Award for Coffee Cups

The Director of Transportation and Public Realm explained that an award had been received for the Coffee Cup Recycling Campaign from the Chartered Institute of Waste Management for the most successful campaign. The Chairman congratulated all those who made this a success noting that half a million coffee cups had been recycled in a period of one month.

Electric Vehicle Charging

The Chairman explained that a meeting had been held with the General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and officers had been provided with the opportunity to view a new low emission electric/hybrid taxi, 130-140 of which were expected to be rolled out in early 2018.

The Director of Transportation and Public Realm advised that there would be a delay in installing eight charging points at Baynard House car park, and officers were working with TfL on this. A charging point at Noble Street would be installed and ready to serve taxi drivers by March/April 2018.

Impact of BREXIT

The Port Health and Public Protection Director explained that a meeting with the Local Government Association had taken place and officers were seeking support from a number of organisations and trade association to raise the City Corporation’s profile and a full report would be brought before the Committee in 2018.

Draft Code of Practice for Deconstruction and Construction Sites

The Port Health and Public Protection Director explained that counsel’s opinion was being sought and an Officers’ working party had been set up to progress the questionnaire which would be sent to all relevant parties in relation to Saturday working.

In response, a Member of the Committee raised the following points:

·         that they were pleased at the introduction of the Working Party, and this should commence soon, however representation from Members and residents was needed;

·         the Chairman of Planning and Transportation has been supportive of initiatives to find resolution in this area including measures such as the Polluter Pays;

·         that weekend working was a huge imposition for those living in the City and queried whether other solutions could be sought such as using the five hours allocated for Saturday working and sharing these across Monday-Friday instead; perhaps through commencing work earlier and finishing later.

In response to the points raised, the Chairman asked officers to clarify the purpose of the working group, whether it would be appropriate to extend the membership and if so, who should be invited to participate in the group.

The Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that following the last meeting of the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee where Members had asked for further evidence before amending the Code of Practice, the Comptroller and City Solicitor had drafted an instruction to counsel, and officers were looking to monitor and scrutinise Saturday working to provide evidence to the Committee.

The Port Health and Public Protection Director advised that the composition of the Working Party was a decision for the Committee and at present comprised of the Comptroller and City Solicitor, the Port Health and Public Protection Director and the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor explained that in seeking advice from counsel, officers were seeking guidance on the consultation process for changing Saturday working, definitions of noisy working, how to approach the issue of exemptions to the restrictions, and how the needs of developers could continue to be met, whilst implementing a new policy.

Once the guidance was received, a questionnaire would be put together, circulated to relevant parties, and approval would be sought from the Committee. The Comptroller and City Solicitor advised waiting on appointing Members to the Working Party until the consultation period was finished and evidence could be presented. 

The Chairman summarised that following consultation and a developed questionnaire, a decision would be made on the membership of the Working Party and it was important to consider the evidence for any proposals. The Port Health and Public Protection Director added that officers would continue to monitor Saturday working and any complaints arising.