Agenda item

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Board received a report of the City Surveyor on the Departmental Business Plan 2019-24 Quarter 1 2019/20. The report provided Members with an update to the end of year 2018/19 progress report which included energy efficiency and the MSCI return benchmark performance. In addition, the report outlined details of progress in quarter 1 (April – June) 2019/20 against the 2019-24 business plan, an update on the commercial property market, and a financial statement. The City Surveyor introduced the report highlighting the MSCI statistics, overspend from the previous year and overall positive performance of the Department.

A Member commented on the continuing measurement of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 2 energy efficiency by energy consumption. Further to this a Member of the Board outlined the key elements required to improve buildings energy efficiency including, a carbon reduction plan, intensity measures and establishment of appropriate KPI’s. The City Surveyor explained the steps the Department was taking to action the 40% energy reduction plan namely the introduction of sub-metering, the appointment of external consultants JLL and education programme to service departments. In addition, it was noted that a 12% energy usage reduction had been achieved at the Guildhall with a similar level of reduction targeted for at other sites.

The Chair of the Board queried what measurements the City Surveyor’s Department took for air quality within buildings. The City Surveyor explained that the Department did not have a specific monitoring system in place for measuring air quality within buildings which it manages it did measure some key factors including harmful particulates and carbon monoxide levels. A Member of the Board noted that while the collecting of data regarding air quality was important it was also key to use this data appropriately to effectively manage the risks. The Chair requested officers develop proposals for improving air quality within buildings the City of London Corporation manages.

Members noted that the issue of reducing energy usage and renewability was a wider issue which would encompass the work of a number of Committees commenting that it was important to challenge these Committees to engage with the issue of renewability. Further to this Members agreed that an informal strategy session for the Members of the Property Investment Board and the Corporate Asset Sub-Committee would be useful to consider a joint policy on the building sustainability.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.